Schwarzenegger Could be No-Show at GOP Convention

When the Republican convention opens Monday night, its prime-time lineup could be missing one of its biggest draws: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger is vowing to remain in California if lawmakers there fail to reach agreement on a state budget, now two months overdue. “I made it very clear to Sen. McCain when I spoke to him yesterday and I made it very clear to his people that I am honored to be asked to speak at the convention … and that I would be honored to do anything to help him win the presidency, but that the state of California and the budget is the most important thing,” Schwarzenegger says. “So that if I don’t have a budget, I cannot speak at the convention.” A budget deal by showtime seems unlikely at this point, potentially costing Schwarzenegger a national platform and McCain a high-profile supporter who has been popular with the kind of independent voter McCain hopes to attract. Schwarzenegger’s absence also would be ... (link)