Arnold Schwarzenegger has explained why he continues to identify as a Republican despite disagreements with the party’s current direction. He also criticized both parties over their failure to address major national issues and stressed the importance of working across party lines to address problems affecting Americans.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel asked Schwarzenegger whether he still considered himself a Republican. The actor replied, “Yeah, I’m a Republican. Absolutely.” Jimmy Kimmel then questioned what that label meant in today’s political climate.
Schwarzenegger explained, “A traditional Republican is someone that admires the Republican party for having freed the slaves.” He also mentioned the party’s role in granting enslaved people citizenship and voting rights formerly. Kimmel suggested that those values now seemed at odds with what the Republican Party represented. Arnold responded, “Yeah, but it doesn’t mean that I have to change my philosophy.”
He added, I have my philosophy, you know,
He added, “I have my philosophy, you know, the Ronald Reagan philosophy, who created the Air Resources Board in California so that we can regulate our own air and reduce our greenhouse gases and pollution in California. That was done by Ronald Reagan, by a Republican. Nixon created the EPA, so which was a Republican, and he created the Environmental Protection Agency to protect our environment, the water and the air and all. So those are the kind of Republicans that used to go and work together with the Democrats and got things done. This is the kind of Republican that I am.”
Schwarzenegger says both parties have failed to deliver on key issues
Arnold Schwarzenegger also questioned the records of Democrats and Republicans. Referring to the midterm election results, he described the Democratic gains as a “blue wave.” However, he argued that neither party had delivered meaningful progress. He said, “None of them did true immigration reform…none of them participated in reducing our debt, none of them created a healthcare system where everyone is insured.”
Kimmel also brought up Obamacare, which Schwarzenegger called a “good attempt” that was ultimately “bogus.” He argued, “If the Democrats do something by themselves, or if the Republicans do something by themselves, it’s bogus.” Drawing on his experience as California governor from 2003 to 2011, he called for bipartisan cooperation.
Arnold Schwarzenegger believes politicians should prioritize public service over party loyalty.
