Arnold: no regrets; Palin resurfaces

18 January 2011 |permalink | email article

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told a newspaper in his native Austria that serving as chief executive cost him at least $200 million. Counting expenses and lost income from acting in Hollywood films the bodybuilding star turned actor insisted “it was more than worth it.” Many will disagree.

“We hate your job,” Schwarzenegger told family members as saying during his early years away as governor. During his second term the Republican said he did better. “I tried to fly home every evening.” Question: who paid for the daily private jet?

Palin responds

The former Alaska governor, a Fox News contributor, on Monday night defended using the term “blood libel” to describe what she perceived as a rush to judgment by her critics for drawing a link between heated political rhetoric and the shooting that killed six people and wounded 14, including Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. She offered condolences to the victims and recited a Bible verse from the Book of Jeremiah.

Uncharacteristically quiet since the shooting she has been slow to join the national conversation over civility underway for more than a week. She appeared to dodge hard questions from a fawning Sean Hannity about whether she will enter the 2012 Republican presidential race. She has not yet among prospective candidates – even privately – inquired about scheduling a political visit. Could it be that falling poll numbers are giving her pause?

Quotable

Tom DeLay gets three years. Cue frantic tweeting from @The Hammer in the Slammer. — Crib Sheet, Henry Alford, New York Times. 

180