Schwarzenegger Walks Back Claim That Obama Is "Scrawny"

On ABC's "This Week," California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger backpedals from his campaign-trail joke that Obama has "scrawny little arms":

"Look, I've seen him playing basketball. He's a better basketball player than I am. But I think that no one should take that joke that seriously, because Columbus, Ohio, is the place where they have the world championships in lifting and in body building every year. And so ... you talk about body and legs and skinny and all -- pumping up, and all of those kind of things. So this was not meant to be an insult in any way. It was meant to be to lighten up the place and to make everyone laugh a little bit."

Comments

[invisible]

04:23 PM on 11/17/2008

I actually took Schwarzene­ggar's comments about Obama in that moment as a compliment­. He really didn't disrespect him on a substantiv­e level at all and instead cracked a couple of jokes. And how far could he go, really? It's not like HIS WIFE ISN'T ONE OF OBAMA'S BIGGEST ADVOCATES!­!! Let's cut The Governator a little slack on this one.

[Scarlett Luv]

03:43 PM on 11/17/2008

I've been reading a lot of comments on huffington post because I thought it was funny to listen to everyone, but now the trash talk over little things is getting old. I am an african american woman, who myself thinks Obama was scrawny, so I found the joke funny. Some of my closest friends are like that and we poked fun. Its rediculous to stoop down to hate levels over something like that. Of all the comments made people are attacking him over something thats funny. Being from Ohio I don't know how he is as a governor. But given the fact I'm more concerned about Obama's life with all the hate that was spread, calling him scrawny at a Republican rally, was actually funny to me.

[Kiabell04]

03:36 PM on 11/17/2008

Arnold could use a few minutes in the gym himself...­.he's not the Terminator anymore. Looks like he could use some tips from Obama on how to look good in a swimsuit.

[cgoodie]

03:14 PM on 11/17/2008

It was a joke! I thought it was funny and as he said "lightened things up" during a very scary, intense time in the race. I think subliminal­ly, he was saying, the worse thing I can say about Obama is that he needs to "pump it up" a bit. I like Arnie. Would love it if Maria could convert him over to Dems

[mivogo]

03:08 PM on 11/17/2008

I happen to like Arnold, but the truth is if he didn't pump himself full of steroids, he never would be Governor (world-cha­mpion body-build­er to movie star to Governor)

[cjgnew]

03:39 PM on 11/17/2008

Touché!

Carlos Jean-Gille­s
Saint Louis, MO

[stgadt]

02:55 PM on 11/17/2008

Saw the show on Sunday - I thought he was quite good. Refreshing to hear a Republican so moderate and common sense. As for whether he has done a good or bad job in CA, unfortunat­ely I cannot comment; wish I lived in California­.

[shirleen01]

02:42 PM on 11/17/2008

Arnold needs to shut up! I've seen his flabby side.

[shirleen01]

02:40 PM on 11/17/2008

I bet his wife is thinking about leaving him.

[cjgnew]

03:51 PM on 11/17/2008

Not if he can still pump it up where it counts! You know where...
By the broad smile that's usually on her face, I'd bet he can.
Hope that won't be too saucy to be posted! After all, I wouldn't
want to lose my posting privilege on this site. Besides, I have
a heck of an excuse lined up--I am half French, and they pretty
much let everything loose on the Riviera, if you get my drift.

Carlos Jean-Gille­s
Saint Louis, MO

[ellawensmom]

04:05 PM on 11/17/2008

Okay, I saw the Diddy post during breakfast and had that ruined. Now this comment just ruined my lunch.
Huffington Post: My new diet tool.

[shirleen01]

02:39 PM on 11/17/2008

You said, now stand up to it! You;re not getting in on the Obama goods..to late..the damage is done! Now and start some more fires.

[rbenjamin]

01:51 PM on 11/17/2008

Arnold is talking way outside the Republican box these days. Is he thinking of jumping ship and going independen­t? Or even (gasp) ratting to the Democrats?

[huffyfan2]

02:44 PM on 11/17/2008

He's had to, due to learning the hard way a few years ago when all his inissuetiv­es went up in flames. He wasted too much of CA's money. It was an expensive lesson.

[USA1776]

01:26 PM on 11/17/2008

What happened to the Governator fitting ALL our National Guard planes to fight wildfires. He promised to do it after last fire season. Firefighte­rs need more air support in LA right now!!!!!

[vinceoffer]

01:23 PM on 11/17/2008

Thankfully Ah-nuld will never be president.

[VSamuels]

01:00 PM on 11/17/2008

It is amazing the level of respect accorded to an incoming President and a sitting senator; Schwarzene­gger is a gifted politician in his own right and he recognizes that it doesn't make good sense to be antagonizi­ng the future leader of the free world. Contrast this to Palin who can't seem to figure out in a single sentence if she wants to be complement­ary or rude to PE Obama.

The good news is that Caroline and Maria seem close and this might make for some interestin­g coming together(s­) of perhaps Schwarzene­gger in an Obama cabinet as Energy Sec.? But, what the heck do I, know?

[UCLAdy04]

02:16 PM on 11/17/2008

lol...now just what has Schwarzene­gger done to be even remotely qualified to serve in any position in the Obama cabinet, let alone Energy Sec? As a California­n I am embarrasse­d everytime this man opens up his mouth. I can't think of one dignified or classy moment from Arnold since he has been governor, I can only hope he gets voted out in the next election.

[JDoorjam]

02:40 PM on 11/17/2008

Isn't he termed out?

[RedWhiteandBrooklyn]

02:40 PM on 11/17/2008

Plus, Arnold is a LOUSY tipper, unlike his wife.

[trendier]

12:49 PM on 11/17/2008

I don't know how much more upset I can get with this man. He has the audacity to propse an increase on veterinary care. I read this yesterday while I was at dog beach in orange county. Oh my dog, the outrage! What will I do it's going to break me with the added expense for my two dogs(Boo and Phoebe) and a rabbit (Kiwi). :(

[TheNuff]

01:02 PM on 11/17/2008

I've been to dog beach. Awesome place.

[JaneQCitizen]

12:45 PM on 11/17/2008

I find it odd that Schwarzene­gger's still has such a strong accent.

My mother is German. After 20 years in the US speaking English, her accent is very soft.

[TheNuff]

01:04 PM on 11/17/2008

My mom has been here for 30 years. Her accent is just as strong as ever. She still has many friend from the same island and regularly hears her familiar West Indian lit from others around her.

[maggiee]

03:38 PM on 11/17/2008

Some people lose them, some people don't. It varies from person to person. It's funny, it has nothing to do with your ability to use the language correctly, it has more to do with how "hardened" your palatte is when you start speaking a new language.