Schwarzenegger Backs Obama on Health Care, Stimulus

Arnold Schwarzenegger had a private chat with Barack Obama yesterday, following a National Governors Association meeting at the White House, and crossed party lines to back the president for the second time in as many days. He applauded Obama for bringing Republicans into the health care discussion, and chided Republicans for demanding that Democrats throw out their bill and start over. “I think any Republican that says you should start from scratch, I think that’s bogus talk, and that’s partisan talk,” he said.

Schwarzenegger also praised the stimulus package, saying it “has been very successful so far.” On Sunday he chided politicians who decry the law, yet are quick to embrace the projects it funds. Schwarzenegger was the only governor to score a private meeting with Obama after the governors' event. He says they discussed many issues, but particularly the economy. “It was truly encouraging to see him so interested in talking about job creation,” he said. (More Arnold Schwarzenegger stories.)