NYT/Reuters: Schwarzenegger Tells Leno Link to Bush Is "Ridiculous"
By REUTERS
Published: October 11, 2006
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger distanced himself from President George W. Bush on national television on Wednesday, saying he was as far from his fellow Republican as he was from winning an Academy Award during his film career.
"To link me to George Bush is like linking me to an Oscar,'' the former bodybuilder and Hollywood action star joked during an appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.'' ''That's ridiculous.''
It was Schwarzenegger's fifth guest spot on the late-night comedy show since he used a 2003 appearance on the program to announce his first campaign for public office in 2003.
The governor's Democratic challenger in his bid for a second term, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, complained NBC was snubbing him while unfairly giving Schwarzenegger valuable media exposure weeks before the election.
A spokesman for the Angelides campaign accused NBC of violating federal rules that generally require broadcasters to give opposing candidates equal time....
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-leno.html