{"id":3393,"date":"2025-10-19T18:01:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T18:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/?p=3393"},"modified":"2025-10-19T18:01:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T18:01:33","slug":"arnold-schwarzenegger-says-he-remains-a-traditional-republican-as-he-reflects-on-partys-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/?p=3393","title":{"rendered":"Arnold Schwarzenegger Says He Remains a \u201cTraditional Republican\u201d as He Reflects on Party\u2019s Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a candid appearance on HBO\u2019s Real Time<\/em>, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed his political identity in today\u2019s shifting landscape, telling host Bill Maher that while the Republican Party has changed, his values remain rooted in what he calls \u201ctraditional Republican\u201d principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maher pressed Schwarzenegger on whether the ideals that originally drew him to the Republican Party still match the party\u2019s modern direction. Without hesitation, the former governor acknowledged the evolution: \u201cThings change. It\u2019s very clear that it has changed. I\u2019m a traditional Republican.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Honoring Historical Republican Values<\/span><\/h3>\n

Schwarzenegger took a moment to highlight the legacy of historical Republican leaders he admires, referencing Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan among others. He pointed to milestones in American history \u2014 including the end of slavery and voting rights for Black Americans \u2014 as key achievements linked to past Republican leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

While reflecting on these accomplishments, he emphasized that change within a political party does not mean individuals must abandon their core beliefs. \u201cThe party has changed now\u2026but that doesn\u2019t mean that we have to change,\u201d<\/strong> he said. \u201cWe have to work to bring back the philosophy.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A Personal Journey from Austria to American Politics<\/span><\/h3>\n

Maher brought up Schwarzenegger\u2019s early life in post-war Austria, recalling his 2004 Republican National Convention speech about witnessing the realities of occupation and centralized control. Schwarzenegger said that when he came to the United States, he didn\u2019t fully understand the party system but gravitated toward Republican ideas after hearing leaders like President Richard Nixon speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople should know that it is important that we serve the people, not the parties,\u201d<\/strong> he said, reflecting on his years governing California.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Call for Collaboration Over Division<\/span><\/h3>\n

Schwarzenegger spoke warmly about bipartisan cooperation during his time in Sacramento, recalling how he made it a priority to work respectfully across party lines. \u201cI may think differently than you sometimes, but you are not my enemy,\u201d<\/strong> he remembered telling Democratic lawmakers.<\/span><\/p>\n

He argued that meaningful policy comes from collaboration, not confrontation. \u201cWith the Republican brain and with the Democratic brain together, we\u2019ve got the ultimate ability to get things done.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Maher noted that California\u2019s political environment is unique, often allowing more room for moderate voices. Schwarzenegger agreed but maintained that the principle of dialogue should apply everywhere. \u201cWe have to talk to each other rather than turning away. That\u2019s what people want and need.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/span><\/h3>\n

Schwarzenegger also took pride in supporting California\u2019s independent redistricting commission \u2014 a reform aimed at reducing partisan influence in drawing electoral maps \u2014 a system now facing new challenges under current political leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

Across the conversation, Schwarzenegger\u2019s message was steady: political identity should serve the public good, not deepen divisions. Even as his party moves in new directions, he remains committed to the principles that first inspired his political journey \u2014 pragmatism, civic duty, and cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a political climate often defined by sharp divides, his message stood out clearly: leadership, at its core, is about working together.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a candid appearance on HBO\u2019s Real Time, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed his political identity in today\u2019s shifting landscape, telling host Bill Maher that while the Republican Party has changed, his values remain rooted in what he calls \u201ctraditional Republican\u201d principles. Maher pressed Schwarzenegger on whether the ideals that originally drew him to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3393\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}