Arnold For President
I have a dream candidate to be the next president of the United States—Arnold Schwarzenegger. He’s the man we need right now in the White House. What makes him so right? His central thesis is that Democrats and Republicans must work together and put our country ahead of each political party. ing together as a team can make America stronger. The current state of division between Americans is destroying the fabric of our society.
Current law bars Schwarzenegger from running (he was born in Austria, rather than the United States), but a constitutional amendment would allow him to toss his hat in the ring. And boy, is he perfect for the job. Forget where he was born—there’s nobody more American than Arnold Schwarzenegger!
I spent a day with Arnold in October in my offices in New York City. Arnold is a friend who I have known for nearly 30 years. He’s been to Cigar Aficionado events in California and New York. He’s been on our cover four times prior to this one. But this cover story is different from all the rest. All those other stories were features that focused on his background and whatever movie or show he was working on at the time. This one was a serious interview on how to fix America.
In this cover story, you get to read Arnold’s words. We sat down over well-aged Cuban cigars (he’s been smoking them since the 1970s) and began talking about the world, about America, about the importance of leadership and drive. The man is a remarkable success. He grew up in a home without running water in an Austrian village in the wake of World War II. His upbringing was strict, his father a tough man. Arnold developed an unstoppable desire to do something with his life. He forged his body and his mind to make both of them stronger. First, he won bodybuilding championships. Next, he became one of the biggest movie stars in the world, then governor of the largest of the United States.
You may know Arnold as The Terminator, but this Arnold is something different. Call him The Motivator. He’s the author of a new book, Be Useful, the creator of a daily newsletter called “Arnold’s Pump Club.” Both are designed to motivate and to improve people’s lives, to get them off the couch, shattering the bonds of procrastination. He’s a man with a vision, with a message, and the message is one of positivity, inspiration and hope.
This conversation is one I will not soon forget. Arnold’s plan for America and the world is one that left me yearning for this man to take charge of our country and bring our leaders together. It’s time to put aside the party politics that create division and move our country into the future in a more positive way.
Turn to page 50 to begin reading the interview. And be sure to visit cigaraficionado.com to watch video clips from our smoky, intriguing conversation. In a few weeks, video of the entire interview will be posted on our website, and it will also be on our YouTube channel. After watching it, I think you will be left with the same feeling that I have right now.
Arnold Schwarzenegger for president. Amend our constitution. He should run. He would win.
