Schwarzenegger Stumps for McCain in Columbus

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger put aside his appeals to post-partisan politics on Friday in favor of taking up John McCain’s party line during a campaign rally for McCain in Columbus, Ohio, but some of that message seemed to conflict with Schwarzenegger’s own practices in office.

AP via SFGate.com:

“I think there will be a backlash against all of this lopsided spending,” Schwarzenegger proclaimed at a campaign rally in Columbus.

And he knows something about lavish spending.

In California, the bodybuilder-turned actor-turned politician has become the most prolific political fundraiser in state history. He has used his Hollywood status to rake in at least $132 million since he launched his gubernatorial bid in 2003.

In addition, Schwarzenegger has taken in hundreds of thousands of dollars from influential friends and companies that have sponsored overseas trips and conferences.

In his current campaign for a ballot initiative to take the power to draw legislative districts away from state lawmakers, Schwarzenegger and his allies had spent $12 million through Oct. 18 — outspending their opponents by a ratio of 10-to-1.

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