At least his sense of humor doesn’t have a tumor!
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t letting little things like an embarrassing out-of-wedlock baby or a slow, painful, public divorce get him down.
The action star-turned-governator poked fun at himself today at the University of Southern California, before sitting on a panel about the the growing rift in partisan politics.
While Schwarzenegger’s schtick steered clear of his split from Maria Shriver or the baby he had with a longtime maid, he still had plenty of material:
–The one-time Mr. Universe said he’s frequently misidentified as a Miss Universe winner: “Different bikinis, waxing, all those things. I did not win that competition. It’s Mr. Universe.”
–About 300 Southern Cal students were turned away at the doors, because they couldn’t all fit. The “Kindergarten Cop” star apologized and comically explained: “Anyone below 10-percent body fat was allowed to come in here. It’s the only way I come up with a way to select people (to come inside).”
–He thanked Southern Cal president Max Nikias, a native of Cyprus — who, like Schwarzenegger, speaks with a thick accent — for his opening remarks. The former governor observed: “I’m looking forward to appearing together over and over, all over the world and leaving audiences scratching their heads and saying, ‘What the hell did he just say?’”
The governator then sat down with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and ABC News’ Cokie Roberts.
The event marked the beginning of USC’s newest think tank, the Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy.