Schwarzenegger Raises Cash for (After School) Campaign

[LauraK]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Arnold Schwarzenegger is displaying formidable fund-raising skills as speculation mounts he is planning to make a bid to replace Gov. Gray Davis in a recall campaign.

In twin "Terminator 3" events last month, Schwarzenegger used his star power to help raise $421,000 to erase campaign debts from an after-school programs initiative he championed, records show.

Political analysts say the feat could serve him well if he decides to run for Davis' job.

"If there were a looming campaign debt, that might be a distraction from a gubernatorial campaign. By settling the debt, he removes the distraction and demonstrates his fund-raising ability," said John Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College.
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