Arnold Schwarzenegger

Early politics
Schwarzenegger has been a registered Republican for many years. As an actor, his political views were always well-known as they contrasted with those many other prominent Hollywood stars, who are generally considered to be a liberal and Democratic-leaning community. At the 2004 Republican National Convention, Schwarzenegger gave a speech and explained why he was a Republican:
I finally arrived here in 1968. What a special day it was. I remember I arrived here with empty pockets but full dreams, full determination, full desire. The presidential campaign was in full swing. I remember watching the Nixon-Humphrey presidential race on TV. A friend mine who spoke German and English translated for me. I heard Humphrey saying things that sounded like socialism, which I had just left.
But then I heard Nixon speak. He was talking about free enterprise, getting the government f your back, lowering the taxes and strengthening the military. Listening to Nixon speak sounded more like a breath fresh air. I said to my friend, I said, "What party is he?" My friend said, "He's a Republican." I said, "Then I am a Republican." And I have been a Republican ever since.