SF Chronicle: (Arnold's) Debate barbs put gender gap in the spotlight

[Jack Rabbit]

From the San Francisco Chronicle
Dated Friday September 26

Debate barbs put gender gap in the spotlight
Actor's comments, tone to Huffington anger women
By Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, trying to make light of his cutting remarks to Arianna Huffington at Wednesday's gubernatorial debate, said Thursday he was only giving her a compliment when he told her, "I have a perfect part for you in 'Terminator 4' " and "You need a little more decaf."
The GOP front-runner in the recall election wanted to talk about the California economy and his platform at a town hall meeting in Los Angeles. But Schwarzenegger was grilled by Fox Radio's Sean Hannity, the host of the meeting, about Huffington's reaction to the actor's comments. She noted that the female lead in "Terminator 3" was the cyborg who got her head pushed into a toilet.
"The fact of the matter is, it was a compliment. Because in 'Terminator' we always had powerful women," Schwarzenegger responded. "If she takes it the wrong way, it's not my fault."
But Huffington, sipping a Starbucks extra grande ("It's caffeinated," she said with a smile), said Thursday that she has received an "absolutely amazing" outpouring of reaction from women -- 3,000 e-mails so far.

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Perhaps next time we see Arnold it will be next summer in another bad action flick.