Los Angeles, July 28: US action star and politician-in-waiting Arnold Schwarzenegger is still deciding whether or not to run for the post of governor of the state of California, an advisor said. The comments came amid intense speculation over whether the Austrian-born star of the "Terminator" movies will run for the state's top job when special early elections take place on October 7 to unseat incumbent Gray Davis. "Arnold spent the weekend continuing his due diligence regarding a possible run," said his political advisor George Gorton, denying media reports that the actor had decided against running. "He has made no decision at this time. He will continue to weigh the pros and cons with his family and will continue to seek the council of supporters and colleagues," Gorton said. Republican Schwarzenegger, along with other potential candidates, must announce his candidacy to run for Governor by August 9 in order to qualify for the polls which were triggered by Governor Davis' Republican foes.

But an unnamed aide of the tough-guy actor was quoted by a Los Angeles news service as saying Schwarzenegger -- whose wife Maria Shriver is part of the Democratic Kennedy Clan -- was not inclined to run for governor.
"He is leaning against a run," said the assistant who requested anonymity. "But he's made no final determination," the aide said adding that the decision could come as soon as the end of this week or early next week.
Bureau Report