Is
Arnold the running man?
By Stephen
McGinty at www.scotsman.com
Tough-guy Arnold Schwarzenegger
is a man more familiar with the red carpets of a movie premiere than a white
collar business seminar, so the sight of the Terminator escorting Warren
Buffet, the second-richest man on the planet, to the European Economic Round
Table conference on Monday was slightly strange. His pressed business suit,
white shirt (atta boy Arnie) and sombre striped tie were a world away from the
army fatigues or black leather jacket of his signature roles, triggering
speculation that a career change may be just around the corner.
After a string of
flops - remember Eraser, End of Days and Collateral Damage? Probably not - the
actor needs next year’s Terminator 3 to hit pay dirt. Should the film nosedive
he plans to move into politics and run for the governorship of California, the
platform from which Ronald Reagan propelled himself into the White House. A
spokesman for NetJets, the corporate aircraft firm owned by Buffet - which
sponsored the seminar - insisted Arnie was an ordinary delegate, as well as a
customer, just there to listen. He was not there to talk nor paid to attend.
From the sidelines
it seems a slick piece of synergy by the billionaire Buffet: organize a lavish
conference at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, the ancestral home of the
Rothschild banking family, invite the world’s leading businessmen and
financiers, and dazzle them with a major Hollywood star. Schwarzenegger, an
astute businessman himself with a degree in business and economics from the
University of Wisconsin, gains the wisdom and knowledge of guest speakers such
as James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, Jorma Ollila, chief executive
of Nokia and Roland Berger, a prominent consultant in global strategy. After
two days of handshakes and drinks he’ll have boosted his credibility with the
men who may one day bankroll his political ambitions. He might well also point
out how happy he is with NetJets’ services. The company, whose other clients
include Pete Sampras and Martina Hingis, sell an eighth or a 16th of a private
jet to customers, entitling them to a certain number of flying hours without
the expense of maintaining ground crews and hanger space.
A Republican -
though one married to a Kennedy - Schwarzenegger signaled his support for Dubya
Bush in his choice of footwear. While his follow guests shuffled around in
their handmade Italian shoes, Arnie had the additional swagger bestowed by a
pair of black cowboy boots with stainless steel tips.
What appeared to
be a promotional stunt may instead be the actor’s next step towards joining the
President’s political posse.
