Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited troops in Iraq today for the first time as governor at Camp Victory, just outside of Baghdad, according to spokesman Aaron McLear and video from the Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs.
Schwarzenegger gave a six-minute speech designed to motivate the troops. He delivered cigars, signed autographs and told them he'd return Tuesday morning to work out with some of them before breakfast.
"I just wanted to let you know how much we in the United States appreciate the work you are doing," Schwarzenegger said in his speech. "Now I know you are thinking many times, why am I here, what am I doing? Maybe you're not making the kind of progress sometimes that you wish you would make here. But don't ever get discouraged. There's no one I know that doesn't sometimes ask themselves that question, why am I doing this, is it worth it?"
The governor added, "Now I have been a world champion in bodybuilding 13 times. And I ask myself many times on that way up, why am I doing this, 5, 6, 7 hours of training every day? Why am I on this strict diet? Why am I running every day? ... But you know something, in the end, you've got to fight through it, you've got to fight through it and you've got to inspire each other."
Schwarzenegger mentioned that he appreciated the work the troops do, particularly as an immigrant who came to the U.S. to enjoy its freedom and liberty. He won cheers when he somewhat jokingly bemoaned that if he were not an immigrant, "maybe I would be running for president or something like that."
AFP/Getty Images - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hugs a U.S. soldier during his visit to Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad on Monday. Schwarzenneger flew into Iraq on a morale-boosting visit for the troops, drawing cheers from servicemen and women.
AFP/Getty Images - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to the troops as a U.S. soldier holds up a copy of a magazine fronting a younger Schwarzenegger as a body builder.
AFP/Getty Images - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger shakes hands with U.S. soldiers during his visit to Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad on Monday.
AFP/Getty Images - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to U.S. troops during his visit to Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad on Monday.
Also in the video, Schwarzenegger mentions that he was once a tank driver himself in the Austrian army and that he had driven a Bradley tank when he visited Iraq in 2003. The governor was accompanied by a few staff, including communications director Matt David, deputy chief of staff Will Fox and assistant Daniel Ketchell.
The governor visited Israel on Sunday for the Saban Forum to discuss global climate change. The trip for Schwarzenegger and several staff members is being paid for by the California State Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit financed by business groups. The governor also has a California Highway Patrol detail with him in Iraq, although spokeswoman Fran Clader said CHP would not release its costs or other staffing details.
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