California governor and former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger backed out of his planned address at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. Schwarzenegger blamed a budget battle in Sacramento as the reason why he could not attend the Convention, which had already been curtailed due to concern over Hurricane Gustav.The Associated Press: Schwarzenegger Misses Convention Speech (August 31, 2008)

Schwartzeneggar gave his first major national address at the 2004 Republican Convention in New York City. The following is an excerpt from that speech.

• "Now, many of you out there tonight are "Republican" like me in your hearts and in your beliefs. Maybe you're from Guatemala. Maybe you're from the Philippines. Maybe Europe or the Ivory Coast. Maybe you live in Ohio, Pennsylvania or New Mexico. And maybe, just maybe, you don't agree with this party on every single issue. I say to you tonight I believe that's not only okay, that's what's great about this country. Here we can respectfully disagree and still be patriotic, still be American and still be good Republicans."Newsday.com: Text of Arnold Schwarzenegger speech (August 31, 2004)