Arnold Schwarzenegger enjoyed a doubly green day in New York yesterday, promoting measures against global warming and collecting hefty campaign checks at a fundraiser hosted by Mayor Bloomberg.
Both Bloomberg and Gov. Pataki found time to hook up with the California governor, who is a strong favorite for re-election over Democratic challenger Phil Angelides.
Analysts say Schwarzenegger’s plan to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020, or 25 percent, has undercut Angelides, who has the backing of major environmental groups.
Schwarzenegger made the most of his environmental crusade by visiting the “carbon emission” trading desk at Credit Suisse with Bloomberg, and touring a “green” apartment tower in Battery Park City with Pataki.
Despite pressing for reductions in global warming, Schwarzenegger defended the proliferation of SUVs in the United States.
“I think people in America enjoy big SUVs. But we must make sure we have alternative-powered vehicles, rather than just living off fossil fuel,” he said.
Bloomberg aides referred questions about how much was raised last night to Schwarzenegger’s campaign, which didn’t provide any figures.