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Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Kasich.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich told Business Insider on Monday that he was "very honored" by movie star and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsing the Ohio Republican for president again in 2020.Speaking to Business Insider while promoting his new book, "Two Paths: America Divided or United," Kasich said that he would get out of politics "for at least that year and a half" when his term as governor ends in early 2019. He was "not sure," however, if he will "come back" into politics, possibly as a presidential candidate in the upcoming election.
"I love Arnold," Kasich said. "What I thought about that? I thought, 'God, I don't know what the heck Arnold is doing saying these things.' No, I love Arnold. We've been friends for a very long time. And I was very honored by it."
"Look, in terms of my political future, I don't know," he continued. "I'm going to complete my job as governor, get out of politics for at least that year and a half. I'm not sure I'll come back in, but you can't always talk about the future. ... I just don't know."
If he were to seek higher office in the 2020 election, it's not clear whether Kasich would attempt to primary President Donald Trump as a Republican or launch an independent bid. Schwarzenegger, a longtime friend of Kasich's who endorsed the governor in his 2016 presidential bid, told The Los Angeles Times earlier this month that the Ohio Republican "should run in 2020, yes."
"Kasich is an extraordinary guy," Schwarzenegger said. "He's a man of substance. He's worked in Washington, he's worked in local government, he's worked on the statewide level. He has the experience. He can see things. He has a vision."
Schwarzenegger has publicly feuded with Trump during his presidency. Trump has launched attacks on Schwarzenegger on Twitter over ratings for the rebooted "Celebrity Apprentice" on NBC, which Schwarzenegger hosted. Schwarzenegger declined to host a second season of the show, citing the baggage that went along with it.
"He's also a moderate," Schwarzenegger said of Kasich. "He's a tough Republican and very fiscally conservative, but he also at the same time loves helping people."