Schwarzenegger in Political Role?

“Judgment Day is inevitable,” Arnold Schwarzenegger says about a quarter of the way through “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” That cracked up the audience at Loews Cineplex in Universal City on Wednesday, maybe because it raised the question:

What about Election Day, Arnold?

With Schwarzenegger considered a potential Republican candidate for governor given the threatened recall of Gov. Gray Davis, politics sneaked into theaters on “T3’s” opening day, adding a new frame of reference to the Terminator’s robotic, violent quest to save the world.

“Awesome,” said 18-year-old Jason Levine of Tarzana as he emerged from the cool of the theater into a blast of San Fernando Valley heat. “He’d be way better than Gray Davis.”

Who ever said that after a Vin Diesel movie?

Still, while most first-day theatergoers seemed to give “T3” a big thumbs-up, plenty of them were skeptical, or at least noncommittal, about the prospect of Schwarzenegger in the real-life role of governor.

“He seems up-to-date,” was the cautious assessment of Richard Smith, a BMW car salesman who saw the movie at Magic Johnson Theatres in the Crenshaw district. “We just have to see how he’ll stand on certain policies.”

At Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, substitute teacher John Walsh set out to derail the Arnold for Governor campaign before it could even begin, asking theatergoers to sign a petition begging Schwarzenegger not to quit making movies.

“He’s too gorgeous, too masculine, too sexy to be involved in ugly politics in Sacramento!” shouted Walsh, who is well known in local political circles for his sometimes outlandish protests aimed at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Tourists, looking baffled, snapped some photos and continued on.

“Ugly people in Sacramento!” Walsh continued. “Beautiful people on the silver screen!”

After about an hour, he had collected four signatures. One was his own. Another belonged to Norm Swirn, a friend of Walsh who held a banner that read: “Oscar for Arnold in 2004.” The other two represented something less than a groundswell of support for the notion, expressed in the petition, that “we prefer anyone for California governor but you, Arnold. Pleeeeez!!!!!”

Inevitably, Schwarzenegger drew comparisons to Ronald Reagan, whose acting career led him eventually into politics and the governor’s office, then the presidency.

“C’mon, all actors make good politicians. Everyone knows that,” said Rico Starks of Los Angeles as he left the Universal City theater, raising his cell phone to his ear.

“Reagan did a great job as president,” said Gail Koupas of Lompoc. “Who said an actor can’t be president?”

In the case of Schwarzenegger, the Constitution says he can’t be. As a native of Austria, he is barred from running for the presidency, although nothing bars him from running for governor of California.

Nor has his career path closely paralleled Reagan’s. For starters, he is a far bigger box office draw than Reagan ever was -- and, perhaps as a result, has far less experience in politics than Reagan had when he first ran for governor in 1966 after years of political speaking.

Still, Schwarzenegger has been involved in public policy, notably as the leading backer of Proposition 49, the successful initiative to expand funding for after-school programs, which seems to have softened his Terminator image, at least among some moviegoers. (He is pitted in the film against a villainous Terminatrix who hacks into the Los Angeles school district’s computer system to find her intended victims.)

“Arnold Schwarzenegger is a good role model because he’s focused on the kids so much,” said Anthony Glover, 25, who was walking out of Magic Johnson Theatres. “Hopefully, his speeches will be better than,” slipping into his best impersonation of, “ ‘I’ll be back.’ ”

The strongest expressions of support Wednesday for Schwarzenegger’s political aspirations came from moviegoers who weren’t yet born when Reagan won his last election in 1984.

“I think Arnold will bring a younger crowd into politics,” said Alex Whitlow, 18, of Sherman Oaks. “People would totally start watching press conferences if Arnold runs.”

The harsh realities of politics emerged from Grauman’s in the form of Anthony Jackson, who assayed Schwarznegger’s political future.

“I think he would be a good governor,” said Jackson, 45. “He’s a good guy.”

So, would he vote for him?

“Is he a Republican or a Democrat?” Jackson asked.

Told that Schwarzenegger is a Republican, Jackson demurred. “No,” he said, “I’m a Democrat.”

Gene Routh Jr., a Lakewood resident who restores vintage cars, said he thought Schwarzenegger’s movie career was washed up, causing him to look to politics.

“I think eventually, no matter what, he’ll have to get out of acting and into politics,” said Routh, 32. “People won’t accept him if he gets thinner, weaker or older. This is his last stand as an action hero.”

And Routh, a Democrat, said he would support him if he runs for governor.

His father, with whom he was attending the movie, disagreed that Schwarzenegger was over the hill. “He’s such an important part of the movie industry. He makes $30 million a film,” he said. “I think he should stay an actor.”

To quote the opening lines of “T3”: “The future has not been written. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.”

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Times staff writers Mitchell Landsberg and Joel Rubin contributed to this report.