Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, who has endorsed Senator John McCain and called his fellow Republican a role model, suggested in an interview that he would be willing to serve as an energy and environment czar under Barack Obama should he win the presidency.

Schwarzenegger said that whether he held a position in an Obama administration or not, he planned on travelling the world to promote clean energy after his tenure as governor. He also indicated that he was not pursuing a cabinet job.

“I’m always ready to help in any way I can,” Schwarzenegger said in the interview, adding, “I’ve committed myself to public service.”

Schwarzenegger endorsed McCain in January, in part for what he called McCain’s “great vision in protecting the environment.” But Obama, a Democrat, has praised Schwarzenegger’s efforts against climate change in California and mentioned his name in discussions of possible cabinet officers.

That apparently prompted George Stephanopoulos, the moderator of the interview, to ask Schwarzenegger whether he would take a phone call from Obama if he was calling with an offer to be his energy and environment czar.

“I’d take his call now, and I’d take his call when he’s president — any time,” Schwarzenegger said. “Remember, no matter who is president, I don’t see this as a political thing. I see this as we always have to help, no matter what the administration is.”

Schwarzenegger also offered some praise for Obama, saying he disagreed with people who have criticised the senator as a flip-flopper.

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