Beatty for Governor?

Warren Beatty says he won't rule out running for governor of California, and he thinks he could do a better job than Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"I don't think anyone should ever rule public service out," Beatty said. "It's a way of saying, 'Take me out of the mix and don't listen to me anymore.' "

The actor made the remark after giving a commencement address at the University of California Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy. Beatty, who has been involved in politics for years, entertained the idea of running for the presidency six years ago.

Beatty, 68, said he has "a real soft spot for actors even if they are right wing" and has always liked Schwarzenegger. But Schwarzenegger is a politician who should "rise to the higher level of that calling," Beatty said, and not denigrate fellow politicians by mocking them as "girlie men," as the governor did of Democratic lawmakers.

"Can't we accept that devotion to the building of the body politic is more complex and a little more sensitive than devotion to bodybuilding?" Beatty asked.

Schwarzenegger deputy press secretary Vince Sollitto said of the criticism: "I'm sure it's nothing personal. Warren's just mad at Republicans because he's afraid they're cutting off his Social Security."