Terminator's fave: Schwarenegger backs McCain

POWER BACKUP: Arnold appeared with McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who dropped out of the race on Wednesday.

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New Delhi: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed Republican candidate John McCain's bid for presidential nomination.

This gives McCain a boost in a state crucial in his drive to gain the nomination. Arnold appeared with McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who dropped out of the race on Wednesday.

He announced his support at a solar panel factory, a site picked to draw attention to McCain's argument that global warming is a challenge to be addressed.

California has voted Democratic candidates in last presidential elections.

Schwarzenegger cited McCain's ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans as a chief reason why he endorsed the Arizona senator.

Schwarzenegger's endorsement could be key to McCain winning California's delegates. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's endorsement of the Arizona senator was cited in exit polls as a key to his winning there. McCain solidly beat former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and gained momentum with the win.

Momentum is essential in a race like this, especially in the GOP, and it could trump other factors, including campaign donations, said Dr. Christopher Hull, a Georgetown University adjunct professor and author of "Grassroots Rules," a book on the presidential primary process.

"The party will coalesce around the front-runner to defeat the insurgent candidate," Hull said. "It is a loyalist party at its roots."

California represents an enormous prize for McCain, not only because of the 170 Republican delegates, but also because of Schwarzenegger's support base.

Though observers aren't privy to the level of access, Schwarzenegger's endorsement could come with e-mail, mailers and phone calls encouraging the governor's supporters to get behind McCain.