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CALIFORNIA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger threw his support behind John McCain`s presidential bid today, handing the Republican front-runner a prized endorsement ahead of the state`s key primary.

Schwarzenegger said he was backing Senator McCain after touring a solar technology plant in Los Angeles together with the Arizona senator and former Republican contender Rudolph Giuliani. Former Hollywood action hero Schwarzenegger said he was endorsing Senator McCain because of his positions on the economy, the environment and security.

"He`s a crusader, has a great vision in protecting the environment and also protecting simultaneously the economy," Schwarzenegger said.

"He has incredible credentials in national security and of course, he is a fantastic, outstanding public servant.

"He is a great American hero and an extraordinary leader. This is why I am endorsing him to be our next president of the United States."

Senator McCain welcomed Schwarzenegger`s endorsement, describing the Austrian-born former champion bodybuilder as an embodiment of the American dream.

"He came to this country with not very much except his strengths, his talents and his ambition and he is now the governor of the largest state in America," Senator McCain said.

"He serves as a role model and a guide to millions of Americans and people throughout the world.

"And that`s why I`m doubly honored by this great, great American success story that`s taken the time an the effort to endorse my candidacy and help me on the road to the presidency of the United States."

Schwarzenegger`s endorsement comes just five days from "Super Tuesday" on February 5, when California and 20 other US states hold nominating contests that could well seal Senator McCain`s outright victory.

California is one of the key battlegrounds in the race to the White House, offering a rich harvest of delegates for Republican contenders.

Recent polls show Senator McCain leading nearest rival former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by a double-digit margin in California.

Senator McCain has surged clear of his rivals this week after scoring a crucial victory in Wednesday`s Florida primary.

His campaign received another lift yesterday when former New York mayor Giuliani exited the Republican race and declared his support for Senator McCain.

Schwarzenegger said he had decided against endorsing a candidate as long as long-time friends Senator McCain and Mr Giuliani remained in the race.

Mr Giuliani`s exit yesterday had cleared the way for his endorsement of Senator McCain, he said.

Schwarzenegger has been one of the stars of the Republican party in recent years, where his liberal views have often put him at odds with the conservative mainstream as well as the Bush administration.

He was one of the few Republican success stories during the 2006 mid-term elections, scoring a crushing landslide victory in California, a traditional Democratic stronghold.

Although admirers have suggested he would have been a formidable presidential candidate, the US constitution forbids foreign-born nationals from running for the White House.

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