aRNOLD Schwarzenegger will depart public office today, ending a seven-year stint as the "Governator" of California that has sharply divided opinion. His replacement, Jerry Brown, a Democrat who was also governor from 1975 to 1983, will be sworn in amid uncertainty over what the former Hollywood actor and bodybuilder will do next. Having taken the helm of the troubled state declaring "failure is not an option", Mr Schwarzenegger, 63, leaves with an approval rating of just 22 per cent and a tripled $28 billion (?18 billion) budget deficit. His decision to focus on tackling climate change was criticised by opponents and commentators who said he should have prioritised fixing the state's economy, the eighth largest in the world. The departure of the Terminator actor, which comes amid fears that California could become insolvent, has prompted headlines in the US media such as "Hasta la vista, failure". Yet it is thought that Mr Schwarzenegger is keen to press on with efforts to reduce global warming, possibly taking on a role as an independent statesman akin to that of al Gore, the former US vice-president. "There are a lot of important things that I want to say," he has said on Twitter. "My struggle for reform will continue, my belief in environmental issues and in protecting the environment will continue." It is also presumed that Mr Schwarzenegger will seek to make money in publishing and public speaking, having spent $25million (?16million) of his own in two election campaigns. Cartoon: Page 18 The Telegraph The highs and lows of Schwarzenegger's reign telegraph.co.uk/world