With ballot measures he supports heading to defeat today, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) might have thought he'd have an easier go of things in Washington today. As he addressed White House reporters, he claimed a large share of credit for the new fuel emissions accord that was promoted today.

"As the president said, if it wouldn't have been for the great leadership of our great state, this would have never happened," he said.

But the very first question he faced offered no additional opportunity to claim a political victory, as he was asked why he chose to be in Washington instead of at home.

"I did vote by absentee, and I'm looking forward to the outcome tonight," he said. "I will be back tomorrow morning to bring back the good news of what happened here today."

Californians are voting on a slate of initiatives meant to shore up the Golden State's troubled finances. According to the Los Angeles Times, the initiatives would boost the rainy day fund, invoke a spending cap and extend recent tax hikes, among other steps. Most are headed for defeat, according to polls, except for an initiative to ban pay increases for state lawmakers in lean budget times.

"We always respect the will of the people. ... We don't know what the outcome of the election - tomorrow we will analyze that - but today we are going to go and celebrate this great victory," he repeated.

President Obama did praise Schwarzenegger in his Rose Garden remarks, but even he seemed to pick on the former action star as he introduced the three governors in attendance.

"Let me take them in order of good looks -- sorry, Arnold," the president joked, listing him behind Govs. Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.) and Deval Patrick (D-Mass.) Payback, perhaps, after Schwarzenegger mocked Obama's "skinny legs" and "scrawny arms" during the presidential campaign.