The Associated Press

Thu, Sep 4, 2008 (12:54 p.m.)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday said Sarah Palin hit a home run with her acceptance speech for the Republican vice presidential nomination.

The former actor says he was impressed with the Alaska governor's delivery before her largest audience ever.

"I think it was fantastic," Schwarzenegger said during a news conference in Burbank, where he was discussing the state's ongoing budget impasse. "She hit the ball out of the park."

Palin's speech Wednesday night was filled with jokes about being a hockey mom and criticism of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. She worked up the convention audience in St. Paul, Minn., and pushed back on questions regarding her qualifications for the job.

Schwarzenegger said Palin did well considering the scrutiny she has faced since being named to the ticket.

"She got such a beating this week, but the way she delivered the speech, the rhythm, it was a straight 10," Schwarzenegger said.

The fellow Republican characterized Palin as a real asset to GOP presidential nominee John McCain. The stalled budget talks forced Schwarzenegger to back out of his own speech to the convention delegates and remain in California this week.