SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to flex his political power in New York next week. The governor is slated for a prime speaking spot at the Republican National Convention -- an invitation that has some party loyalists upset.

Schwarzenegger is part of a lineup of party stars meant to generate excitement for next week's convention. But some are grumbling about the president's decision to spotlight speakers like Schwarzenegger, instead of hard-line conservatives.

Schwarzenegger will have a national prime time audience next Tuesday in New York, when he delivers what aides call "a personal speech" to the Republican National Convention. It's the first of three high-profile days in New York, according to details released Wednesday.

"The key is, he's an action hero superstar. He's well-known. He's going to lend some excitement," said Republican consultant Richard Temple.

But does the star power pose a risk for President George W. Bush?

"This is the biggest star in the Republican Party. He probably overshadows President Bush. He'd be a candidate if not for this business about being foreign-born," said Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, a Democrat.

The governor's spokesman, Rob Stutzman, scoffs at the notion.

"I've never seen a national convention where the nominee's been 'overshadowed.' I think the campaign wants star power every night," Stutzman said.

The governor is among a list of moderates scheduled to speak, including John McCain, which doesn't please conservative elements of the party who dislike Schwarzenegger's support of abortion rights and gun control.

"This is apparently some move the Bush administration, Bush campaign wants to make in order to promote their campaign," said Rep. John Doolittle, R-Rocklin. "They never asked me my opinion. If they had me pick the speakers, maybe I'd have given them a different list."

"The governor is there to cast a vision and to lead, just as he's done in California. He's not there to ruffle anybody's feathers. And of course, he's very popular with conservative voters here who understand he may differ with them on social issues. But they like what he's doing on fiscal issues, and providing leadership," Stutzman said.

Democratic consultant Roger Salazar says Schwarzenegger's prominent role reflects a calculation on the part of the Bush-Cheney team about the need to reach out to mainstream voters.

"I think the president and the Republican Party understand the need to attract that middle-of-the-road voter, and they are going to try to do that with somebody who's extremely popular with independent voters, like Schwarzenegger," Salazar said.