>...Talk about a job that no one wants! Well, make that no one in his or her right mind! :)

That's largely what I've been wondering through all this, Tom. What "greets" the "winner" is a deficit of such magnitude that their popularity should very quickly plummet (from both sides, via tax increases, service cutbacks, both of these).

I have a hobby-friend (he's also an attorney, big surprise there!) who's on the recall ballot too, trying his luck. He's just treating it as "fun" sort of activity, and can afford it, so what the heck? He'll give me all the details I might ask about, in any event, so I'll have an "insider" contact. Might be nice to have such a contact.

Anyway, I think maybe Arnold is the one candidate who is already so popular as an actor that he might be able to escape much of th deficit dilemma, at least for a little "honeymoon" while. (Besides, he was on the verge of becoming too old for his normal movie-protagonist spots, might as well look for a new job :-)

As an aside, a Post article today discusses "just what ARE Arnold's political philosophies"? The article doesn't claim to know any more than any one else does, but it does say that Arnold himself has admitted to turning a lot more politically "centrist" from having numerous private debates, and dawning understanding about some of the more centrist or Democrat positions, from his wife Maria Shriver (a trueblood Kennedy-liberal, of course). Add to this the fact that Arnold is totally impervious to political "selling-out," as being one of the 10 (I think I read that somewhere) richest men in the world.

I'm certainly not advocating that anyone should be able to buy their way into a political position, but I do like the idea of having politicians that cannot be "bought" for any price in donations...plus, we know Arnold's a good Terminator (er, I meant "Communicator" <g>, and he has a rather endearing accent, to boot...I'd certainly consider a vote for him, were I able to learn more about his philosophies - which a debate or two among the top few "real" contenders might do to enlighten us.

Well, we may have a chance to find out what Arnold can do. Man, if you think Ventura was newsworthy, wait until Arnold hits Sacramento! (assuming it ever happens). And if he does a good job in CA, watchout, other US Presidential hopefuls, if not now, then 2008...but we're getting ahead here.

One last thought: I kind of envisage Arnold picking up some futuristic weapon and "neutralizing" anyone who disagrees much with him once he's elected <g>