Winner of the Recall Debate: Gray Davis

I like this guy more and more with each passing day:

"I will tell you this: His ads say more about Mr. Schwarzenegger than they do about anyone else," Davis said. "He said he would not take special interest money, and now he's taking it. He said he would not run attack ads, now he has. He said he'd debate people, but now will only do it if he gets the questions in advance."

You said it, Governor.

Schwarzenegger's performance in his only debate proved that even having the questions in advance was no help to a man whose only political skill is in reciting talking points. His answers, even on his marquee subjects like business and education, were unfocused, unhelpful, and pale reflections of the McClintock wing of the Republican party. It's really too bad that McClintock is such a wingnut on most other issues.

Thus, I've finally figured Schwarzenegger's platform out: he's Ueberroth, only without the brains.

When Arianna refused to let Ahnuld speak over her, she said: "This is the way you treat women, we know that. But not now." The moderator called that a personal attack (true, though that doesn't address the accuracy of her comment 8^). Ahnuld's reply?

"I just realized that I have a perfect part for you in Terminator 4."

This was, apparently, a reference to the scene he enjoyed so much, where he "got away with" smashing a woman's head into a toilet. That, of course, was the Terminatrix, so "it wasn't really a woman."

Let us hope that Arianna proves to be the Terminatrix of his campaign.

"I need a lot of help," Schwarzenegger says. Boy, is he right.

Peter Camejo was as passionate and articulate as always. It's a pity he doesn't have a chance in Hades.

Which leaves, of course, Cruz Bustamante. The long-suffering Lieutenant Governor maintained his patience and good humor, waiting for Schwarzenegger to stop ranting over his opportunities to speak. When the excellent (if justifiably frazzled) moderator inevitably returned to him, Cruz finished making his points clearly and effectively. Unless viewers were completely blinded by Schwarzenegger's fame and his well-scripted closing statement, this is a two horse race now -- and the horses are named Davis and Bustamante.

(/) Roland X
No On Recall, Yes On Bustamante!