There's no shortage of saviors running for a thankless job
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Hollywood heavy with no prior political credentials but with several Hummers filled with reformist notions, convinced the voters he could get the job done.
After his predecessor Gray Davis' surrender to the unions, an electricity crisis and a demeanor (sorry for the pun) grayer than a smoggy L.A. day, Arnold seemed like just the magic tonic for a disillusioned populace. Sporting surpluses on its balance sheet with little idea of the Armageddon just ahead, California giddily spent its way into the recession like a drunk on a binge with no one interested in closing the bar as long as everyone was still having a good time.
Schwarzenegger got stuck with the bill.
After squandering most of his political capital as well, he searched around for a handful of fellow Republicans to help bail him out. Not one could be found. But unlike his predecessor who did himself in, Schwarzenegger will not have to test his sinking popularity much longer as he is ushered out by term limits.
In 2010, a new lineup of contestants for what may be the nation's most thankless job enters the ring hoping to run a government that may be impossible to tame in a state drowning in red ink.
Preparing to be led to the slaughter on the Democratic side we have Gavin Newsom, the wonkish, hard-charging mayor of San Francisco which has only twice sent its leaders to
the state house - the boozing "Sunny" Jim Rolph in 1931, and the long-forgotten Washington Montgomery Bartlett in 1887.
Soon to launch his campaign is the septuagenarian, Jerry Brown - the current attorney general and the same fellow who delighted us with his war on the med- flies and who, three decades ago, earned the nickname "Governor Moonbeam" for his experimental ideas and quixotic assault on the conventional rules of governance.
Apparently exercising more common sense is Dianne Feinstein - the state's redoubtable senior U.S. senator who has, it seems, decided to remain in Washington, where she enjoys great seniority and at least full control of a powerful committee.
And in the GOP corner, we have the title holder in the woman's billionaire division - Meg Whitman, ex-eBay CEO - whose sudden aspiration for public service is being questioned since she has rarely voted in any elections.
In the men's light-heavyweight division, there is Steve Poizner, the millionaire insurance commissioner with slender executive credentials, who in the early going can match Whitman dollar for dollar.
Trailing the pack is former representative and frequent professor, Tom Campbell, who probably would have beaten the other U.S. senator, Barbara Boxer, in 1992, had the GOP not chosen as its nominee, conservative TV commentator and strip-joint customer, Bruce Herschensohn.
The endorsement game has begun with Bill Clinton coming out for Newsom, who could be peaking too early. Look for Sarah Palin to offer her benediction to one of the GOP rivals, posing a difficult decision.
A rejuvenated California economy would give President Barack Obama, who will not be running for anything next year, the opportunity to extend the most-coveted endorsement.
