Politics

Rush For Calif. Gubernatorial Gold

August 8, 2003 / 6:03 PM EDT / CBS/AP

With a filing deadline nearing, California's political landscape shifted and shook Friday as big names decided whether or not to enter the recall race for governor.

A day after picking up his campaign papers, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger hit the morning talk shows. Appearing on the CBS News Early Show, he called Gov. Gray Davis's stewardship of the Golden State "disastrous" and said that his promise of leadership will trump any concerns about a lack of political experience.

"Gray Davis sold himself when he campaigned five years ago and just a year ago as the man that has the experience, the man that has experience that you cannot buy," Schwarzenegger told Early Show Co-Anchor Harry Smith. "Look what happened. What happened?"

"What is going on right now is just disastrous," the bodybuilder and action star said. He dubbed California's $38 billion budget deficit "just the tip of the iceberg," and listed the economy and school as other problem areas.

Meanwhile, President Bush edged into the turbulent recall campaign Friday, saying that fellow Republican Schwarzenegger would make a good governor.

The White House has taken pains to stress that the president will stay out of the California race. But when asked about the actor at his Texas ranch, Mr. Bush said, "I think he'd be a good governor." He added jokingly that he would never arm-wrestle with the bodybuilder turned action star.

White House aides say it's very unlikely the president will stump for Schwarzenegger when Mr. Bush visits California next week.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Saturday to file for the race. Hundreds of Californians have taken out papers to run, and each would get on the ballot with just 65 signatures and $3,500, or more signatures and less money.

Schwarzenegger was part of a field of candidates that seemed to change by the hour Thursday:

Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Democratic Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi joined the race, revealing cracks in Davis' support from his own party.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Dianne Feinstein appeared to boost that strategy when the popular Democrat ruled out a run, saying the election was becoming "more and more like a carnival every day." The field already includes independent political commentator Arianna Huffington, porn publisher Larry Flynt, former child actor Gary Coleman and watermelon-smashing comic Gallagher.

Former Republican Congressman Michael Huffington, the ex-husband of Arianna Huffington, had also considered running, but said Thursday he was backing Schwarzenegger.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan announced Thursday that he would endorse Arnold.

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, the leader of the recall effort, withdrew in a tearful news conference, saying that Schwarzenegger's decision to run helped assure him enough qualified candidates would seek the office.

Former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth, a Republican, was one of the most prominent figures to step forward Thursday.

Green Party candidate Peter Camejo, who earned 5.3 percent of the vote in last year's governor's race, also added his name to the list.

GOP businessman Bill Simon, who lost to Davis in November, was expected to jump into the race Saturday.

In Washington, party sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California has joined in conference calls in recent days with fellow Democratic lawmakers and other officials seeking a consensus candidate.

The feverish activity was capped with a decision by the California Supreme Court that cleared the way for the Oct. 7 ballot. The justices, six Republicans and one Democrat, declined to intervene in five petitions seeking to delay, block or alter the recall provision that has created a free-for-all among politicians, businessmen, celebrities and any dreamer with $3,500 and 65 signatures.

Several federal lawsuits still remain. A case was filed Thursday in Los Angeles by the American Civil Liberties Union, alleging that some of the state's 58 counties are ill-prepared to carry out a vote by Oct. 7, and some would be forced to use old voting machines they had promised a federal judge they would discard by March.

Under the law passed by voters in 1911, the ballot will offer two options: whether to recall Davis; and who should replace him.

"I'm here to tell everyone to vote no on the recall and yes on Bustamante," he said. "We are going to fight like heck against the recall."

Davis took aim at Schwarzenegger at a rally Thursday, telling a rowdy group of teachers in Anaheim to "Terminate the Terminator," a reference to one of his popular movie characters.

He said he wished that fellow party members had followed his plan to stay off the ballot, but said more Democrats could lure more voters to the polls.

"Every Democrat says they are against the recall, and I take them at their word," he said.

A cheering crowd of supporters greeted Schwarzenegger as he picked up his papers at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office. He offered no specifics on solving California's fiscal problems but promised to improve the business climate.

Asked by Smith if he anticipated scrutiny of his private life, Schwarzenegger said, "Of course people are going throw all kinds of things. They'll be saying he smokes marijuana, he's a womanizer, he's taken steroids. All of those things will be coming up."

"I won't pay attention to those things. I will focus on one thing. I will bring leadership to Sacramento," he said. "I want to unite the party, solve the problem and bring the economy back and have great schools and bring more jobs to the table."

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, uncle to Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver, said in a statement that he does not support the recall effort but "likes and respects Arnold" and has been impressed by his fight for after-school programs.