New developments in California…

Schwarzenegger claims he is ready to debate, and interestingly includes Gray Davis in the proceedings. No doubt he wants an easy, unpopular punching bag on the other side of the political divide, as aside from Cruz Bustamante (less easy to knock over), all of the other likely debate candidates are Republicans also (McClintock, Simon and Ueberroth–and Simon has already opened fire on Arnold). If it were just to be the top five candidates, it would be four Republicans against one Democrat, obviously an advantage for Bustamante. I’ll bet that if Davis is either disqualified (for not being a candidate) or unwilling to come, Schwarzenegger’s people will demand that the standards be lowered to let in Arianna Huffington, Green Party candidate Peter Camejo and porn publisher Larry Flynt.

In the meantime, Republicans, who at first elated in the perception that (a) the Democrats were split and the GOP was represented by a single strong candidate, and (b) that Schwarzenegger was an actual Republican (being against the Clinton impeachment, pro-gay rights, pro gun-control and pro-choice, they are trying to figure out exactly where he is right-wing), are a bit less enthused now that the situation has reversed itself and it is the Republicans who are split.

Cruz Bustamante is accusing Gray Davis of interfering with his campaign, a charge that, at this point, might only help Bustamante, given Davis’s low standing in the polls.

Fox News (Motto: “We Can Call Ourselves Fair and Balanced Six Times out of Ten with a Straight Face”) is reporting that the Democrat-controlled California Assembly will try to ram through “Davis-friendly” legislation in case a Democrat is no longer in office after October. No news yet on whether the Republican minority will be heading to New Mexico.

The election is not even locked down yet, however, as two different challenges are being heard in federal courts. At least one is set to delay the elections for another six months in order to update polling places in six counties which have outdated equipment.

I almost expect the case to be taken to the Supreme Court, where they will declare a Republican the default winner in a 5-4 decision…