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Issa grabs spotlight as recall drive revs up In San Bernardino County in May, GOP spokesman Rob Stutzman said, one vendor alone registered 2,800 voters -- 15 percent of them Democrats changing party, and nearly a third first-time voters. "The people are truly mad at government in California -- and that's Gray Davis," Stutzman says. "There is a true populist uprising that's taking place." Taylor, Issa's spokesman, acknowledges the revolution -- a gubernatorial campaign -- "could cost as much as $20 million." But, "Darrell is resolute." That has Democrats gearing up for a counterstrike -- preparing TV commercials to remind voters of Issa's record as a political "extremist." Already, they've pointed to his past support for a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion, and his strong backing of gun rights. Issa has also said he would not support a permanent ban on offshore oil drilling. And Issa may have to explain statements during the 2001 energy crisis in which he appeared to defend big energy firms -- and proposed passing higher energy costs on to consumers. "The president . . . has insisted that the best way to have conservation is to pass the fair and reasonable cost on to the consumer -- which is something that Gov. Davis has been unwilling to do," Issa told the Riverside Press Enterprise at the height of the crisis. State consumers, Issa said, "need to be paying a fair price and probably pay a tax on top of it if we are going to prevent blackouts." Should the recall qualify for the ballot, Issa also would face a challenge from a crowd of other Republicans. SCHWARZENEGGER READY Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, ready to unleash his new film "Terminator 3," told Esquire this month he would "love to be governor of California" if the state needs him. Businessman Bill Simon, the Republican who lost to Davis last November, says he's "definitely" thinking about it -- and is making the rounds of GOP insiders. State Sen. Tom McClintock, California's top 2002 Republican vote-getter in his unsuccessful run for state controller, also is considering a bid. Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan -- a moderate who last year lost the GOP nomination for governor to Simon -- appeared lukewarm to Issa's effort on Fox News this week. Riordan appeared to all but endorse Schwarzenegger, saying Issa could be a better governor than Davis, but "doesn't have much name recognition" and is "very far to the right." Issa, speaking to The Chronicle last week, acknowledged his past political troubles, and said he has learned from those experiences. "When I first ran for office, this was a big thing . . . and I was unsure," Issa said. "I'm dyslexic. I don't read speeches well. I was concerned about that." But now, he says he's feeling confident -- and proud of the support he's gotten. "It is a different campaign," he says. "I have made the transition." Some say Issa -- while resolute -- may end up investing his money to elect someone else governor. "No matter how much Issa tries to recalibrate his right-wing image, he'll never be elected governor in California," says progressive political strategist Ross Mirkarimi, who has been a spokesman for Ralph Nader's presidential campaign in California. "Despite his media panache and his wealth, his politics are just too scary for the majority of Californians. . . . I think the Bush administration will slip in a much more moderate candidate, like a Riordan or an Arnold."
"If Arnold gets in, he'll get the bulk of
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