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The recall vote: It's a sprint to Oct. 7 Schwarzenegger would use his celebrity. "He's a bigger-than-life personality, and he can do things other people can't," said his adviser, Gorton. The actor would draw on his story as an Austrian immigrant, his work on children's issues, his appeal to Democrats and independents on social issues, and the fact that he is not a career politician. "First of all, who is going to think that Arnold Schwarzenegger would cave in to special interests?" Gorton said. "And second of all, he doesn't need the job." Riordan said his mayorship and business contacts give him credentials. "I've obviously run the second-biggest city in the country," he said. "I've surrounded myself with the most able people in the world." If Riordan runs, the one argument he won't use is that he should have been last year's GOP nominee. Riordan was considered the strongest challenger to Davis but lost the primary to Simon after Davis spent $10 million in pre-emptive attacks. "That's a loser's argument," Riordan said. "Revenge is a stupid emotion that gets in the way of thinking." Each man has his liabilities, including Schwarzenegger's reputation for womanizing and Riordan's shifting views on abortion. Davis' team would attack where polls showed opponents to be most vulnerable. By Friday, a deluge of other possible candidates was being floated by their supporters, including a pair of ex-spouses, former GOP Congressman Michael Huffington and columnist Arianna Huffington, who would run as an independent. Their entries could inadvertently help Davis, if voters begin to see the recall as a free-for-all. But as the first recall election against a governor of California -- and the second in the nation -- unfolds, experts have little to look to in the way of tea leaves. "What strategy may or may not be effective is not clear to anybody because there's no history," said Democratic consultant Bill Carrick. "This is neither a candidate campaign or an initiative campaign. This is a little bit of both and some of neither." Peter Miguel Camejo Drew 5 percent of the vote last year as Green Party nominee; he is a declared candidate. Arianna Huffington Columnist-commentator is thinking about entering race as an independent. Michael Huffington Arianna's ex-husband spent millions losing to Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 1994. Darrell Issa Republican congressman from San Diego County financed the recall and is a candidate. Tom McClintock State senator lost '02 controller race but came closer than any Republican for statewide office. Richard Riordan Former L.A. mayor was favorite to win 2002 GOP primary until Davis' team went after him. Arnold Schwarzenegger Bodybuilder-turned-action movie star is debating whether to run as a Republican. Bill Simon Last year's GOP nominee spent more than $9 million of his own money in a close loss to Davis.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the Writer ---------------------------
The Bee's Margaret Talev can be reached at (916) 326-5540 or mtalev@sacbee.com.
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