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Who Replaces Arnold? 'Entertaining' Race Unfolds

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 2, 2009 2:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sure, California's going through a little financial Armageddon, but that's not keeping candidates from lining up to replace Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is prevented by term limits from running in 2010. In the New York Times magazine, Mark Leibovitch takes a look at the eclectic field, which includes Jerry Brown ("yes, that Jerry Brown"), San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ("political thrill-seeker"), and former eBay chief Meg Whitman (who promises to provide "adult supervision" for once).

And let's not forget Dianne Feinstein, who may not run but who "is being coy enough that her presence hovers over the Democratic field." Ditto with LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, though he says he's out now in the wake of a sex scandal. If nothing else, the "race should fulfill one of California’s most basic and enduring promises: It will be entertaining. So many people (12% of the American population), so many problems, so many stories—tales of horror, of redemption, of twists and turns."

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.   (AP Photo)
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.   (AP Photo)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. is said to be considering a run for governor.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. is said to be considering a run for governor.   (AP Photo)
Meg Whitman, former eBay chief executive and Republican gubernatorial hopeful for California.
Meg Whitman, former eBay chief executive and Republican gubernatorial hopeful for California.   (AP Photo)
Tom Campbell, left, who is exploring a run for the Republican nomination for governor, left, and his rival, Steve Poizner.
Tom Campbell, left, who is exploring a run for the Republican nomination for governor, left, and his rival, Steve Poizner.   (AP Photo)
California Attorney General Jerry Brown and gubernatorial candidate.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown and gubernatorial candidate.   (AP Photo)
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The race to succeed Schwarzenegger is so fascinating because the competing souls of the state are all wrapped up in the candidates. You have the old and the new, the bizarre and the boring. - Bill Carrick, Democratic strategist

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
FreeThemAll
Jul 4, 2009 4:31 AM CDT
Damn right!
Doctor-Zaius
Jul 3, 2009 2:42 AM CDT
Prop 13 is what screwed up Cali.
Derni
Jul 2, 2009 8:38 AM CDT
CA-they should rename the state -it has the ability to draw the "most interesting people" from other states-and always $$ problems
 

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