Unfortunately, Phil Angelides, the Democratic candidate for governor, has proven he is no match for Gov. Schwarzenegger’s celebrity status. Still, here is advice for Angelides from Los Angeles Times political columnist Geroge Skelton:
As fall approaches, Treasurer Phil Angelides seems to have only two accessible paths to reach the governor’s office, both of them steep.
– He must wrap President Bush so tightly around Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in voters’ minds that they “send a message” about the botched war and other Bush blunders by rejecting the governor’s reelection bid. Schwarzenegger, after all, did play a significant role in reelecting Bush.
– Angelides must remind voters of Schwarzenegger’s inconsistencies in rhetoric and behavior since being elected and get people seriously thinking about whether this governor should be trusted again.
Beyond that, Schwarzenegger could stumble badly, embarrassing and disgracing himself. But forget it. That’s every losing candidate’s fantasy and it almost never happens.
Schwarzenegger’s handlers seem to have him well under control. And aides likely won’t be providing any more links on the governor’s public website to his recorded private bull sessions.
