BEHIND THE COUNT: All eyes will be on the California secretary of state's office today for the big recall count -- but the real plays are going well behind the scenes.

The biggest question, of course, is whether Arnold Schwarzenegger -- who just got back from a European promo tour -- will make this the biggest story of the year by jumping into the fray.

And now that the clock is ticking, the time for playing cute is rapidly coming to an end.

"Everything is set up to go if he says 'yes,' but it's do-it-or-get-off-the- pot time," admitted one source close to the Terminator. "My expectation is that he's talking it over with his wife right now."

One of the keys in all this will be the final round of words between Schwarzenegger and former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan -- who is being urged to run by more liberal Republicans.

"The bottom line," our source told us, "is if Arnold goes, Dick won't. If Arnold doesn't do it, then it's highly likely Dick will -- it's between the two of them to hash out."

From what we've hear, the Republican hierarchy -- especially those close to former Gov. Pete Wilson -- would favor Schwarzenegger. At least that's the word that came out of the Bohemian Grove this past weekend, where a number of state and national GOPers, including presidential adviser Karl Rove, happened to have gathered at a club getaway.


None of this would be good news for Gov. Gray Davis -- who hopes his opponents will be limited to conservatives like Bill Simon or San Diego-area Rep. Darrell Issa.

"There's no question Riordan would be the biggest problem of them all," said one Davis operative. "He's the most liberal, he has a strong name ID in Southern California and you can't pin him as a right-winger -- which is the whole key to the Davis strategy."

PLEASE Ahnold make me love California and GO FOR IT!!!

Arnold Schwarzenegger is axtualy quite astute in the realm of politics. After all, he is married into a large political family...the keneddys, I believe. I honestly think that Arnold would make a fine governor. In fact, perhaps he wont succumb to the evils that politics leads to and actualy try to make a change for the better.

If Schwarzenegger becomes governor of the richest state in the richest country in the world, then the world is truly mad. (well, the Amrican part of it at least..)

Or maybe that trip I had where the world was a badly written cartoon wasn't a trip after all.

Seriously though what would that say about us as a race?

What happened to all those republicans saying actors & celebs should keep there neb out of Politics when the Iraq war was in full swing? Is it as I said at the time that it would be a different story if they were speaking out in support?
There ain't much difference to this. He has absolutely no political experience.
(Though I know that ain't stopped anyone before..)

I like to see what they'd have to say if Martin Sheen or Susan Sarandon et al were running...

I can't figure why the hell someone who lives the life he does would want such a pain in the a$$ as cleaning up after Gray (out) Davis. If I were the GOP, I'd tell the population of California to get themselves out of the mess they have created with their ultra-liberal stances.

I think the main reason we don't see Martin Sheen or Susan Surandon or any other actor liberal is because, they have no clue how to change things and not contradict their positions. To these people, a California ( and a US for that matter) that is no richer (except for themselves) than a third world country is what they see as their goal.

If Swartzenagger wins, he's going to have to reverse a great deal of the extremist agenda to build adaquate power plants, release much of the bounds holding business down and fight for the state's fair share of the Federal budget. Too many of these agendas are based on flawed ideology to begin with like the fuel mileage standards to reduce global warming which has about as much chance affecting the global climatology as I do by having beans for supper. California, I think , is ready to accept that progress and technological advances does more to help us take care of our environment than poverty. They have almost screwed the proverbial pooch and its in doubt if there is any sort of quick fix on the horizon. California faces a long hard road and if i were Arnold, I'd take care of me and mine and let someone else deal with it because if things aren't super-peachy withing a month of him taking office, he's gonna catch hell...no matter how long it took Davis allow such a state to develope.

In the surreal world of California, I actually think Arnie would make a fine gov. Regardless that he is a republican, he idealizes the spirit of what once made this country unique: a non english speaking immigrant who arrived on our shores with 20 bucks in his pocket and ambition and drive to achieve his dreams. Through life, he busted his butt to work hard and achieve his goals instead of living off of handouts from the state. He made it big, continued to work and discipline himself, and thus, he is where he is now. A good man, Arnie, despite what others may try to say, regardless, he worked hard, and I think he has the intelligence and drive to get Cali at least out of the sewage it is mired in, and on the road to some sort of recovery. If i was still in my home state, I think id vote for him, given the other choices. Anyone is better than gray davis, hell, I even think Dubya would do a better job that Grey has done.

Just because someone is an actor doesnt mean they cant be a leader. Some actors and entertainers are pretty smart, and have the talemnts needed, and besides, thats kinda another thing that I love about the US: unlike many other countries, where, in order to get anywhere you have to be tied into the established aristocracy, anyone can become anything here, if they have the will and the skill.

Hey, will Danny Glover run as well? He's Bohemian Club too!

Well, it seems that Arnold has a new advisor......
Multi-billionaire investor....Warren Buffet.
Ummm, "hello"!!!
Anyone have a clue to the affiliation that Warren Buffet has with the Bohemian Grove and the Illuminati/Freemasons?

This is not good....Arnold....very sad.

regards
seekerof

Anyone have a clue to the affiliation that Warren Buffet has with the Bohemian Grove and the Illuminati/Freemasons?

Arnold always HAS been a good face man.....

I'm not surprised at all. And yes, he's going to take the election.