THE AUSTRIAN SHRUB

Wilson backs Schwarzenegger: Bush praises actor; Ueberroth says he will run (Sam Stanton and Gary Delsohn, 8/09/03, The Sacramento Bee)

With one day left for candidates to qualify for the Oct. 7 recall election, former Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth said Friday he would run, while actor Arnold Schwarzenegger picked up the help of former Gov. Pete Wilson and a nod from President Bush. [...]

The film star's advisers, many of whom once worked in the Wilson administration, said the former GOP governor had signed on to co-chair the Schwarzenegger campaign.

Former Wilson advisers now on board include political consultant George Gorton, who ran Wilson's campaigns in 1990 and 1994; former press secretary Sean Walsh; and advertising consultant Don Sipple.

Wilson, the state's last Republican governor, brings a seasoned campaign team and status to Schwarzenegger's inaugural journey as a political candidate, particularly among fellow Republicans.

"Although Pete Wilson is radioactive with a lot of people, he still carries weight with Republican officeholders and activists," said John J. Pitney Jr., a professor of government at Claremont Mc-Kenna College.

"This is an all-out effort to make Schwarzenegger the Republican. He is now Conan the Republican."

Democrats did manage to force Insurance Commissioner Garamendi out of the race, so they only have one major alternative to Gray Davis on their side. But signing on Pete Wilson and his people gives Arnold's campaign instant credibility. Given how closely he played his cards to the vest--with even his own advisors surprised by his announcement--and how quickly he's moved to secure the GOP base, it might be time for people to start taking the guy seriously. Nah, may as well wait until his second term. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 9, 2003 8:25 PM