I don't like it one bit, but it makes sense. He's facing a tough campaign, how many Republicans are there in CA? Not enough to give him the nod in Nov. without crossover help. Besides, there are ways to install agency heads without giving away them too much control.
I doubt this has as much to do with politics as it does true political leaning. The Ca dims couldn't come up with a better candidate for them that is electable than arnold.