[EllaMinnow]

Bottom line. associating with Bush might come to seem toxic for Arnold. So he might do the old-style southern RAT thing and keep his distance -- especially if Bush looks beleagured and beatable in the next year.

Arnold is already setting things up for President Bush's visit to him in California next week.
And he seemed very pleased to tell the reporters at his press conference that he had spoken to the President early this morning.

[cyncooper]

Arnold is already setting things up for President Bush's visit to him in California next week. And he seemed very pleased to tell the reporters at his press conference that he had spoken to the President early this morning.

As an aside, he also said President Bush 41 called around midnight last night. He was beaming and clearly is very close to the elder Bushes.

He also clearly supports this President Bush fully, as you note, and I am suspicious of anyone sowing the seeds of doubt on that score.