Free Republic

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Brawny movie star and political wannabe Arnold Schwarzenegger is a crunchy beef taco, while California's unpopular Governor Gray Davis is chicken in soft wrapping. That's the conclusion of a US fast food outlet that has reduced California's colourful electoral circus to a battle between spicy Mexican take-away meals that represent the state's political hopefuls. Consumers can now "put their vote where their mouth is," said Laurie Schalow, a spokeswoman for the Taco Bell chain which Thursday launched a "Taco Poll" in which diners can choose their next governor from the menu. The fast food chain threw...

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - A top California politician opened fire on political hopeful Arnold Schwarzenegger over rampant gun violence shown in his hit movies including "Terminator." The swinging attack by veteran Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein on the Republican action hero who is running for governor of California came a day after Schwarzenegger unveiled his policy platform for the first time. "Violence begets violence," said Feinstein as she appeared with embattled California Democratic Governor Gray Davis in Los Angeles to lobby for a permanent ban on military-style assault weapons. "And ... you become a role model for someone of lesser maturity...