Free Republic

SACRAMENTO — With Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's confirmation he's running for re-election, his foes hope to persuade the public his bid for new term hangs on the out come of his Nov. 8 special election to revamp government. It doesn't, according to analysts. Political experts said Schwarzenegger can survive a special-election defeat and go on to win re-election in November 2006. "Schwarzenegger has huge problems," said Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College. "But other governors have climbed out of the poll pits to win re-election." Oakland's own Jerry Brown, a Democrat, and former GOP Gov. Pete Wilson...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Taking on "special interests" sounds good to most politicians - except when they're the special interest. That's why Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to relieve lawmakers of the job of drawing their own political district lines is running into opposition from - who else - lawmakers. The governor's plan would assign the task to a panel of retired judges. It's especially troubling to U.S. House members from his own Republican Party, some of whom fear that recasting congressional districts in Democrat-leaning California could cost the GOP seats. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the House 232-201 (there's one independent and...