Commentary by H.G. Listiak

Friday 08/15/2003

Welcome to my world, where all three rings of the California circus seem to be filled as the Gubernatorial recall election continues to grow far reaching tentacles. In the center ring we've got political punsters and pundits trying to link the success of the actor Arnold Swartzenegger to the re-election of President Bush. First of all the people's republic of California is not by any stretch of the imagination, main stream America. Oh yes, both Arnold and "W" look good in a flight uniform, both are charming, both kind of torture the English language, and both are members of the G.O.P., but that's where the similarity ends. He's a classy, classic conservative in California. Hell he'd be a democrat in Montana. He's a moderate to Liberal Republican, which is not a bad thing. He's flexible past his bi-and-triceps, but to lump Arnold with "W", as much as I'd like to, would be a bad call and both men know it.

In another circus ring across the big top from the smut peddler porn star publicity hound and political riff raff, we have the sitting Governor Gray Davis the Democrat seeking his party's help, which is focused far beyond the recall vote, on the 2004 Presidential race. Ah, but strike up the band, (more saxophones please). Here comes Slick Willy. Bill Clinton comes to the aid of his party and Gray Davis. He might help, who better knows how to dodge the bullet? How to side-step scandal? Even how to beat an impeachment rap? And Hillary can cover bases Bill misses, read the book. Yes it's a circus parade and all. I really wish I had more time to spend on this one but I don't, so let me just use the words of an old song. "Send in the Clowns"… "There have to be clowns"…"that's funny, they're here"…As I see it I'm H.G. Listiak.