Arnold clears out $450K of past campaign debt in two nights. He is poised to run for governor of California if Gray Davis is recalled:

In twin "Terminator 3" events last month, Schwarzenegger used his star power to help raise $421,000 to erase campaign debts from an after-school programs initiative he championed, records show.

Political analysts say the feat could serve him well if he decides to run for Davis' job.

"If there were a looming campaign debt, that might be a distraction from a gubernatorial campaign. By settling the debt, he removes the distraction and demonstrates his fund-raising ability," said John Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College.

The $463,092 debt stems from an education initiative launched by Schwarzenegger called Citizens for After School Programs, Yes on Proposition 49, which pushed for state money for before- and after-school programs. Voters approved the initiative in November.

....Schwarzenegger came in second among five possible Davis opponents in a poll released Wednesday, with 15 percent of respondents saying they'd back the actor if the governor were recalled. Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan finished the strongest with 21 percent. [AP]

I sense an underlying conspiracy: every actor in Running Man will run for governor. Jesse Ventura has already been governor of Minnesota. Richard Dawson ("and the survey SAYS!") could challenge Arnold in the NEXT Cal gov election - how fitting! Jim Brown can move back to Ohio and run where he is worshiped as the greatest running back of all time - no more beating up people or cars, though. I'm not sure what we are gong to do with Maria Conchita Alonso.