The Governator

Well, that's it then.

I know a lot of people originally feared that the winner of the recall election would have something like 20% of the vote.  As of now (56% reporting), Arnold's got himself 49% of the vote, which is one of those numbers that will probably lead people to start throwing around words like "mandate." 

Random Thoughts:  Was it a particularly good idea for Arnold to give his victory speech when Cruz Bustamante was busy conceding to him?  I mean, especially given the fact that Bustamante is still Lieutenant Governor of California, so the two of them are going to have to, you know, work together?

Here's the list of the top 10 finishers in Part Two of the ballot, according to CNN right now...

Schwarzenegger, Bustamante, McClintock, Camejo, Huffington, Ueberroth, Flynt, Schwartzman, Coleman, Simon

OK, I've heard of nine of these people.

I don't want to cast aspersions on the viability of George Schwartzman as a candidate for governor.  But I have to wonder if 5700 of my fellow Californians really meant to vote for a San Diego businessman "currently ... involved in providing urological services to hospitals and physicians" or if maybe, just MAYBE, it has something to do with the placement of his name on the ballot next to that of Mr. Schwarzenegger and some people who still haven't mastered the art of the punch-card. 

Poor Todd Richard Lewis.  Currently in last place with 109 votes.  There are a LOT of candidates who got less than 1000 votes, but, still, it's gotta hurt to be last.  Ten more votes and he can catch Gene Forte.

Weird world.