PRESTOPUNDIT -- "It's a team sport, baby!"

Is it 1.4 million signatures or is it 1.5 million, as Sal Russo of recallgraydavis.com has it (on Fox News last night)? Whatever. It's time to have a vote. This must be a bit like what it feels to be British when the Prime Minister has lost a vote of no confidence, and a new election has been called. I'll admit I'm getting a some of that democracy joes you get just after you've voted.

It's now time to elect a new state Governor. My own choice is Dick Riordan. The state is in terribly serious trouble and Riordon has shown in the past that he can tackle tough problems, and improve things for the better, as he did with Los Angeles. Riordan is a talented and serious man. He works well with people. And most importantly, he's both fiscally responsible and ethical in a way that few in Sacramento understand anymore. He's a leader, and he'll lead the folks in Sacramento in the direction they must go -- or this rebellion will not be over.

Will Riordan run? Well, I think everyone is waiting to see what Schwartzenegger will do. Schwartzenegger brings a lot to the table -- including a terrific can-do spirit -- but I'm not sure they're enough of the right things for a state with such deep and serious problems. Is Schwartzenegger himself serious enough and dedicated enough to tackle these problems? It's an open question -- and an important one for folks who pay taxes and make use of the government. He certainly lacks many of the skills and most all of the experience which Riordan has in spades. Whatever Schwartzenegger plans to do, he needs to do it now. The waiting game tease -- for whatever personal reasons -- is not one that the state can long afford. Whether its in or out, Schwartzenegger needs to put his cards on the table. Otherwise, he's really f-ing with a state which can't afford to be f-ed with -- tens of billions of dollars are currently on the line with the state's bond ratings -- and he will risk destroying a tremendous amount of good will built up with the people of California. This is especially true if it becomes clear that Schwarzenegger has simply been selling T3 tickets with a phony "I'd love to be Governor" tease while California burns.

Schwarzenegger can lead the state -- and lead it in the right direction -- if he applies the sort of dedication, seriousness, and drive he applied to becoming a body building champion, actor, and good citizen. But the stakes are higher here -- and it's not just about Arnold anymore. Is he up to it? We'll see -- but the jury is out.

Posted by Greg Ransom