CA-GOV: David Broder, In A Vain Search For A Clue

Taking the long view from 3,000 miles away, David Broder decides that Arnold Schwarzenegger is a defiant independent:

Instead of the partisan assault on public employee unions and Democratic legislators (a.k.a. "girlie men") that marked his rhetoric in 2005, Schwarzenegger has negotiated agreements this year on a minimum-wage increase, higher school spending, curbing air pollution and a mega-bond sale designed to meet overdue highway, flood-control and school-construction needs.

So Arnold capitulates to a Democratic legislature, signs Democratic bills and calls for Democratic approaches to government. This makes him an "indepdendent."

Susie Madrak says it best:

Shorter David Broder: Arnold re-invented himself to save his political ass. Now that’s the kind of independence I like to see!

The bottom line is that only a Democrat can get elected in California. The electorate is now being made aware that there's only one in this race.