CA-GOV: The Unions Join The Party

I personally think the unions have waited a little too long for my taste to jump into the race, but The Chronicle says they're getting ready:

A coalition of the state's most powerful public employee unions has agreed to start an independent campaign opposing the re-election of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that could cost as much as $25 million, according to several sources familiar with the plan.

The effort, which could begin as soon as this weekend, comes at a critical time for Democrat Phil Angelides, whose campaign has languished much of the summer largely because he's been unable to raise the money needed to effectively carry his message to a statewide audience.

The ABC crushed Arnold last year. Absolutely crushed him. But they did so by starting in January and making his name radioactive. Still, they have as good a ground game as there is in state politics, and can lend valuable support to the effort to elect Phil.

Our friend Julia at the ABC blog will have more as this develops, I'm sure.