Bill Bradley

SACRAMENTO — Now that was a fun, interesting debate. One could sense the drama welling up blocks away from the auditorium at Sacramento State. Competing chants and demonstrators on all sides of the recall, a giant white tent, dozens of satellite-TV trucks, banners festooned everywhere, even a marching band nearby......

With 10 days to go, California’s recall race is finally back on track after more than a week of court-induced uncertainty. The imperatives for the candidates are coming into sharp relief. Gray Davis must hope that Democrats forget how he has disappointed them and that independents consider him superior to......

United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta executed a sudden quarter-turn away in the midst of conversation at the special state Democratic convention in downtown L.A. over the weekend. “What is it?” the Weekly asked the legendary stalwart of statewide Democratic campaigns. “It’s Cruz Bustamante,” she replied. “I don’t want a......

Ilustration by Juan Alvarado It’s money, baby. Campaign money and, of course, public money. With just under a month to go and the new Field Poll showing what all polls besides the L.A. Times poll show — a big lead for the recall and a tight race between Cruz Bustamante......

As the mix of semiprepared candidates continue their rush toward a hoped-for date with destiny, the once-muddled field is coming into focus, presented here alphabetically. Arnold the Obscure From an absolutely brilliant start, and a not-at-all-brilliant follow-up, the man who over the course of years became the world’s greatest bodybuilder......

Illustration by Juan Alvarado Cruz Bustamante is living proof of one of the smartest things Woody Allen ever said: “Ninety percent of life is showing up.” The lieutenant governor has barely figured in the epic conflicts over the energy and budget crises that have roiled the Capitol the last few......

The political machinations and deals in the California recall’s festival of democracy are getting ever more raw. Governor Gray Davis, covertly but not so secretly, is beginning to go against the counsel of his new adviser, former President Bill Clinton, who urged him not to attack Arnold Schwarzenegger. Davis blamed......

The explosions that got this recall campaign off and running lit up the political sky but left a lot of damage, much of it self-inflicted by the candidates. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s stunning announcement flattened Governor Gray Davis and shattered Democratic unity around the party’s recall strategy, sending Davis’ lieutenant governor, Cruz......

Illustration by Juan Alvarado How quickly it can all slide away. Just nine months ago, the Democratic Party reigned supreme in California, having won a historic sweep of all statewide offices, including the re-elected Governor Gray Davis, and retained strong majorities in both houses of the Legislature and the congressional......

Illustration by Juan Alvarado The strongest challenger was definitely not going to compete. It was obvious. Nearly everyone knew it. So the other players made their preparations accordingly. Then, just before the start of the contest, Arnold Schwarzenegger stunned nearly everyone by announcing that he was in after all. Sounds......