The Note

W A S H I N G T O N July 29&#151;<br> -- Today's Schedule (all times Eastern):

—9:30 am: Senate convenes for legislative business—9:30 am: Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and OMB Director Josh Bolten testify to Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Iraqi reconstruction —11:00 am: Senator John Kerry meets with activists in Carroll, Iowa—11:50 am: President Bush meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, White House—12:00 pm: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun visits 21st Century Democrats Youth Leadership Development Program, Capitol Hill—12:15 Senate party policy luncheons, Capitol Hill—1:30 pm: Senator John Kerry meets with supporters in Boone, Iowa—2:00 pm President Bush meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal—3:00 pm: Federal District Court expected to issue ruling on constitutionality of recall effort, San Diego—6:00 pm: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun attends a meet and greet sponsored by ClintonGoreAlumni.org in Washington, D.C.—6:50 pm: Senator John Kerry attends event with supporters in Fort Dodge, Iowa—8:00 pm: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon meets with Senate leadership, Mayflower Hotel, D.C.

NEWS SUMMARY

The Note has a lot to learn.

Understanding politics is tough; understanding government is tougher; and understanding campaigns, well, that's toughest of all.

This work week ends with August beginning, and the main thing we HAVE learned is to follow the Bush family rhythms in the run-up to Labor Day, in order to be rested for the fall sprint.

Of course, this year's fall sprint includes the California recall, some choice gubernatorial contests, and the lead-in to Iowa, New Hampshire, and everything else nominational.

So while we keep dealing with all that, look for an August Note schedule that roughly mirrors that of President Bush on the ranch: some days, we'll be there, as usual, doing our public thing — but some days, there will be no Note, while we are off clearing metaphorical brush.

And like a president who wants/needs a break, but also has an economic plan to sell, The Note's appearances and disappearances won't necessarily be announced far in advance.

As we plan for the unplannable of August politics, as we said, we have a lot to learn.

In California recall news today:

-- Arnold hasn't yet made up his mind but is leaning against making a run for governor.

-- Richard Riordan met with a certain former adviser to talk about assembling a campaign team.

-- A federal judge in San Diego will hear and rule on whether or not it is constitutional for the state to require a "yes" or "no" vote on question one in order to count someone's vote in regards to question two.

-- Korean American leaders will take their turn at denouncing the recall today, as part of Gray Davis' beautiful mosaic.

-- The California state assembly voted down the budget passed by the senate on Sunday.

President Bush meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this morning at the White House. In the afternoon, the president will meet with the Saudi foreign minister to discuss the 9-11 report.

The president's economic secretaries (Snow, Chao and Evans) kick off their two-day "Jobs and Growth Tour" in Wisconsin today.

Senator Kerry and Governor Dean campaign in Iowa today.

Senator Lieberman is in Southern Florida today for the latest stop of "Joe's Jobs Tour."

Ambassador Braun is in D.C. today to meet with the 21st Century Democrats Youth Leadership Development Program and attend a ClintonGoreAlumni.org meet and greet.

Reverend Sharpton is scheduled to be in New York City today for the funeral services for Councilman Davis.

Senator Graham addresses the DL21C tonight in New York City.

Senator Edwards and Representatives Gephardt and Kucinich have no public events scheduled for today.

California recall, Arnold:

Arnoldmania continues for at least one more day.

Arnold's still deciding but "leaning strongly against," reports the New York Times ' John Broder. LINKThe San Francisco Chronicle's Carla Marinucci does the Arnold-as-Hamlet thing. LINK

"In the tradition of the best Hollywood cliff-hanger, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger captivated California political circles Monday with dramatic last-minute wavering on a run for California governor — a move he is now 'leaning strongly against,' though his strategists said he is still actively exploring it."

"With an in-out, out-in scenario piquing pundits' interest, the 'Terminator 3' star — just a week ago described as a sure thing in the race against Democratic Gov. Gray Davis — is still being urged to seize the moment and take his biggest shot at political stardom."

"He is expected to make a public announcement perhaps as soon as Wednesday, his 56th birthday, sources said."

Might Arnold be missing his best chance to run for office? If he doesn't run now — with the chance to avoid a GOP primary — when does he think he will get a better chance?

Ms. Marinucci also allows Garry South to start doing his thang with both Arnold and Richard Riordan — threatening he still has videotape of Mr. Riordan that can be put to use.

The San Jose Mercury News' Dion Nissenbaum has the actor missing the race too. LINK"While the Republican Hollywood actor has made no final decision, Schwarzenegger appeared ready to put family concerns ahead of his political aspirations."

Claudia Eller and Michael Cieply of the Los Angeles Times take a look at Arnold Schwarzenegger's most senior adviser and have California Republicans singing, "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" LINK

"While it's not unusual for a spouse to have a strong voice in career decisions, those who know Shriver say she has taken a surprisingly direct hand in some of her husband's most important dealings, whether reading scripts, picking films or riding herd on highly paid representatives. In a more peculiar twist, Shriver, a lifelong Democrat, may affect the GOP's fate in California, as potential party candidates wait for word of whether Republican Schwarzenegger is in or out."

California recall, the field:

The Los Angeles Times' Michael Finnegan writes, " … former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, edged closer Monday to becoming a candidate to replace Gov. Gray Davis." LINK

Mr. Finnegan reports that Laura Bush's press secretary (and former Riordan aide) Noelia Rodriguez was holed up with Riordan in his Brentwood home yesterday, advising the former mayor about putting together a campaign team.

Note Note: We are very eager to read the tick tock of how the Schwarzenegger/Riordan joint press conference did not come to be, assuming it was ever planned.

Mr. Finnegan mentions Mr. Riordan's strong poll numbers, his personal wealth (though he may be reticent to use it), and his moderate views as factors that could make the former Los Angeles mayor an attractive recall candidate.

However, there is no mention of what effect a Riordan candidacy might have on a respected statewide Democrat thinking about getting into the race. Or who the GOP's "moderate" back up is if both Riordan and Arnold take a pass.

"With his support for abortion rights and some gun control measures, Riordan — like Schwarzenegger — also could undermine Davis' argument that the recall is a Republican plot to force a conservative agenda on California."

"'The tragedy for California will be if Gray Davis can actually frame this as some far-right-wing conspiracy to drive the state back into the Neanderthal Age, and that's not what it's about,' said Mark Chapin Johnson, chief fund-raiser of Riordan's 2002 campaign."

More Finnegan:

"For Riordan supporters, who did not get the chance in November to vote for their candidate against Davis, the 'poetic justice' of a rematch on the recall ballot would be a big factor, Hoffenblum said. 'A lot of people felt they were denied the choice, because Davis meddled in the primary,' he said."

"Said Chapin Johnson: 'It would be interesting to see the phoenix rise out of the ashes.'"

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown is convening a Democratic pow wow in San Francisco as early as today according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Matier & Ross. LINK

"The mission: To come up with a plan to ensure that a Democrat is in control of the governor's office."

More:

"Those expected to attend, in the meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday: Steve Smith and Garry South from the Davis camp. Bill Carrick and Kam Kawata, veterans of Dianne Feinstein campaigns. California Teachers Association consultant Gale Kaufman. And Richie Ross — a consultant whose clients include Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and the United Farm Workers."

"'There's not a lot of time here,' said the invitee we talked to. 'So everyone — including Gray's people — are going to have to put their cards on the table.'"

"With Willie playing the dealer."

Matea Gold (with 5 of her colleagues contributing) had the recall roundup duties for the Los Angeles Times.

Highlights include: 90 people have received nomination papers contemplating a candidacy, LA Schools Superintendant Roy Romer offers supportive words for Governor Davis, a look at the filed lawsuits concerning the October 7th ballot, and Arianna Huffington saying she won't run if her ex-husband does. You won't want to miss Governor Davis' take on the Huffingtons. LINK

The San Jose Mercury News' Mike Zapler and Lori Aratani take a look at who those 90 potential candidates are. LINKMickey Kaus writes up David Talbot's Salon write up of Arianna Huffington's boasting of a deal she reached with Green Party candidate Peter Camejo. Talbot's account has Ms. Huffington announcing that Mr. Camejo has agreed to drop out of the race and throw his support to her if she decides to run. LINK

But Mickey got an email from votecamejo.org stating, "UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will Peter drop out of the race if Arianna runs."

The New York Times ' John Broder has this from Ms. Huffington: LINK"'Even though I'm against the recall in principle and I do believe it is a power grab by Republicans who could not wait until the next election, I also think it is also incredibly irresponsible on the part of Democrats to roll the dice for the state by circling the wagons around Davis,' Ms. Huffington said."

"Her former husband, Michael Huffington, a conservative Republican who was defeated by Senator Dianne Feinstein in 1994, almost certainly will not run, she said."

Ms. Huffington tells Mr. Broder she intends to announce a decision by early next week.

California recall, the courtroom:

The Associated Press' David Kravets writes up the legal battle being waged over the recall including today's hearing in federal court in San Diego. LINK"The recall law demands voters choose "yes" or "no" on whether to recall Davis before becoming eligible to choose a successor listed on the same ballot."

"The challenge by University of San Diego School of Law professor Shaun Martin and other legal scholars says the process unconstitutionally compels voters to choose on one matter to gain eligibility for another."

"'A voter may have no desire to vote regarding whether to recall Gray Davis but nonetheless feel strongly — and wish to vote — about the identity of the new governor of the state of California,' Martin said."

"The California attorney general's office supports the requirement."

"'Allowing voters to abstain on the recall question would allow those with only an indirect or remote interest in this crucial question to decide who will replace a recalled officer,' said Deputy Attorney General Leslie R. Lopez."