Dear California,

I just read your exciting news-- congratulations on your new governor! You must be very excited. I am very sure that there are good things to come in the next few years from having a visionary like Arnold Schwarzenegger as your leader.

As a Minnesotan, I know first-hand the pure pleasure of having a governor come from the celebrity ranks. Jesse Ventura was the head of our state from 1998 to 2002. Two things struck me most about Mr. Ventura. First, his innate ability to look outside of himself and at the greater good of the state when defining policy. Second, his ability to bridge gaps between sparring parties without concern about his personal feelings. I know that Arnold will help you do this as well-- the experience one makes as an actor must really prepare you to govern a state.

There must have been something in the water back in 1986 when Predator was being filmed! Watch out, Utah-- Carl Weathers may be your next governor!!! J/K

I must admit that I admire your sense of right and wrong, California. Gray Davis was incompetent as your governor, and kudos to you for recognizing it earlier this summer just before the Republican-sponsored recall petition started. I could tell you were a tad wary last November when you re-elected him by a mere 4,000,000 votes over the next-highest competitor. How fast do eleven months fly!

In closing, dear friend, I want to say thank you. You've not only ensured economic and social prosperity for your citizens for the next few years-- your election of Arnold will shift the spotlight and allow our own former actor-turned-politician, Jesse Ventura, to fade off quietly into the sunset, as is his desire.

Sincerely,
Wade

p.s. Any chance Arnold will choose Mary Carey or Gary Coleman as Lieutenant Governor? HA!