LA Times Endorses Gov. Schwarzenegger

It's all over but the shouting for Phil Angelides. The paragon of all things lefty, The LA Times, has endorsed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for reelection. They sum it up this way:

His priorities for the next term, Schwarzenegger says, include reforming the state's dysfunctional prisons and another try at fixing California's jury-rigged redistricting system. His previous attempts to address both problems failed miserably. Paradoxically, however, he may be in a better position to address these issues — and others, such as the state's structural budget deficit — because he is a Republican. A little partisanship can be healthy in Sacramento, if it serves as a check on the excesses of the legislative or executive branch. And Schwarzenegger and the Democrats in the Legislature now better understand how they give each other political cover.

No such dynamic would exist if Schwarzenegger's opponent, Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides, were elected. Some of his criticisms of the governor are valid; Angelides is correct to note that Schwarzenegger is too hazy about how he plans to close the state's perpetual budget shortfall. To the extent that the challenger is more candid, however, his prescription of raising some personal income and corporate taxes is the wrong one.

Schwarzenegger correctly senses that a leader with good instincts and confidence is more effective — and more inspiring — than one with a good plan and a lot of details. Angelides may be more specific about many of California's problems. But Schwarzenegger is more likely to solve them. The Times endorses Arnold Schwarzenegger for governor.

The Times has backed enough losers in the last several elections - I guess they finally got tired of getting beat.