Arnold Turns To The Dark Side

If you've recovered from the post below, let's all welcome Arnold to the world of politics. From this morning's L.A. Times:

The gubernatorial candidate who vowed to "clean house" in Sacramento, after what he suggested would be a campaign financed with his own millions, has hired professional fund-raisers who are soliciting money from developers and other donors with a stake in state business. And Schwarzenegger, who has pledged to run a positive campaign, has not only pounded Democratic rival Cruz Bustamante for his politics, but also made fun of his appearance.

"I am rich enough that I don't have to take anyone's money," he told CNN on Aug. 8. "I can go to Sacramento and I make decisions that are the wisest decisions for the people and not what is best for the special interests."

In Los Angeles last week, he said, "I am not taking money from anyone."

But Schwarzenegger has been raising money aggressively from donors with business before the state, including leaders of the agriculture, technology, wine and real estate industries, records and interviews show. The wealthy Brentwood actor has donated $2 million to his campaign, but has hired about half a dozen Republican fund-raisers to collect perhaps millions more. Among them is Kristen Hueter of San Francisco, a fund-raiser for President Bush.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Rob Stutzman said the actor was "not participating in the special interest game," as he said McClintock was. He also defended Schwarzenegger's statement Monday that Bustamante was "Gray Davis with a receding hairline and a mustache."

If you had August 27th in the "When Will Arnold Lose His Mind" pool, come collect your prize.