Reports have indicated that Arnold Schwartzenegger is “leaning against” running for governor. I’m starting to feel disappointed. As a conservative, I don’t exactly relish the prospect of a liberal Republican as California’s standard bearer–but I do think Arnold might very well defeat Davis and believe the whole thing would be a hoot to watch. Also, I’m less convinced than many that former LA mayor Richard Riordan is a good alternative. He’s not a fantastic campaigner and I’m not sure he would do well in the klieg-light scrutiny of the full California media. My favorite candidate probably would be state senator Tom McClintock, a whip-smart conservative. The best candidate might be Bill Jones, the former secretary of state who failed to secure the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2002. In my view, he’s the one Republican who could have beat Davis last November. Looks like he’s not interested in another try. Too bad more of us on the Right didn’t appreciate him when he was actually up for the job.