The blogosphere is buzzing these final two weeks of the election season not about Schwarzenegger versus Angelides, but about Strickland versus Chiang (in the race for state controller) and McClintock versus Garamendi (in the race for lieutenant governor). A new independent expenditure committee, Team 2006, has been formed by five Native American tribes that operate casinos in Southern California. Four of the tribes have contributed nearly $9 million to Team 2006.
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In a fairly significant coup for the Democratic candidate, the right-leaning San Diego Union-Tribune has endorsed Jerry Brown for attorney general. The paper seems as surprised by its own endorsement as most anybody else would be:

Twenty years ago, it would have been hard to imagine this editorial page endorsing Democrat Jerry Brown for statewide office. His two terms as governor, 1975-1983, were more notable for quirkiness and liberalism than substantive achievements. But if all one were to know of Brown was his record the past eight years as Oakland mayor, he would seem the model of a pragmatic, capable centrist – someone who sees economic revitalization, not government programs, as key to his city’s quality of life; an advocate of charter schools and more aggressive policing; and a frequent foe of public employee unions.

By contrast, the background of his Republican opponent – state Sen. Chuck Poochigian – is uninspiring. It is one thing to be a successful attorney in Fresno private practice, or a fairly effective legislator. It is another to be a strong leader of the Attorney General’s Office …

The Union-Tribune also endorsed State Senator Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) for lieutenant governor over John Garamendi.