ARNOLD BOWING OUT?

Arnold Schwarzenegger won’t seek the California governor’s office in conjunction with a recall election set for October, a source close to the actor told Fox News.

Schwarzenegger, 55, is said to have met Sunday with former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. Riordan and Schwarzenegger are close, and Riordan said last week that he would consider a run if Schwarzenegger decided against a bid.

A shame, as he would have been a fun candidate. But Riordan would be a better governor.

(Hat tip: Maripat)

Update (1453): Steven Taylor has an analysis of how an Arnold-less race shakes out.

Update (1517): Maripat has an update saying that many conservative Republican leaders in the state were aligning against Arnold. That probably doesn’t matter as much without a primary, but it’s interesting if true.