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Calm down, guys.

I'm not part of Arnold's campaign, but I've already learned the First Law of Arnold.

Release information when it will have the most impact.

He will have a press conference in 1-2 weeks.

Every news reporter, TV camera and space alien will be there. We will probably discover a few new planets since their news organizations are seen at the press conference for the first time.

"No new taxes," he will say. "And we're going to roll back that awful car tax increase."

"Mr Schwarzenegger," says a reporter, "How are you going to pull off the spending cuts needed for this?"

"Call me Arnold. I'm still checking my options, so I'll let you know in next week's press conference."

"Arnold won't increase taxes!" will blare on the front page of every news organ and TV show existing in this universe, all parallel universes and even a few stray solar systems.

In the mean time, the story about new planets will be relegated to Page G-22 of the Science section.

What's on G-1? "Arnold's Car: How Arnold helped develop the Civilian Hummer", together with pictures of all five of his Hummers and interviews with his full time driver and mechanic. Arnold: "GM Haz been good for me, but I've helped save GM. Ha ha!"

(You may laugh at this pathetic excuse for journalistic judgment -- except for one thing. Which story would be more widely read?)

Next week, once again, every news organization in the known universe, and yet more in universes et to be discovered, will be there. The newly discovered universes will land on page 21 of the science section(*). A few senient amoebae will have accelerated their evolution just to be there.

"Guys," he will say, "It's like this. Californians are sick and tired of too high taxes and of government that doesn't serve the people. So it's time for government to tighten their belts, just like private industry has had to. We're going to roll back spending to the levels of three years ago, adjusted for inflation and population growth. That will eliminate our deficit and stabilize the situation."

"Arnold," says the reporter, "What are you going to do about illegal aliens?"

"That's a tough one. Join us next week."

Do you understand what this does?

It creates suspense.

It makes people hungry for more.

We probably won't know his complete plan until a week or two before the election.

But remember, we don't need to decide to vote for him until election day. I tentatively support him because I believe he'll do the right thing, and I believe he will be most effective in making sure the right thing is done. I'll know if I'm right by election day. Then I'll vote accordingly.

Fair enough?

D