I just returned from voting against Arnold. I phrase it that way because it felt like voting for Clinton in 1996 -- I wasn't so much eager for a second Clinton term as I was disgusted by the idea of President Bob Dole. Bustamante is as much of a clod as any career politician, but he'll do.

I'm used to voting booths where you flick switches and pull a lever, and this was a confusing punch-card system, so I had to ask for help. They had a practice system rigged up for all of us ignoramuses.

"Make sure you punch the hole all the way," advised the polling volunteer.

"Right, or I'll accidentally vote for Pat Buchanan."

She laughed.