Journalists call it "inside ball" when you start looking at key advisors and political players like the ones around Gov.-elect Schwarzenegger. Conservative Sacramento Bee columnist Daniel Weintraub gives us an idea of whom to watch:
Maria Shriver: For obvious reasons
Paul Wachter: Manages Schwarznegger's personal financial portfolio. Money is money, and it works by the same basic rules everywhere. But managing an individual's portfolio is a very different game than managing a public budget. Journalists looking to sniff out stories of financial conflicts or undue influence will no doubt keep a close eye on Wachter.
Bonnie Reiss: CEO of Schwarzenegger's "favorite charity, the Inner-City Games." Weintraub describes her as "a former entertainment industry lawyer and environmental activist," although it's not clear whether he meant "former" to apply to both roles. One wonders what she thought of Schwarzenegger's suggestion that we could just abolish the state's environmental-law enforcement, supposedly since the feds are doing that. A director of a Las Vegas casino business. Possible chief of staff.
Bob White: political adviser, "the longtime alter ego of former Gov. Pete Wilson and political mentor to Schwarzenegger since the early 1990s"
Jim Brulte: State Senate Republican leader
Mike Murphy: Schwarzenegger political operative
Don Sipple: Schwarzenegger political operative
Congressman David Dreier: conservative Republican
Russell Gould: Wilson administration figure, possible chief of staff
Patricia Clarey: Wilson political operative, possible chief of staff, former Chevron lobbyist
Weintraub also explains why the selection of chief of staff will be a very key indicator for the future.
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