Even though I've been campaigning hard for 29 days, today really feels like the day of a whole new race. The post-debate reaction from the people I'm meeting is inspiring and energizing.
I was very happy with the way the debate turned out. It really showed just how marked the difference is between my candidacy and those of the others in the race.
I was also struck by the fearful approach of the two leading candidates: Mr. Schwarzenegger didn't even bother to show up, and Mr. Bustamante skipped out after the debate, refusing to meet with the press as all the rest of us did. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought that I was taking part in a taping of "Fear Factor", not a debate.
And what did Arnold get for his skittish attitude? An egg on the shoulder, leading me to ponder the age-old political question: Which came first? The chickening out, or the egging?