Schwarzenegger, morphed into Meg Whitman, strikes back at Poizner ad

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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former bodybuilding champ, takes a certain amount of pride in his appearance. So his staff took notice Wednesday when Schwarzenegger’s head morphed into that of Meg Whitman – in a television commercial unveiled by Steve Poizner, a Republican candidate for governor. Poizner, the state insurance commissioner who badly trails Whitman in the polls, wants to portray her to conservative primary voters as ‘another Arnold,’ as the ad says – meaning a moderate Republican. (The governor’s 24% approval rating might also have something to do with it.)

Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear shot back:

‘We’re waiting for the ad where Commissioner Poizner explains why he refused to furlough his office and only cut his budget after the governor forced him to do so. He’s probably saving it for the general election after he overcomes his 30-point deficit to his primary opponent.’

--Michael Rothfeld in Sacramento