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Pieing of Nader Still an Unsolved Mystery

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From Times Staff Reports

A member of the Biotic Baking Brigade, a loose network of San Francisco pie-throwing politicos, said Wednesday that he did not believe anyone from the group was responsible for the pastry flung in the face of consumer activist Ralph Nader on Tuesday.

The brigade tends to target rich oppressors of working men and women and “wouldn’t get involved in progressive politics infighting. It’s not our bag,” said the operative, who goes by the moniker Agent a la Mode.

The group has pied San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, former Chevron Chief Executive Ken Derr and others.

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“I do want to stress that anyone with a pie and a vision of a better world can deliver just desserts,” said Agent a la Mode. “But in the esprit de pie of the Biotic Baking Brigade, [Nader] is not a worthy target. He’s not deserving of pie.... This is one of the first times in recent history that I’ve actually cringed and said, ‘Oh, my God.’ ”

Nader was pied -- though some media reports said the dessert looked more like a cake -- as he endorsed Green Party candidate Peter Camejo for governor in the recall campaign. Camejo quickly blamed Democrats, who had lashed out at Nader for drawing liberal votes away from Al Gore in the 2000 presidential race. But a California Democratic Party spokesman suggested it was internecine Green Party pie-fare.

More in GOP Back Schwarzenegger

Eight of the 20 California Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives endorsed Schwarzenegger within a week of his announcement. The latest was Rep. Christopher Cox of Newport Beach on Wednesday. More endorsements were expected within days. Goodwill toward the actor-turned-candidate runs strong within the influential Republican delegation; he organized a dinner for lawmakers in Washington earlier this year and has attended other delegation meetings.

None of the other GOP House members had yet endorsed Bill Simon Jr., Tom McClintock, Peter Ueberroth or any other Republican on the recall ballot.

“I don’t see any opposition in the delegation toward Schwarzenegger,” said Brad Smith, an aide to Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas), chairman of the state GOP delegation, who endorsed him as soon as he announced. Smith said the delegation would produce “a strong showing for Arnold’s candidacy.”

But some of the Republican fence-sitters were, like many Californians, looking for more detail from Schwarzenegger before making up their minds.

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“I think Arnold’s a great candidate,” said Rep. Gary G. Miller (R-Diamond Bar). “I have a few questions for him on a couple issues, though. Then I think I’ll have the information to make a decision.”

Miller, who is anti-abortion, said he might ask Schwarzenegger about judicial appointments. The actor has said in the past that he favors abortion rights.

Gambling Site Lists Odds in Election

You hear all the time about this or that candidate being a longshot, but if the offshore Internet gambling site BoDog.com is to be believed, Arnold Schwarzenegger is an extreme shortshot in the recall election.

BoDog released its opening-line odds handicapping the recall ballot this week, and Schwarzenegger was listed at 1:10. No, not 10 to 1. One to 10. That means that a gambler would have to bet $10 to win $1 if Schwarzenegger were elected.

“Essentially, this is an informal form of polling the voting public,” said BoDog President Rob Gillespie. “As the wagers come in, our oddsmakers will have to adjust the odds according to how the public is wagering.”

Among the other candidates, Cruz Bustamante is listed at 2 to 1, Bill Simon is 4 to 1, Peter Ueberroth is 6 to 1 and Larry Flynt is 100 to 1.

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Gary Coleman? He’s 500 to 1. Now that’s a longshot.

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