Schwarzenegger Sometimes Flies Under the Radar

The terse announcement came in an e-mail from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office at 4:47 p.m. Friday: The governor has “left the state.” Destination unknown.

Details about his whereabouts unfolded quickly, however, with the help of a few unofficial sources.

Schwarzenegger is said to be at his resort-style home in Sun Valley, Idaho, for a weekend getaway. No campaign appearances or fund-raising events are planned, according to his press office. Schwarzenegger aides offered few details beyond that -- not even word of when the governor would return.

“It’s personal, private,” said Margita Thompson, Schwarzenegger’s spokeswoman.

With the presidential election a few weeks away, word that Schwarzenegger has left California inevitably invites speculation that he’s about to hit the campaign trail for fellow Republican George W. Bush.

Schwarzenegger is expected to stump for Bush later this month.

But he said Thursday in a radio interview that he does not intend to do any sustained campaigning for the president.

“I always offer my help when he comes to California,” he told “The Larry Elder Show” on KABC-AM in Los Angeles. “I don’t want to travel around the country, really, and campaign, because that’s not what the voters sent me to Sacramento for.... That’s what I’m concentrating on right now. Now you know, it could easily be there will be maybe one stop or two.

“Any time the president comes out to California I’m there for him, at any time, and there may be some other stops. But I mean, I don’t want to go around and really spend this time traveling around with the president when that’s not what the people want me to do.”

Schwarzenegger’s travel plans have long been a sensitive subject. With a private jet, he is able to leave the state quickly and discreetly. During the transition last year, his office once released a statement saying he was in private meetings. He was in Hawaii.

After Schwarzenegger’s appearance at the Republican National Convention in New York last month, aides said he would return to California. But, mid-flight, he detoured to Sun Valley. His office did not correct the record.

“While it’s true that even the governor is entitled to privacy once in a while, there’s something unnerving about having our chief executive simply vanish for a couple of days without his being able to say where he’s going or, generically, what kind of place he’s going to or what continent he might be on,” said Peter Scheer, executive director of the California First Amendment Coalition.

When Schwarzenegger crosses state lines he’s no longer governor. Until his return, the job falls to the lieutenant governor, Cruz Bustamante, an opponent in the recall election. But in this case he is also out of state, in China on a trade mission.

Next in the chain of command is Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco), and he’s around this weekend.

“I intend to carry out my constitutional duties with neither fear nor favor,” said the acting governor. “I will probably be touring the fire [northeast of San Francisco] -- and Napa.”

Burton made one quick executive decision.

“He called me and fired me,” said Patricia Clarey, Schwarzenegger’s chief of staff. “He does it every time. I love the man.”