Like all political scientists, I’m having a ball because of the chance to talk about how the system works. The last time there was a semester this good, from an education standpoint, was the Florida recount. Unfortunately, this only goes until Oct. 7, but for the first six weeks of teaching introductory American government, it’s wonderful.

What is the process? That is the constant question, because it’s so unusual and bizarre. What are the strategies of the various candidates? What is the significance of Bill Simon pulling out? I got a lot of calls about that. And each day there appears to be more news.

This is certainly the No. 1 political news story in the United States, and it has overshadowed the presidential race. It’s seen as a precursor to the presidential race, because it’s shaking down into a party battle, which does foreshadow the ’04 presidential election. That’s one reason it’s getting so much interest in D.C. The other reason is that people like to laugh at California. Although it’s not as crazy as people think – in that there’s only about four or five serious candidates. This is not 135 candidates for governor – that’s over. Still, people like to use the words “crazy” and “California” together.

He’s going nowhere – his initial appearances were so dispirited and tired. But the real reason is the myth of the California independent voter, the notion that people in California are not interested or loyal to either party. This race is going to be decided by the people who are loyal to their party. Since Ueberroth is running as an independent, he has no base in this particular race.