California Insider

Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger has selected as his press secretary Margita Thompson, a veteran of California and national politics who has been working as political producer for CNN's Larry King Live. Thompson was California press secretary for the Bush campaign in 2000 and served in the same job in Dick Riordan’s campaign for governor last year. She was also director of external affairs for TechNet, a public policy organization that lobbies for high tech firms and interests. She worked for former Gov. Pete Wilson in two different stints and is a graduate of UC Berkeley.

The LA Times, in what it admits is a difficult task, tries to figure out what is going through Bill Lockyer's mind with his embrace of Arnold Schwarzenegger followed by his suggestion that an 800-number be established to solicit more allegations against the governor-elect for mistreating women. Here is the story. Registration required.

NOTE: Don't be alarmed by the posting time. I am in St. Petersburg, Florida, through Wednesday, where I will be leading a session on blogging for a conference of political reporters and editors. I am on east coast time even if my blog software is not.