RECALL MADNESS
Another Chick chimes in

By Roy Rivenburg, Times Staff Writer

Out of pure kindness, we sponsored a lieutenant governor joke contest. The turnaround has been dramatic: Jay Leno launched a series of Bustamante broadsides and the candidate surged to No. 1 in most polls. Now even the world-famous Half Moon Bay (Calif.) Review has weighed in (see accompanying photo illustration).

Coincidence?

Maybe. But if Tom McClintock or Peter Camejo comes begging for help, we're going to start charging a fee (or insist on a cushy government job after the election). Tom and Pete, here's the kind of respect we can get you (courtesy of Leno):

• "A little bit of a scandal for Lt. Gov. Bustamante. It seems he has accepted $2 million from one Indian tribe, on top of $800,000 he already accepted from two other bribes. Oh wait, did I say 'bribes'? I meant 'tribes.' "

• "According to the L.A. Daily News, Las Vegas oddsmakers are picking Cruz Bustamante to win the gubernatorial election. How many casinos is this guy hooked up with?"

• "Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante has taken $2.5 million from Indian tribes — in quarters. Bustamante now says he's going to give that money to a ballot proposition instead of using it in his campaign. See, this is how politics is different from real life. Wouldn't it be great if you or I could rob a bank and then when the cops grab you, say, 'It's not for me. I'm giving this to the heart fund.' "