Arnold, again

Arnold makes another move that will lead to re-election:

Gov. Schwarzenegger wants to use the state's projected $5 billion budget surplus to pay down debt and increase education and transportation spending, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The governor will officially unveil his revised budget on Friday, but the Times took an early look at the plan. It calls for paying $3.2 billion of the state's debt a year earlier than planned. It would also take the estimated $800 million in extra sales tax from higher gas prices and set up a special fund for transportation projects.

Another $5 billion will go to education to settle a lawsuit filed by the California Teachers Association and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell against the governor's administration. The agreement is to repay funds mandated by Proposition 98 that were cut from the education budget in recent years.

If Arnold decides to govern this way, it may not be half bad, and he would go a long way in repairing his image here in California. Look for his approval numbers and his head to head numbers to climb even more as these and other stories that are positive for him continue.

If, however, he returns to Republican pander after his re-election, one has to wonder about the public's trust of California's GOP in the future.