STOP THE PRESSES

Assembly candidates in two key races this fall issed news releases this week with this earth-shaking news: The Republican governor has endorsed the Republican candidate in each contest.

I've only been writing about politics for 25 years, so my news judgment may not yet be completely refined, but it seems to me that it would only be news if a Republican governor endorsed a Democratic candidate or vice versa. In the news business, they call what took place this week "dog bites man" events.

Yet the candidates strived to make the endorsements seem noteworthy. "We are very pleased to have the endorsement of the governor," declared Nellie McGarry, who is seeking to unseat Democratic freshman Barbara Matthews.

The press release said Arnold Schwarzenegger's endorsement "ends months of speculation as to whether the governor would choose sides."

This also just in: President Bush has endorsed Republican challenger Bill Jones in his campaign to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Watch this space for future partisan surprises.