After Getting Played Out and Crushed Lt. Gov. Bustamante Lowers his sights

Ending nine months of silence, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante acknowledged in an interview that his controversial campaign during the recall election ruined his dreams of becoming governor, but said he's frustrated with developments at the Capitol and plans to run for another statewide office in 2006. Two of three jobs he's eyeing -- treasurer and controller -- would again pit the career Democrat, who wants tax hikes to blunt deficit-driven budget cuts, against Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, who opposes tax increases, if the governor runs again and is re-elected. [more]