Reply #6: The lack of substance is thanks to Schwarzenegger.

[Spider Jerusalem]

The recall was a circus from the beginning, but Schwarzenegger's involvement turned it into the other real contenders vs. him, and he's been coasting on his celebrity without defining any real substantiative positions. Which is why the other major candidates have been waging a campaign in opposition to Schwarzenegger the man rather than in opposition to his stands on the issues...because he hasn't really defined any save in the most vague and nebulous terms. Hard to campaign on the issues against a candidate with instantaneous name recognition and a high level of popularity and almost nothing else, especially since most people seem to view politics as a glorified popularity contest.