Matt Szabo has been in the campaign trenches as a communications guy with Bob Hertzberg and others. He blogs today that Arnold Schwarzenegger's standing ovation last night on Jay Leno shows how much celebrity clout the governor retains.

This is the kind of priceless good-will-type exposure Phil Angelides would kill to receive. Can you possibly imagine a scenario where the state treasurer, wire-rimmed glasses and all, would receive a standing ovation on the Tonight Show? Not in a million years.

Here’s the bottom line: the Democrats and unions can pound away at the governor all they want. They might even defeat every one of his initiatives in November. But a gubernatorial election is all about contrasts. For the Dems to unseat the governor, they will have to make a convincing case to the voters that their guy, whoever it is, is better and/or more appealing than Arnold.

Tonight, Schwarzenegger reminded everyone how difficult a task that will be.

Here's a lesson too in how nimble blogs are as a medium for news and analysis. Schwarzenegger popped onto the stage during Jay's monologue, ostensibly as a surprise guest (they just happened to have a Harley there for him to sign.) So sometime between 11:35 and midnight. Szabo's post went up at 12:17 am.