Talk about timing. Today is the fifth anniversary of the vote to recall Gray Davis and elect Arnold Schwarzenegger governor. And today, the Secretary of State's office rejected the first petition submitted to recall Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The petition, submitted by the prison guards' union, failed to include Schwarzenegger's official statement in response, as is required. The mistake is a simple one, but somewhat understandable. By keeping the recall petition to one page ,the union may be able to circulate it more easily and inexpensively.

This is not the end of the story. The union now has the right to alter and re-submit its petition.