3-RING POLITICS ISSA OUT; UEBERROTH, GARAMENDI IN. COURT REJECTS SUITS ELECTION HAS CREATED REAL 'CIRCUS-LIKE ATMOSPHERE'.

Byline: Rick Orlov and Mariel Garza Staff Writers

The ``Arnold Factor'' hit like an earthquake in California's recall politics Thursday, cracking Democratic unity, driving out the congressman behind the movement and pulling in a Republican voice from the past.

It was the wackiest day yet in the recall free-for-all with another day still left for candidates to file. Only 13 have completed the process but 527 have pulled nominating papers, according to the secretary of state's unofficial count.

The state Supreme Court shattered Gov. Gray Davis' hopes for a judicial rescue by refusing to hear a series of challenges from the governor and others, but Chief Justice Ronald George acknowledged that the process has created ``chaos, confusion, and circus-like atmosphere.''

Rep. Darrell Issa, who financed the recall campaign, announced tearfully that he wouldn't run after all now that actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has entered. So did the man leading in the polls, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who was clearly angered that Schwarzenegger misled him.

State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi jumped in along with fellow Democrat Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, despite intense efforts to keep them out. And Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, the House minority leader, joined other Democrats in breaking ranks and calling on party members to back a single candidate, according to The Associated Press.

But it was Schwarzenegger who stole the spotlight with his nationally televised surprise announcement Wednesday night followed Thursday afternoon with a theatrical visit to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office in Norwalk to get his nominating papers.

Making his way through a throng of reporters, camera crews and cheering fans, he got his papers from a clerk and promised that ``on Saturday, I'll be back'' to meet the 5 p.m. deadline.

``This is the next step for running for governor of California and to bring the government back to the people,'' he told reporters. ``It is very important that we straighten out the mess we're in.

``Special interests cannot buy me. I have enough money that I don't have to take any money from special interests. Right now we are in this situation because special interests are the ones ruling Sacramento.''

Democratic Party leaders insisted that they remained united despite the fact Bustamante and Garamendi declared their candidacies even though it might undermine Davis' chances of survival.

Davis echoed the theme, telling teachers in Anaheim to ``Terminate the Terminator,'' according to the AP. While acknowledging that he wished fellow Democrats had stayed out of the race, he took comfort knowing that ``every Democrat says they are against the recall, and I take them at their word.''

State Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres would not discuss the impact of Schwarzenegger or the entry of two major Democratic candidates in the election.

``This recall, financed and driven by extremist Republican Darrell Issa, is making a mockery of California and is an abuse of its election system,'' he said.

``Yesterday, today and all the way through election day, Democrats all over California, as well as our national Democratic leaders, remain united to urge a No vote on the recall.''

Republicans had their own dramas going as well.

Former Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, who won praise for organizing the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, said he might enter the race.

``He pulled papers today in Orange County. He is considering whether to enter the governor's race,'' consultant Dan Schnur said. ``He's been approached by several people urging him to consider running.''

If he does decide to enter the race, a move expected by today, Ueberroth would abandon his Republican Party affiliation to run as an independent with a pledge to serve out only the remainder of Davis' term and assemble a bipartisan team.

To the surprise of his closest advisers, Issa, R-Vista, the auto burglar alarm millionaire who financed the recall signature drive, abruptly pulled out of the race.

Issa would not endorse any of the other candidates, but said Schwarzenegger's entry ensured a choice of candidates and that he would continue to work to recall Davis.

``It is definitely the Arnold factor,'' said Ken Khachigian, the campaign consultant for Issa who indicated he was as surprised as others at Issa's withdrawal from the race. ``He was probably feeling with Schwarzenegger in the race that there was nowhere to go.''

Riordan issued a statement endorsing Schwarzenegger late in the day, but only after drawn-out negotiations.

In it, Riordan noted he was more concerned with the need for change in the state's leadership and asked voters to consider Schwarzenegger.

``They talked, but it was a very terse conversation,'' said one aide. ``The mayor was not enthusiastic about the situation.''

Former Republican Congressman Michael Huffington also pulled out and endorsed Schwarzenegger over his former wife, political columnist Arianna Huffington, who is running as an independent.

``This week my children told me that they did not want their parents to run in this election - either one of us,'' Huffington said in a statement. Assemblyman Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, said he would not enter the race. ``I said from the start I would not run if either Mayor Riordan or Arnold Schwarzenegger was in the race. I don't have to get in.''

Schwarzenegger's candidacy did not chase off Bill Simon, the Republican candidate who lost a gubernatorial bid to Davis less than a year ago. Citing a poll that shows him leading the actor, Simon said he will file his campaign papers Saturday.

Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks, said he's still considering a run, though he admitted that Schwarzenegger ``is certainly changing the dynamics greatly ... I don't think there's any question that he will have an appeal to moderate voters.''

While creating a stir, Schwarzenegger has not offered any concrete solutions to issues such as fixing the state's budget shortfall and opening up the partisan gridlock in Sacramento. However, he said he supports putting children first in state funding and ``bringing businesses back to California.''

Campaign adviser George Gorton said details of the actor's proposals will be forthcoming as well as an extensive campaign in the $15 million to $20 million range across the state.

``This campaign is only a day old and we're still figuring things out,'' Gorton said. ``We will have specifics as the campaign goes along.''

It has been a whirlwind week of political speculation that began with Davis picking up support from the state and nation's largest union organization and a decision by Sen. Dianne Feinstein to stay out of the race.

Feinstein reiterated that decision Thursday as she continued to decry the recall as ``a carnival.''

``I've had 13 elections and this is the closest I've come to a draft,'' Feinstein said on CNN. ``I will not reconsider my decision. I don't know why it is so hard for people to accept that.''

Feinstein said she believes Davis can beat the recall by focusing on his own abilities and not the motives of his opposition.

``What's happening is that everyone out there wants to be governor on the cheap without having to go to all 58 counties,'' Feinstein said. ``They say they want to be a governor for all the people, yet they don't know the people.''

Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, said she would let Democratic leaders decide whether she should run for governor but she acknowledged that Bustamante ``is really the legitimate person to take this, but we don't know whether he has the resources.''

Staff Writer Lisa Friedman contributed to this report.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

11 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) DAVIS

(2 -- color) SCHWARZENEGGER

(3 -- color) McCLINTOCK

(4 -- color) FLYNT

(5 -- color) BUSTAMANTE

(6 -- color) GARAMENDI

(7 -- color) RIORDAN

(8 -- color) HUFFINGTON

(9 -- color) UEBERROTH

(10 -- color) ISSA

(11 -- color) COLEMAN