EDITORIAL THE DEBATE DEBATE STOP TALKING ABOUT TALKING.

WE know that the California governor's race is officially under way because the two candidates have started sparring over that old standby: How many debates should we have?

Predictably, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- the incumbent and favorite -- wants just one. Just as predictably, Treasurer Phil Angelides -- who needs all the help he can get -- wants eight.

If the routine holds true to form, Schwarzenegger will contemptuously ignore Angelides' pleas for meetings, while Angelides will whine about how the governor is ``ducking'' him.

Do we have to go through this every election season?

Can't we just agree on, oh, three debates? That would allow for a range of venues and formats over a long period of time, without getting tedious. And if three were the standard for all gubernatorial elections, we could be spared future renditions of this tired story.

No ducking, no whining. Stop debating debates, and start discussing the people's business.