Governor Meathead?

The celebrity match-up could only occur in California: "Terminator" vs. "Meathead."

According to a statewide Field Poll released late last month, actor turned producer-director Rob Reiner came in first among potential Democratic challengers to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, besting three statewide Democrat officeholders--Treasurer Phil Angelides, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Controller Steve Westly.

So far, Reiner--known for his role as "Meathead," Archie Bunker's son-in-law on the '70s sitcom "All in the Family"--has given no indication he's running for governor or is even interested in the job.

Reiner cut his statewide political teeth in 1998 backing a successful 50-cent a pack tax hike on cigarettes to raise money (known in the industry as the "Meathead Initiative") for early childhood education programs.

Angelides, who announced his candidacy last week, has raised more than $12 million for his gubernatorial bid, augmenting his substantial personal wealth accumulated as a Sacramento-area developer. He has also criticized Schwarzenegger at almost every turn, most notably in last year's campaign over a plan to borrow $15 billion to refinance a major portion of the state deficit. Angelides called it a form of gambling and argued it was unfair to burden future generations with such debt.