What does the governor really mean when he says stuff?

It seems that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't even sure of where he stands, as he switches positions on crucial issues for reasons that seem inexplicable. I discuss this point in my column today on Schwarzenegger, just over four years after he won an historic recall election.

Here's a portion of the column:

But now we're not really sure what Schwarzenegger stands for.

He appears to get a kick out of driving his Republican base bonkers by lining up on the opposite side of fundamental issues that are daily fodder for radio talk shows. He signed a bill that makes California a leader on combating greenhouse gases and he's pushing a massive government health care plan.

Last week, he stunned Republicans by endorsing Proposition 93, the measure on the Feb. 5 ballot that will loosen term limits. It also will allow the Democratic leaders in the Legislature and 40 other lawmakers to extend their terms if it is approved.

This change in positions by Schwarzenegger was bigger than merely angering Republicans on term limits. Good-government types and many independents were upset because Proposition 93 offers lawmakers a chance to extend their terms without following through on their pledge to couple changes in term limits with redistricting reform.