Star power

The LA Times' Michael Finnegan take a look at Gov. Schwarzenegger's star power: Week by week, Schwarzenegger has grown increasingly bold about using his Hollywood stardom to advance his prospects for reelection Nov. 7. He marked the fifth anniversary of 9/11 live during the season opener of ESPN's "Monday Night Football." His recent visits with the Dalai Lama and British Prime Minister Tony Blair made the front pages. He campaigned last week on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." And this: As for free media coverage, Angelides has struggled from the start to draw a fraction of what Schwarzenegger routinely gets, often in high-profile venues with no tough questions. On "Monday Night Football," he appeared in the middle of a Chargers-Raiders game with a California firefighter who had been a 9/11 rescue worker. "These firefighters, they're just unbelievable, because you know it's the most selfless profession," Schwarzenegger said, with no probing about his political battle with firefighters last year over pension benefits. "They risk their own lives to save other lives. I make a lot of action heroes in my life, but those are the true action heroes." "Isn't that the truth?" the announcer said. "Third down and six. Pass is complete…. Gov. Schwarzenegger, it's great to see you."