Another new narrative

Over the last few months, we've noted a series of broad narratives that the media has used to characterize our much-famed Governor. In March, we noted that the press had started noticing the strong opposition to his policies, led by teachers and nurses.

Well, the Chronicle today gave us a preview of what I think is going to be the new Arnold Narrative:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan for a November special election is a high-stakes gamble: Win and he clears his path to re-election. Lose and his cloak of political invincibility disappears.

Unless I missed a last minute deal, Arnold's "cloak of political invincibility" has already disappeared, hasn't it? I seem to remember a proposal to gut the state's pension program that was championed by our "invincible" governor. It didn't do so well. If they're looking for a Cloak of Political Invincibility to cover Schwarzenegger's no-longer-Mr. Universe-quality (political) body, then there's a fable about an emperor they should read.

Of course, the Governor has not yet committed to a special election. If he does, however, the Chron and its cohorts have a 5-month window before they need to frame their coverage of him.