Ego Tripping

In an email news release transmitted yesterday, Tony Perkins' new Web network project AlwaysOn claims responsibility for Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to enter the California gubernatorial race.

Just days ago, AO launched a "Grudge Match" between Mr. Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis in the right hand column of its home page, and Arnold has been consistently running ahead of Davis by a 3-to-1 margin.

"I think it is the AO poll that ultimately pushed the Terminator into the race," said Matthew Falzone, the AO team member who creates the "Grudge Match" series.

Um, OK. Perhaps AlwaysOn's tongue is firmly planted in cheek, but really. This is a weak current events hook to promote the Web site, and it's unbelievable that AlwaysOn would have such effect. Still, maybe I should watch my Media Diet mouth. After all, Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie did break up.

Am I to blame? Shudder to think.