CIRCLE TWO DATES on your recall calendar: September 3 and September 17. The first is a candidates’ forum in Walnut Creek; the second, a candidates’ debate in Sacramento. For California voters, it’s their best chance at seeing the recall field up-close and personally. That is, if Arnold Schwarzenegger decides to participate. At last report, The Terminator wants to limit debates to himself and the Democratic front-runner, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante. Schwarzenegger may be a no-show on September 3 (personally, I doubt it; a last-minute switch would be keeping in Arnold’s tradition of keeping the press off-guard). Meanwhile, Team Arnold will try its best to muscle the California Broadcasters Association, sponsors of the September 17 debate, into keeping their stage as sparse as possible (translation: no Arianna Huffington).

The two broadcast appearances should go a long way in helping undecided Californians choose their next governor (assuming Gray Davis is recalled).