Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman slip and slide around issues like NASCAR drivers weaving through traffic. Whitman promises change with no details, mixed in with tired attacks on Brown, and the Zen master tells us that process is the program.

It looks like they may duck another issue courtesy of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger, according to the Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee, will appoint Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye as the new chief justice of the state Supreme Court later today. Cantil-Sakauye currently serves on the state Court of Appeal.

Chief Justice Ron George announced his retirement last week, potentially creating an important appointment for the next governor.

There still could be an issue here for Brown and Whitman if there is any controversy over the appointment. Cantil-Sakauye must be confirmed by a three-member panel whose members include the attorney general – Brown.

— Jim Sweeney