Nurses Turn Tables on Schwarzenegger "Tonight Show" Appearance

Supporters of Proposition 89, the campaign-finance initiative spearheaded by the California Nurses Assn., have purchased advertising time Wednesday and early Thursday on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to counter the appearance of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 30-second ad features footage of Schwarzenegger promising to sweep away special interests from California -- a task, they conclude, that has failed. The spot is scheduled to be shown in Monterey, Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, but not in Sacramento or San Francisco during the show.

State Treasurer Phil Angelides and his supporters have demanded equal time and sent thousands of e-mails to the late-night show — arguing that federal law requires broadcast entertainment shows to be fair to major candidates. Angelides also asked California affiliates to pull the show. But NBC contends the Schwarzenegger segment should be considered news, and therefore exempt from the rules.

(Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP)