# California Democrats: It's best not to broadcast your cynical machinations. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 23, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379 "2003-07-23T14:54:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/21 "2003-07-24T03:16:54Z")
Does anyone want to trade state legislatures? Anyone? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Truth\_Seeker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/22 "2003-07-24T04:42:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*(And I’m also _completely shocked_ at the suggestion that the Grey Davis recall effort might be motivated by partisan politics!) \*\* As well you should be. The Republican establishment both in California and nationwide is quite ambivalent about the whole recall effort. The smart money says that holding a recall is a poltical mistake. First, the Democrats currently control both houses of the California Legislature and the Governorship. Since the California state budget crisis is going to get worse before it gets better and since resolving it is going to require very unpopular measures, the wise thing to do is to let the Democrats “enjoy” governing the state for the next couple of years. By then the worst of the crisis will be over and Democrats will have burned up so much political capital that the Republicans will have the next election handed to them, especially the gubenatorial race which would be an open slate anyway. On the other hand, while turning Davis out of office probably won’t be that difficult, there is no guaranty that he’d be replaced by a Republican. The dynamics of a recall are kind of weird. For one thing, the winner is whoever gets the most votes – there are no run-offs. This means that, in a crowded field, the winner might take only 15%-20% of the vote. If the Democrats could field just one candidate, they’d probably win. Then the new Democratic govenor could “take the bath” and blame everything on Davis, thereby starting with a fresh slate and lining him or herself up for a second term in 2006. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante is attempting to do this by claiming that, despite all previous precedent in California, there ought to be _two_ special elections. One to recall the govenor and then a second one, if necessary, to pick his replacement. This is kind of amusing since one of the Democrat’s big arguments against a recall was that holding a special election would be too expensive. Maybe with two, you get egg rolls . . . Anyway, so far, the recall campaign has not been driven by partisan politics. It’s been driven by a certain U.S. Congressman’s ambition coupled with a great deal of popular discontent. Polls pretty solidly demonstrate that between 30 and 40 percent of _Democrats_ were in favour of recalling Davis. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/23 "2003-07-24T04:46:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*See, _this_ is why the Democrats are getting their asses kicked by the Republicans… > > (And I’m also _completely shocked_ at the suggestion that the Grey Davis recall effort might be motivated by partisan politics!) \*\* Who’s Grey Davis? ---
**Author:** ![BlackLabel1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@BlackLabel1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackLabel1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/24 "2003-07-24T04:58:10Z")
Well I dont consider myself either Democrat or Republican ( and yes, a lot of people my age [20] don’t want to identify with a particular group), but I am really behind the recall of Davis at least because of his plans to raise tuition statewide. I’m a student and I can tell you its tough right now anyway with our economic crisis, so maybe I’m hoping a Republican can jump start something in our system. But either way, the democrats who are stupid enough to leave their mics on really shouldn’t be running this place no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/25 "2003-07-24T04:59:27Z")
Now, now, BlackLabel… stupidity was never an excuse to stay out of politics! What they need is a better Spinmeister… claim that the Republicans were SPYING!!! ---
**Author:** ![BlackLabel1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@BlackLabel1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackLabel1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/26 "2003-07-24T05:05:31Z")
Hahaha, thats the funniest thing I’ve heard all night! Hey do you need a job as a spinster? We should have some kinda contest… who can come up with the best spin for idiocy (its gonna be hard because Bill O’Reilly is a conservative!) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/27 "2003-07-24T05:48:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Ryan \* > \*\*Who’s Grey Davis? \*\* Governor of California. And this registered Democrat couldn’t sign the recall petition fast enough once he found out about it. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/28 "2003-07-24T06:36:29Z")
Is there a link with a transcript of any description of what was actually said, out of curiousity? ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/29 "2003-07-24T06:42:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Hahaha, thats the funniest thing I’ve heard all night! Hey do you need a job as a spinster? Spinster? I will NOT wind up as an unmarried old woman! > [@](#): > > who can come up with the best spin for idiocy Yeah, that WOULD be an interesting contest. Nowadays, the Republicans just blame everything on the Democrats, and the Democrats just blame everything on the Republicans. And the Green party blames everything on both of them, the Reform part is blaming everything on each other, and the Libertarians blame government in general. Maybe we should just lump everyone into the Blamist party. ---
**Author:** ![BlackLabel1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@BlackLabel1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackLabel1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/30 "2003-07-24T09:34:56Z")
I’ll bet Arnold would blame the machines… just a thought! ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/31 "2003-07-24T12:42:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Larry Mudd \* > \*\*Is there a link with a transcript of any description of what was actually said, out of curiousity? \*\* Probably not, I don`t think it was recorded. Just what some of the people reported hearing. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/32 "2003-07-24T13:24:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Governor of California. And this registered Democrat couldn’t sign the recall petition fast enough once he found out about it. \*\* No, that’s Gray Davis. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/33 "2003-07-24T14:21:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lemur866 \* > \*\*Wait, did the “major league asshole” gaffe really embarass Bush? I doubt it cost him a single vote, in fact it probably was a net benefit. \*\* Well, it probably cost him Adam Clymer’s vote. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/34 "2003-07-24T15:04:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\*Does anyone want to trade state legislatures? Anyone? Anyone? \*\* Bwah-ha-hah! Texas legislature incoming! [sub]Don’t worry, they probably won’t stay long[/sub] Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/35 "2003-07-24T15:51:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Ryan \* > \*\*Who’s Grey Davis? \*\* How blissfully unaware of US politics would one have to be not to know that? ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/36 "2003-07-24T15:57:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElvisL1ves \* > \*\*How blissfully unaware of US politics would one have to be not to know that? \*\* Whoosh, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/37 "2003-07-24T16:03:51Z")
I actually hope so. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/38 "2003-07-24T16:24:16Z")
**Elvis** : “Gr **e** y” vs. “Gr **a** y” ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/39 "2003-07-24T18:29:54Z")
Somebody help me out… What’s this “Major league @sshole” quote of Bush’s that is being refered to? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/40 "2003-07-24T18:53:31Z")
I’m somewhat embarassed that I don’t know this, but if the Governor of California were to die in office or resign, would the state constitution require an immediate special election to replace him, or would the Lieutenant Governor fill out his term? If the latter, I would be quite gratified to see Governor Davis resign; it would be nice to know that the Pubbies can’t **possibly** take the office prior to the next General Election. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379.md?page=3)