Does anyone want to trade state legislatures? Anyone? Anyone?
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.
Who’s Grey Davis?
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.
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!!!
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!)
Governor of California. And this registered Democrat couldn’t sign the recall petition fast enough once he found out about it.
Is there a link with a transcript of any description of what was actually said, out of curiousity?
Spinster? I will NOT wind up as an unmarried old woman!
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.
I’ll bet Arnold would blame the machines… just a thought!
Probably not, I don`t think it was recorded. Just what some of the people reported hearing.
No, that’s Gray Davis.
Well, it probably cost him Adam Clymer’s vote. 
Bwah-ha-hah! Texas legislature incoming! [sub]Don’t worry, they probably won’t stay long[/sub]
Enjoy,
Steven
How blissfully unaware of US politics would one have to be not to know that?
Whoosh, anyone?
I actually hope so.
Elvis: “Grey” vs. “Gray”
Somebody help me out…
What’s this “Major league @sshole” quote of Bush’s that is being refered to?
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.