Guvernatorial recalls in California--pretty frequent nowadays?

Factual Questions
41

Gotta say I agree with the Times editorial. I never liked Newsom and voted against him in the primary. He’s too slick and gives me the impression that he viewed the governorship primarily as the next rung in the ladder to a presidential run, just like SF mayor was a step to governor, and anything he did for the state was viewed through that lens. Not “what California needs is this” but “I can brag about this in a presidential campaign”.

On the other hand, the only crime he has committed is governing while Democrat, which doesn’t justify being recalled. And there is no acceptable replacement waiting in the wings. The one saving grace is the governor can’t do shit without the legislature’s consent, and no non-Democrat will get that for the 14 months they are in office. (I think it goes without saying that a Dem will get back in in 2022.)

I assumed Faulconer wasn’t serious about winning this time - he was just building name recognition for 2022.

The easiest way to end this madness would be to modify the state constitution to get rid of the second half of the ballot and treat a recall just like any other gubernatorial vacancy and have the Lt. Governor assume the position. I guarantee no more recalls drives would get serious funding, unless the gov and lt. gov were in opposing parties.

42

I do not like Newsom and I did not like Davis. But if he is going to be recalled then either of two things should happen. A second election to vote in a new governor or better just remove him form off and the Lt Governor becomes governor without an special election.

43

The recall law was actually substantially worse, if you can believe it, until a federal lawsuit in advance of the Gray Davis recall. Before that, you had to vote for recall to be allowed to vote on a replacement, so all the winner needed was a plurality of voters who had voted yes.

44

And to complete the circle, the B in Latin “Gub” is the V in old French “Gov” …