I have stated several times that I am against the recall in California, and to date, I have seen no reason why I would vote for recall were I a Californian. I despise Davis, I think he is a hideous person and a worse governor, but people KNEW what they were getting when they voted for him. Unless you want to have state governments that resemble the government of Italy, changing every six months, I can’t see why recall is a good idea (and I do not see this as a far-right conspiracy- I don’t know of ANYONE who likes Davis). Elected governor’s should serve until they are convicted of a crime or resign.
Having said that I don’t think this is a far-right conspiracy, I must admit that some part of me does not want the CA GOP to get another chance. They chose to nominate the wholly unelectable Bill Simon, clearly ignoring the obvious opinions of the VAST majority of the people, and anyone with judgement that bad may not be fit to govern. Sure, they stood on principle, but if I am walking in the crosswalk and refuse to jump out of the way of a drunk driver, I may have stood on principle, but the result is going to be ugly. In other words, the CA GOP deserves this.
As much as I would like a liberal Republican in the CA governor’s office (Kos and Yglesias are right- Arnold as governor will not put CA in play for Bush, but a moderate face such as Arnold an be nothing but good for the GOP), I think I would vote against recall, and just in case it succeeds, I would vote for Cruz Bustamante. He is after all, the ELECTED Lt. Gov (and from what I can tell, he and Davis seem to hate each other). He was chosen for a reason- to fulfill the obligations of the office of Governor should Gray Davis not be capable of dispensing his duties.
Of course, I don’t have to live there- as an outside, it is rather easy for me to pompously stand on principle.
James Joyner
I’ve been against the recall as well, but it is part of the constititutional process in California. And Gray Davis played a rather underhanded game by running anti-Riordan ads in the GOP primary, thus helping choose the weaker candidate to run against last November.
The bottom line now is that the recall is a done deal. So, were I a California resident, I’d vote to throw Davis out and for whichever candidate I wanted to replace him. Arnold is my guess, but I haven’t really evaluated the other candidates or the odds yet.
Jeff
John,
You’re right in many respects. Because of this new recall trigger that can be pulled by anyone with a million bucks, politicians will have to spend more time raising funds and pandering to special interests to prepare for elections as well as post-election recall efforts. This will be a major league backfire on the GOP.
tom scott
Jeff said, “Because of this new recall trigger that can be pulled by anyone with a million bucks”
“In 1911, as part of the Progressive reform movement in California, the initiative, referendum, and recall were added to the State Constitution. Consequently, ballot measures began to play an increasing role in the creation of public policy.link
So Jeff, how is this a new recall trigger?
William
“Joeseph”Davis is a criminal and should be thrown out on his ass. The car tax is illegal and so is the fact that he wants to give 4,000 ILLEGAL ALLIENS driver’s liscenses. I can go on but if that isn’t breaking the law what is?
Ross Brooke
First of all, the recall flys in the face of the U.S. constitution and the California constitution.. These people were elected. They should serve out their terms, barring some obviously criminal activities. Otherwise we are already planning a recall of the next govenor, regardless of who he is or what he represents, and then we are immersed in an endless political quagmire which really does nothing for the welfare of human beings here or anywhere else.
If the recall vote is successful, who in the world can bring some good old fashioned common sense to the process of trying to insure the freedom to pursue happiness for all human beings?
Unfortunately, there are only career politicions or the fabulously rich who can even consider such a move.
We should question their motives. More importantly we should question our own motives.
We need to invest our energy ‘ which by the way is very temporary’ into taking care of our family and our neighbours. We have so much potential and we squander it in unethical wars, unethical political manuevers. in an attempt to preserve a power that we never had and never will have. There is one God. How stupid can you be?
Compassion is what is needed here. A new governor will not solve the problems of a burgening society.It is up to the people of this state and this nation to realize that they are not separate from the universe. Happiness is a personal responsibility.
H. Mosley
Iam sorry but if Mr. Daves would have been doing the job right.An not over spending the states money.This recall would have never happen. Mr Daves need to go.
H.Mosley
debbi
GOT A QUESTION. WHAT HAPPENS IF ON MONDAY DAVIS RESIGNS? OBVIOUSLY NO RECALL NEEDED???