The Buzz: A hardball tactic could ricochet

Sacramento Bee ^ | 2/11/8 | Steve Wiegand

[SmithL]

Ted Costa isn't one to take government tomfoolery lying down. Costa, who heads the People's Advocate political watchdog group and was a leading architect of the 2003 recall campaign that toppled Gov. Gray Davis, is incensed that Democrats are trying to recall Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Atwater.

Chief among Denham's alleged crimes is that he opposed the state budget last year. But Costa says he's thinking about launching a recall against Senate-leader-to-be Darrell Steinberg, unless Steinberg repudiates the Denham recall effort. Costa's grounds: Steinberg helped get the state in its current fiscal mess by supporting last year's budget.

"The budget is $14 billion out of whack and these guys are out here playing games," Costa said. "I have a statewide mailing list … we raise enough money and we'll just put Mr. Steinberg on the ballot about July 15, right when he's supposed to be balancing the budget, and the whole damn bunch of them down there could take notice."

Costa says he'll poll others in the group before any final decision. Steinberg spokesman Jim Evans said Costa's threat "doesn't deserve a response."

At least not yet.

[John Jorsett]

This sounds like it might jazz things up a bit.

[tubebender]

Where do I send my money...