California Steamin' (WSJ editorial on the recall)

The Wall Street Journal | 6/16/03 | WSJ editorial

[Wolfstar]

NOTE: The following is an exerpt from an WSJ editorial on the attempt to recall Gray Davis. I just read the editorial in the print version of the newspaper, where it was sitting in a stack of back issues. I can't provide an online link, because the WSJ site (not same as Opinion Journal site) is available to subscribers only.

[BEGIN VERBATIM EXERPT, which is the editorial's last two paragraphs]

It's true that if the recall makes it to the ballot, the election transition could be messy. California's next governor could win with a small plurality, or voters could replace Mr. Davis with another tax-and-spend liberal who's unwilling to restore fiscal discipline. But the consequence could hardly be worse than the incompetent status quo.

It was Thomas Jefferson who said that a revolution every generation or so has its uses. Democracy by initiative and recall isn't pretty, and it sometimes makes mistakes, but it is a useful balance to the tendency of modern government to become controlled by unaccountable political elites. A little revolution is just what California needs.

[END EXERPT]

[Wolfstar]

"...it is a useful balance to the tendency of modern government to become controlled by unaccountable political elites."

I have ranged from being ambivalent to opposed on the recall matter. Why? Although I think recalls are an important, if under-used tool of the people to directly check elected officials, I am suspicious of the motives and timing of those who organized this Davis recall, and concerned that the outcome could be worse than the status quo.

However, the WSJ's editorial — in particular the point of view highlighted above — is the best argument in favor of recalling Davis that I've come across. There most definitely is something to be said in favor of the people shaking up the status quo every now and again.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

YES!!!!!!

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[AlaskaErik]

It's true that if the recall makes it to the ballot, the election transition could be messy. California's next governor could win with a small plurality, or voters could replace Mr. Davis with another tax-and-spend liberal who's unwilling to restore fiscal discipline. But the consequence could hardly be worse than the incompetent status quo.

Regardless of who wins this election, if it comes to pass, it will put on notice all future candidates for at least a generation that there are consequences for ineptitude and incompetence. For that reason, Davis should be recalled.

[Wolfstar]

I still have some deep concerns about the recall effort, Ernest, but if it does make it to the ballot, I've decided to vote for it in the Jeffersonian spirit.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Recalling Davis sticks a big black mark on the Democratic Party, even if one of their own ends up winning the vacant office. They'll turn on Davis, of course, and try to suggest that the state's budget problems are all his fault and that they are actually glad he was replaced. But inside, they'll all be very unsettled - a political insider with a guaranteed position, one of their own, will have been forcibly yanked from office by the electorate, and in these times, in a state with strict gun control laws, that sort of thing just ain't supposed to happen.

A successful recall will have a salutary effect on Democrat policy-making - they'll be trimming their leftist sails in the future no matter what their rhetoric sounds like.

[Wolfstar]

Even though I've decided to vote for it, I still want to encourage my brothers and sisters on the right to never underestimate the political class. One unwelcome consequence is likely to be that the political class will quietly pass all sorts of legislation making recalls even harder to accomplish, if not all but impossible.

[narby]

Terminate Gray Davis

[jocko12]

Any body would be better than what we have for a govenor!!!!

[Hugin]

I am suspicious of the motives and timing of those who organized this Davis recall, and concerned that the outcome could be worse than the status quo.

How so? The timing is to get rid of Davis ASAP instead of letting him have another 3 years. As for motive, maybe Darryl Issa wants to be governor, but so what? I don't think he will be, but in any case he would be an improvement.

The main Republican argument against seems to be "let's wait and let them stew. Things are so bad we are sure to win the next election." Well that's what people said about Davis three years ago in the energy crisis. And that's what they said about Clinton in 95. Things can turn around. If the economy recovers tax revenues will go up and the budget deficit could be gone in a year. Davis could come out smelling like a rose, and DiFi or some other Dem be elected Gov in 96 anyway. You gotta take your shots when you have them.

[Wolfstar]

"A successful recall will have a salutary effect on Democrat policy-making..."

Don't hold your breath waiting for this to happen. The Left NEVER quits. They just tweak strategy and change tactics.

[My2Cents]

Not only this, but if a Republican is ever again elected Governor, there will be the Bob Mulholland-variety of Democrats who will immediately start recall petitions to kick the Republican out. The current recall is being done for valid reasons. If successful, though, the Democrats will use the recall out of spite to frustrate the next Republican chief executive.

[My2Cents]

Had there been a competent campaign run against Davis last year, he would have lost.

[Wolfstar]

Hugin, I've decided to vote for it, if it makes the ballot. Let's let it go at that. If I start enumerating my concerns for you, seeing them written down may just change my mind.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

One unwelcome consequence is likely to be that the political class will quietly pass all sorts of legislation making recalls even harder to accomplish, if not all but impossible.

Yes the ruling class has an attitude best shown by this:

______________________________________________________

[Hugin]

If successful, though, the Democrats will use the recall out of spite to frustrate the next Republican chief executive.

I think the RATS will do this regardless of whether the Davis recall is successful or not. We better get used to it.

[Wolfstar]

Absolutely. The Left is nothing if not vindictive and spiteful.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A successful recall will have a salutary effect on Democrat policy-making - they'll be trimming their leftist sails in the future no matter what their rhetoric sounds like.

Exactly right!

And not just in California!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Right!!!!!

________________________________________________

[Wolfstar]

The best political cartoon I've seen in along time. Thanks for posting it.

[John Jorsett]

One unwelcome consequence is likely to be that the political class will quietly pass all sorts of legislation making recalls even harder to accomplish, if not all but impossible.

Recall is part of the state constitution, so any changes would have to be ratified by the voters. Not bloody likely, in my opinion. The politicos have made repeated attempts to get the voters to repeal the state's term limits, to no avail, and this would be no different. Voters would see any attempt at making recall more difficult as an effort to reduce accountability, and that would be a hard sell in this climate.