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Under your logic Republicans should just resign in mass from the legislature because there are a lot of problems facing the state and then Democrats can take FULL blame.

The problem with your argument is that it is a trailing indicator... you are buying into the pessimistic notion of "when things are bad they will only get worse"

I would argue that if a Republican took over from Davis (thus preventing further problems) that they would find themselves much in the same situation as Bill Clinton did when he took office... that being that things had been so bad and bottomed out that they could only rebound from where they were.

Let me modify that to note that there would certainly be at least a rough beginning - the tough decisions time. But fortunately the historic event of this being the first recall election to ever qualify for the ballot (and yes, I am assuming it does) it will provide a brief honeymoon.

And why do I think a GOPer will win? Because if this recall qualifies somewhat quickly then the law dictates the election be a special election (it will be outside of the window for it being placed on the next regularly scheduled election - the March primary - and thus by law a special election must be called by the Lt. Governor).

WHO do you think will turn out to vote? WHO do you think will head out to save Davis' @ss? Even those who disagree with the recall but don't like Davis will more often STAY HOME then go turn out and vote NO on the recall to save a man they do not like.

Were you aware of the special election aspect of this? If not then I think you should reconsider your scenarios. If you were then I cannot see why you would assume it more likely for a GOPer *NOT* to win?

Yes, I was aware of all the facts you mention. No, under my logic Republicans should not just resign in mass from the legislature so that Democrats can take the full blame. Where did you come up with that?

Again, I'll be happy to eat crow on this. But I've seen these types of efforts over and over again, and if this doesn't turn out to be a waste of time, energy, and money, it will be the rare exception. I realize you're just certain that this is that rare exception, but ardent backers of these types of efforts always are.

I think that the Cal GOP needs to focus on putting out a good, carefully thought out agenda for what they would do differently, aimed at gaining in the legislature next year. They need to target Boxer, who has won two Senate terms because of GOP disarray and lack of focus. They need to work to block Davis's agenda through traditional legislative means (which, BTW, they have a better chance of doing now than with a recall effort that fails, or puts another Dem into office).

Finally, I don't understand why you think that Democrats won't turn out to replace Davis with another Democrat. They'll understand the stakes as well as Republicans. (Our better hope is not that they don't turn out so much as that they turn out and split their votes among various candidates).