[Cicero]

Republicans would ``rather see an injured Gray Davis twisting slowly and keep him around as a foil'' than risk a Democrat winning the recall election.

I couldn't agree more. All this talk of a recall is obviously damaging to Davis and the Democrats. But I frankly hope that it doesn't succeed for the reason given.

Indeed, there is an even worse danger--that Riordan or some horrible RINO will replace Davis and offer the voters no alternative for the foreseeable future. As long as the Republican party in California is controlled by Gerald Parsky and his buddies, it would be foolish to give them another opportunity to screw things up or gain long-term control of the state party.

[NormsRevenge]

There may be a couple of silver linings, even if the recall fails. Parsky is probably going to be sent packing in the name of unity rather than continued divisiveness... And Davis is toast, no matter what.

[Brandon]

I couldn't agree more. All this talk of a recall is obviously damaging to Davis and the Democrats. But I frankly hope that it doesn't succeed for the reason given.

Far be it from me to tell the people of California what to do with this cretin, but I suspect you are right, fwiw. If Davis stays in place, he will be an albatross around both Boxer's neck and the Dem presidential nominee in 2004. With a sitting governor with approvals ratings in the 20s, California might actually be in play for President Bush next year -- and if California goes GOP, the election is over. There is no credible scenario for a Democrat electoral college win if they lose in California.