Posted on 06/16/2003 4:57:46 PM PDT by PeoplesRep_of_LA
"We're serving notice that we're going to make this campaign about Darrell Issa's record -- both in and out of Congress."
So said the aptly named Democratic strategist Ace Smith, in speaking to a San Francisco reporter about his party's plans to derail the increasingly potent campaign to recall Gov. Gray Davis.
Smith and fellow partisans have decided their best bet is not to talk about Davis at all, but about Issa, the Republican congressman from San Diego County who's largely bankrolling the recall effort.
The strategy was on full display last week at a series of press conferences sponsored by local chapters of Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women and NARAL. The abortion lobby, fresh from defending partial-birth abortion in Washington, is turning its defensive energies toward Davis, hoping to make sure his administration isn't, well, aborted.
Along with fellow charter members of the anti-recall campaign -- most notably public-employee unions and environmental activists -- the abortion groups have decried Issa's record, while ignoring Davis'.
There's no blaming them for trying, but their denial isn't doing their man any favors.
If anything, the lack of enthusiasm for Davis' leadership among those carrying his banner is the best argument for the recall yet.
Back when the recall effort began, it all seemed so pointless and futile, even petty. For better or for worse, Californians had re-elected Davis last November. They had their chance to boot him from office, and they declined.
But since then, the recall movement has gained credibility, thanks in no small part to Issa's largess, as well as the governor's if-it-moves-tax-it approach to undoing his budget mess. In light of his 21 percent approval rating, it's safe to assume a fair number of Californians who backed Davis in November now suffer from buyer's remorse, thus making a once unthinkable recall now seem tantalizing.
It doesn't help Davis that even his staunchest allies seem unwilling or unable to make a positive argument for his continued leadership. Cataloging his most noteworthy accomplishments or demonstrating his competence and integrity is, apparently, too ambitious a task even for Sacramento's most-seasoned spinners.
That's why the pro-Davis groups have launched a frontal assault on Issa, denouncing the congressman as an "extremist" who's "out of touch with California." It's a classic diversionary tactic: If you can't win the debate, change the subject.
The problem is, it's not Issa's future that Californians would decide through a recall vote. It's Davis'.
Under state law, the recall ballot would contain two questions. The first would ask, simply, should Davis be removed from office? The second, which is binding only if a majority votes yes on the first, would offer a list of potential successors, with the top vote-getter among them taking office immediately.
Issa's name would almost certainly appear on that list, but so would several other Republicans (possibly Arnold Schwarzenegger) and some Democrats, who would likely be every bit as committed to the same liberal causes as Davis.
Besides, the question of who might succeed Davis would be rendered moot if the governor withstood the recall in the first place -- that is, if more than half the voters decided to let him stay. Yet even his supporters seem to doubt that could happen, as their anti-Issa rhetoric assumes that if recall makes the ballot, Californians will pick a new governor.
They're not alone.
While the state's leading Democrats -- such as Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Controller Steve Westly and Senate President John Burton -- oppose Davis' removal, they haven't ruled out putting their names on the ballot to succeed him. Clearly they realize that the California Democratic Party could soon be looking for a new standard-bearer, and they've got their eyes on the job.
But if neither Democrats nor Democratic constituencies think their governor can win, and they're unwilling to make a public case for why he should, then why do they bother to fight the recall at all? Wouldn't their energy be better spent picking a more suitable, less problematic replacement?
It's as though the special interests that make up the anti-recall movement believe a budget catastrophe and an avalanche of new taxes are a fair price to pay for a governor who serves his donors, and not the public, faithfully. That's their prerogative, but as long as they're fighting to perpetuate Davis' tenure, it would be nice to hear them offer a coherent explanation for why he deserves it.
Of course, there's a name for that kind of argument -- defending the indefensible.
There's no blaming them for trying, but their denial isn't doing their man any favors.
If anything, the lack of enthusiasm for Davis' leadership among those carrying his banner is the best argument for the recall yet.
So true. I love that this stuff is in print here in CA.
Naa, Democrates invented the concept of Hate Crimes. Therefore it is impossible for the LA Times, a Democratic shill of rag, to commit that.
I'm not sure what I'm hoping will happen. Just about every outcome is good.
If Davis miraculously survives, he's still a weak governor for the 2004 national elections.
If he's replaced by a Republican, the California GOP might be resurrected from the dead.
But if he's replaced by a Democrat, that person will also head to history's trashpile, because the problems of California can't be fixed by the Governor. Not without pain, anyway.
Hey Ace, good stratigery. Open you big yap about Davis and everyone will burst out laughing.
Your boy Davis spent money like 22 year old drunk sailor on leave, and now you have decided not to talk about Davis? LOL! Gawd I love this stuff.
Stupid moron politicians, can't even balance a simple budget and spend within their means.
Anyone ever got a good look at Davis? The guy looks like he's 19 years old going on 58. That leftist little paperweight, is some kind of weird freak.
Congressman Billybob
calgov2002:
 calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register |
Next Governor of California.
Really.
It is a two part interview, first is kind of goofy and typical of a star interview but the second is decent!
He sure as hell would be a lot better than Davis!
Yup, there's no up and out for Bray Davis.
If he's replaced by a Republican, the California GOP might be resurrected from the dead.
Really? D'ya think?
But if he's replaced by a Democrat, that person will also head to history's trashpile, because the problems of California can't be fixed by the Governor. Not without pain, anyway.
Correct, much to gain and little to lose. If we get a shrieking liberal, the state will get so wierd so fast that there will be a backlash in 2004 even without the budget mess. If it's a "moderate" he'll own that fiscal train wreck. Either way, all we have to do is weather this for a bit and things might actually get better.
OK, so I can dream... can't I?
I'm actually quite upbeat about California, because any change is likely to be an improvement.
My parents from northern California visited me this weekend, and this is the first time that they mentioned that they were considering leaving the state. I doubt they will actually do so, because they're retired and all their lifelong friends are there. But the comment was totally unexpected and I think it must represent a level of dissatisfaction with the current situation that most Californians must feel.
After they said that, I knew Davis would be recalled. It's going to be a circus, and it's going to be entertaining, but nobody could possibly be worse than Davis. That's why I believe you'll actually do the unthinkable, replace a governor without the revelation of a new scandal.
California Republicans, and there are millions of them, really need some good news and putting any Republican in Sacramento would be a plus.
CA Republicans seem pretty adept at eating their own over differences, but I don't see how they can do this in this unique recall format. It's as if the primary election winner statewide from both parties wins the whole enchilada, even if that person only gets 10% of the vote.
It's the equivalent of a carnival political atmosphere, and I don't have a clue how it will come out.
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