Incompetence, Unpopularity and Murmurs of Corruption Why Gray Davis is to blame for the recall

SFgate.com ^ | June22 2003 | Tony Quinn

[Bullish]

It's never happened before but this fall, or no later than next spring, Gov. Gray Davis seems destined to face a recall election that could well end his governorship.

Davis supporters loudly proclaim this is an unjustified right-wing coup to undo last year's election results. They are right about the right-wing part, but wrong about justification. In fact, this recall is exactly what the Progressive reformers had in mind when they added direct democracy, including recall of public officials, to our Constitution 90 years ago.

[Bullish]

This guy's got it right.

[JennysCool]

Damn good analysis! Thanks for the post!

[ServesURight]

So Davis is recalled, a Pubbie wins and is responsible for fixing CA in a measly 2 years before the 2006 elections. Keep in mind that the CA Legislature is still dominated by Rats.

The Rats with their liberal media friends will just point fingers and another Rat will take over CA.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

[Honcho]

Good read BUMP!

[BlkConserv]

Why do you non-California FReepers want Davis to remain in power? You don't care about California or what happens to it, so why even add you negative 2-cent commentary on it?

[Publius]

Keep in mind that the CA Legislature is still dominated by Rats.

And a Democratic legislator who refuses to cooperate with a new Republican governor can also be recalled. And it will only take one legislative recall to put the fear of God into the rest of the herd.

[w_over_w]

This morning Mark Larson (KRLA 870AM) reported that Dufus goes to Saks of Beverly Hills every weekend. The clerks say he always shows up just before closing and requests that the store remain open just for him. He then hangs out in the shoe department and buys nothing. These folks are forced to stay open with no OT so that Dufus can stay current on the latest shoe styles. Weird.

[old school]

Even democrats, who thought that it was safe for them to do whatever they pleased, have cast a wary eye on this phenomenon. They too realise their own vulnerability. The message is, that you can't bowl-people-over and expect them to take it lying down!

[ServesURight]

Give me a break. The voters and time aren't there to recall every Rat in the legislature.

[telebob]

It's worth it to fight for the veto. A Republican governor can make a lot of trouble for the demo agenda, especially if the public sees him/her actually trying to fix the problems the dems have gotten us into.

The CA public is ready for new ideas, IMHO.

[AdamSelene235]

Why do you non-California FReepers want Davis to remain in power?

Because some people's role in life is to serve as an example to others of what NOT to do.

[sheik yerbouty]

Davis is California's answer to David Dinkens.

[anoldafvet]

or Dennis Kuchinich.

[ServesURight]

You don't care about California or what happens to it, so why even add you negative 2-cent commentary on it?

Because you people are cutting off you nose to spite your face.

A Republican governor, if Davis is successfully recalled, is going to get nothing done. Period. Democratic gubernatorial candidates will already materialize in 2005.

Let the state burn, which will teach the rest of the Republic a lesson in socialism.

[sheik yerbouty]

Davis can still work as a men's room attendant.

[ScottinSacto]

Lots of posters here keep displaying their disgust at the possibility of a GOP governor in the midst of this mess. Folks, if we don't get someone with a blue pencil and the willingness to use it, it will end up dragging the entire US economy down. We are taking it in the shorts out here with hundreds of new taxes and fees proposed...and not just little ones like an extra $2 to use the park or lake facility. They are aiming at Prop 13 and getting around it to hike property taxes. And there is even a bill for a local municipal income tax. How bad is bad enough for you folks? Yes, I agree they made the mess and should have to swim in it, but if the possibility of someone with an ounce of real vision and leadership taking over the helm, I believe that serves as just a vivid example of how wrong things are as would be the example of thousands of gainfully employed people having to sell their homes due to the inability to pay the higher property taxes and city income taxes. Do you really need the National Guard to come in and take over the bankrupt State Government to make your point? Gov Davis' approval rating is almost dropped into the teens....I think people get it and are tired of it. If a Republican comes in and takes over, almost anything they do will be better than what we have now...and can run on that record in 2006...while asking folks if they really want to go back to the days and policies of Davis as would happen with a Lockyer/Angelides governorship. Sorry for the rant and it is not personal ServesURight, but there are opportunities that are being overlooked in light of this terrible situation out here.

[Regulator]

This is where Davis is most vulnerable in the recall; essentially he must now run against himself to hold onto his job

And that's the key that is his undoing here: instead of running the smear machine on one other guy, the subject of the election is HIM. There will no doubt be more than one candidate on the other side; that plurality means that he won't have a clear target to level his dung barrage at.

The issue is gonna be Joe Davis. And that means he's gone.

[w_over_w]

The Rats with their liberal media friends will just point fingers and another Rat will take over CA.

That's a fairly simplistic view. First of all, if WE (Californians) are fortunate enough to get a republican governor, the reckless and corrupt financing of the state treasury will be exposed. Even the bias media will have to report it. Second, any current or subsequent reckless expenditures will be vetoed. The legislature doesn't have a 2/3s majority to override a veto. Third, with a republican governor the current anti-business environment can be turned around so that the record number of businesses leaving the state will stop the hemorrhaging of needed revenues for growth. Finally, there are many more solid reasons to remove this horrible man and replace him with a republican. But I think I've provided an ample counter point(s) to your "limp noodle" position. Are you even a resident of our state?

[goldstategop]

Tony Quinn's a liberal but he's clear-headed. There's little question Davis is toast. Smearing your opponents will only take you so far. We'll see if the Rats manage to uncover skeletons in Tom McClintock's closet.