Gubernatorial candidates spar in biggest debate of recall election

Sac Bee ^ | 9/24/03 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

.

[Graewoulf]

What happens if McClintock wins the plurality of votes, but the voters reject the recall of Davis?

[Joe Bfstplk]

McClintock shines.

[NormsRevenge]

We need 50% plus 1 Yes vote to remove Davis on the first part of the two part ballot, If we don't get that first part, it won't matter who got the most votes out of all the replacement candidates..

[tubebender]

Was Stratham a R?

New poll on the Side Bar...

[Grim]

Arnold did ok but I thought McClintock really was the most thoughtful and competant and I think that came across strongly. Bustamante came across as amiable but weak, Huffington was a nattering nitwit, Camejo made clear that he's a socialist.

Overall I think McClintock made the best impression and I think he'd make a great governor.

[pogo101]

What happens if McClintock wins the plurality of votes, but the voters reject the recall of Davis?

Davis remains in office for the remainder of his term, in that event, and the vote for a successor is moot.

[pogo101]

This was almost exactly what I expected.

Tom was tops on policy, detail, brevity, lucidity. As usual. As usual, he also was just about a "5" or a "6" out of 10 on the charisma scale.

Arnold ran a prevent defense and benefitted pretty well from Cruz's insipid sucking, Camejo's reflexive leftism and Arianna's shrillness.

Arnold did okay.

This was not the big-stumble-for-Arnold that Tom needed.

[NormsRevenge]

not sure about Stan the moderator. He had a republican haircut ;-) I reckun he could be an R.

[Princeliberty]

If Davis wins they will not count the replacment candidates
ballot.

[My2Cents]

I'd rate the winners this way (NOTE: this rating isn't based on my ideology, or beliefs, but based on who I think had the most passion, the best command of the issues, and the best ability to articulate their position)--

1) McClintock. No doubt. Clearly the most articulate, and best command of the issues. But this is no surprise. This was expected.

2) Peter Camejo. Sincere passion, articulate, good regurgitation of facts. If I were a Democrat, I'd vote for him.

3) Arnold. He didn't embarrass himself. He got some good points across. For someone who has been actively involved in politics for only six weeks, did was credible. He also wasn't intimidated by the others' experience in these kind of settings. He projected confidence and good humor. Clearly, the most personable and likeable candidate.

4) Bustamante. He came across as defensive (Q: What caused the budget crisis? A: "Clearly, we spent too much money."). He was wasn't very decisive, although it did take some courage to say he would raise taxes.

5) Arianna. He not only makes my ears bleed whenever she talks, but she is condescending and rude. She spent so much time attacking Pres. Bush, she should be running in the Democrat primaries, as Arnold pointed out.

Best sign of the evening...Clearly carried by a Freeper: "Don't Cruz with the Booze." Hilarious.

[My2Cents]

Statham used to be a Republican Assemblyman, and (as you could probably tell) a former TV newscaster.

[Aria]

I saw movies of JFK and Jackie at their wedding on Larry King last night - the charm, the twinkle in the eye just oozed from him. Despite a fairly unsuccesful Presidency he still polls as one of the best all time Presidents. Men wanted to be him, women wanted to have him. Johnson, Carter, Nixon all seemed boring, strident, whatever. Then Reagan came, more charm and twinkle, despite his age and still adored by Republicans. GHB, earnest, accomplished, but predictible. It is imposssible to overstate how much I despise Clinton but to a large part of the population he seemed very charming and many still revere him. The idea I have is that personal charm trumps ability. And Arnold was more charming than Tom and therefore likely to be next governor.

[tubebender]

Did he represent a district in the upper Sac valley ?

[My2Cents]

I think this is the key, as you said: Arnold didn't lose. He didn't shine as brightly as Tom, but he didn't hurt himself. He's the frontrunner, and he didn't do or say anything that hurt his frontrunner status. Probably every Arnold supporter would acknowledge that Tom won the debate, but what this means is simply that Tom would make a great spokesman in a Schwartzenegger Administration.

[Fred]

Arnold is a total squish - lets make that clear - his bs prop 49 - health insurance for illegals - he is not a republican

[Graewoulf]

Thanks. It is curious that a majority vote must remove CEO Gray-Davis from office, but it only takes a plurality to replace him. If the majority vote is "Democracy," then what does one call the plurality vote? Maybe a Minorocracy?

[My2Cents]

I think you're right. As much as "we" here might value content, I think you're comments are dead-on correct, and does play a big part in any election campaign, and gives a boost to Arnold. Thank goodness that Arnold is conservative on economic and fiscal issues, because it looks like he's going to win this.

[My2Cents]

Precisely. Chico, or maybe Redding...anyway, they're both in the same Assembly district.