CA Congressman Adam Schiff: Recall is anti-incumbent, trouble for Bush

Fox News ^ | Oct. 7, 2003

[tdadams]

I was watching Fox News this morning and saw California Congressman Adam Schiff give the Democratic spin on the California recall election. He stated that the recall wasn't actually anti-Davis, but anti-incumbent.

He then went on to extrapolate that this spells real trouble for George W. Bush's upcoming reelection campaign.

[truthandlife]

This is just the Democrat talking points. They blamed talk radio and FOX News for losing 2000 and 2002 and I hope they keep believing their own lies. The American people cannot stand leftist liberal cry babies and if the Democrats keep saying that this was a vote against the economy they will have a rude awakening in '04.

[jwalsh07]

California cast over 60% of their votes last night for Republicans in a state where there are only about 35% registered republicans. The only thing the democrat party has left to sell is fear, lies and, if they can get their hands on them, videotapes.

[50sDad]

You know, they "just don't get it." Thank GOD! This is like the corpse that won't admit that it is dead even as you nail the lid shut! Delicious!

[joesnuffy]

California's race was unique to the nation
If anything Arnolds immense popularity
will mean new votes
for the Republican Party
as long as it downplays
its religous conservative roots

The Cali election further punctuates
'The People' being sick of lying liberals
and their libel

This Will translate to the national elections
lying blowvillators like Clinton Franken Moore Couric Rather et al
take note
imo

[machman]

Nice to know his fax machine is working. Keep trying to find an excuse DNC.

[randita]

McAuliffe tried this line as well. Greta asked him why Davis didn't make the case that CA's woes were not his fault, but the fault of Bush's economic policies. McAuliffe replied that the campaign was too short and Davis didn't have time to get the word out.

So again, we have the Dems pat reasoning: When they lose, it's because the message didn't get out (bunk). When they win, it's because the voters agree with their message.

[GWB00]

NOW are the Democrats going to fire Terry McAuliffe?

Don't fire Terry!!!He has been the best thing for the Republican Party since Lincoln

[VRWC_minion]

You conservatives have no heart. The average rat DU type is ready to commit suicide at this point. They need some message of hope even if its total BS.

[jaime1959]

Ya just gotta laugh at these people sometime.

[VRWC_minion]

Oh, yes. Clinton campaigned for Davis, Bush stayed out. The response was to throw out the guy Clinton recommended. And this repudiates Bush ?

[GWB00]

This stupid reasoning started with Bob Mulholland last night. He said it first to Brit Hume on Fox News.

I saw that on FOX News! I loved it when Brit Hume asked him who was Bush Jr.?

This Mulholland has total disrespect, I can't recall any Republican Party official calling Bill Clinton, BJ Clinton, Willy or any other commonly referred names to Bill Clinton

[jalisco555]

Add Arnold's and McClintock's votes together and you get over 60% GOP vote in California. The Dems are in deep trouble.

[tdadams]

Very good point that I've not heard mentioned until now.

[jalisco555]

This pathetic spin you've reported shows that the Dems are clueless over why they are in trouble. In fact, they may not even realize how much trouble they are in. Next year will be a disaster for them. The Clinton poison continues to do it's damage.

[1Old Pro]

CONCLUSIONS CAN BE DRAWN FROM THE CALIFORNIA RECALL ELECTION:

1) The Democrat Party has been steadily imploding. The withering on the vine of the Democrat Party can be traced to the Congressional elections of 1994 - no wonder that hated Newt Gingrich.

2) Republicans got about 3 out of every 5 votes in a very liberal California and the tax and spend Democrat Davis was booted from office by a massive turnout of voters.

3) Take a look at the Democrat Presidential candidates, could there be a weaker field? I don't think so.

4) HOPEFULLY the GOP Senate will see this obvious trend and get tough on the foolish Democrats and their silly obstructionist tactics. Republicans should now be bolstered and they should govern like conservative Republicans.

5) President Bush is doing a fine job, he'll handily win re-election, he can be comfortable in pushing his conservative programs and he should definately fight hard to put conservative judges on the Supreme Court to fill any upcoming vacancies.

[truthkeeper]

Oh, this is definitely the talking point. Every lib I saw interviewed yesterday was spewing it.

They're all very worried for George W. Bush, dontcha know.

[merry10]

I live in California, and I agree with Schiff....although Calif was lucky enough to be able to put someone else in the governor's seat. Bush only has a 50 percent approval rating. If WMDs are not found, the economy stalls, etc, etc...sorry but I think Adam Schiff is right.

[jraven]

I think there is SOME truth in this anti-incumbancy theory, but not the way those who support and vehementarly dismiss it think. For instance, I voted against Davis and for Arnold. I was NOT interested in having the same old face in Sacramento and felt that somehow in this country we've gotten into a rut where most people feel someone MUST be a lawyer or a professional politician to be qualified. The founding fathers wanted people from ALL walks of life. And we've seen with Reagan and other show biz types that they can do public service as good as anyone who chases ambulances or goes after or defends corporations.
I know a lot of people here who felt the state was down the tubes if the recall failed or if Bustamecha got in.
But, similarly, a LOT of people felt they were NOT voting for Arnold because of an R in front of his name but because he represented someone different with a different perspect who is not infected by the whole political culture, which now resembles a very smelly cheese.
So YES Bush MAY face some of the same anger. This was NOT a vote to vote in a Republican but to dump Davis and replace him with the person who seemed like he wanted to CHANGE THINGS and sweep out a corrupt and incompetent administration. Arnold won by getting lots of independents and Democrats to cross over...not by just Republican votes from Republican moderates or moderates and some conservatives.
If you read all the mainstream and non-mainstream stories that will come out, and just look at the election stats breakdown, you'll see this.
I don't see Bush at this point yet...but remember that as close as the election was in 2000 he did get some crossover votes from people who were tired of the whole Clinton scandal years.
If Bush loses the non-Republicans -- particularly if the economy doesn't improve in a way that the average person sees and feels it -- I definitely think he can face the same voter anger (as his Dad did).
BUT all that requires a lightning rod (a Clinton; Ross Perot; Arnold). I don't see one yet on the Democratic side, but that may change now that this recall is over and media attention is re-focused on the D prez race.
I was at a dinner party last night with people of all income levels and races. It was announced Arnold won and everyone APPLAUDED. There were one or two who had wanted Davis but even THEY seemed relieved.
This wasn't a party vote, this was a vote to sweep some political garbage out.
That's why the Democrats will be playing with fire if they try to do another recall 100 days from now -- and why the anger in CA represents a virtual revolution that can consume other politos in other states as well as in Washington. People were ANGRY here.

[ladtx]

The founding fathers wanted people from ALL walks of life.

I agree. In fact I think anyone could probably win any office right now with the simple campaign slogan: "Vote for me. I'm not a lawyer."

[BibChr]

Brilliant.

Something like 63% of the vote in CA breaks Republican -- and that's bad for Bush.

Only a Democrat.

Dan