[Sabertooth]

I'm not even sure that the recall was supposed to succeed - had it not been for the fortuitous bit of luck that Issa fronted money, that effort would have died on the vine.

Not to discount his contribution, but Issa didn't "front money." He got on board after the petition drive was already underway. At least 700,000 of the 1.6 million recall signatures were gathered without Issa, when the Secretary of State stopped counting.

Is it your contention that the Recall was designed to fail, and that Issa saved it?

[habs4ever]

Does the CRA control the California Republican Party, or did it up until this recall?

[Poohbah]

IIRC, the clock was running out for a fall election, and there wasn't enough money in the recall initiative's coffers for a legal challenge to Shelley's antics until Issa showed up.

Is it your contention that the Recall was designed to fail, and that Issa saved it?

I think that a bunch of people of all political persuasions did not want the recall to succeed because it meant that their rice bowl might get broken. The prospect of a governor being elected without passing through party-controlled primaries was extremely unnerving to folks in senior positions of both parties.

[Amerigomag]

To those who posed reasoned questions to his excellency, I regret to inform you that the Chancellor was suddenly called away on matters of some urgency.

He extends his regrets that he could not discuss the matter with you.