Faced with probable recall, Democrats look to unite behind one candidate

[Nambe]

COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

Confronted with the likelihood that Gov. Gray Davis will face a recall election, California's congressional Democrats are talking of uniting behind one candidate on the recall ballot – perhaps a Democrat who could clear the field by promising to serve the remainder of Davis' term and not run for election in three years. ---

But one Democratic strategist acknowledged that party leaders are talking about a "caretaker" candidate – someone such as Leon Panetta, the former California congressman and White House chief of staff who is a favorite because of his budget experience and cross-party appeal.

"You hear a lot of whispering, talking in the hierarchy of the Democratic Party establishment (about) is there a caretaker approach to this?" said the strategist Bill Carrick. "And Leon is the person that is talked about. And given his resume with a lot of experience doing budgets, there's this logic that he would be a good person to be in there as a three-year caretaker." ---

Lawmakers at last week's meeting said Pelosi expressed the same concern. "She stood up, and she said he (Davis) is history," said one congressman, who added that several people in the room were startled by Pelosi's candor.

One California Democratic strategist agreed that Pelosi "was pretty adamant about it – that Gray was toast."

But Rep. Mike Thompson, a Napa Democrat at the meeting, said Pelosi indicated that the best way to keep a Democrat in office is to keep Davis there – by beating the recall. ---

Privatize bush It’s a Good Thing

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ConLaw]

2. buh bye

lol

[ronnykmarshall]

3. I have mixed feelings about this

I would feel better if there was a Democrat on the ballot. But the whole recall process is going to be a mess. We have enough problems right now.

[Punkingal]

4. Personally.....

I think the dems need to unite behind DAVIS and not let this happen to him. It is outrageous.

[twilight]

7. I agree - check this out ...

If you are concerned go to this site:

http://www.stoptherecall.com

and read all about the crimes being committed!!!

:dem:

[Rose Siding]

5. This is terrifying

To think that anyone with enough money can overthrow a duly elected dem... shades of DeLayness circa 97.

[qandnotq]

6. smart, it's a plurality election

It looks like many 'pukes are going to run: Issa, Simon, Arnold, maybe Riordan. They'll split the 'puke vote. Even if Davis is recalled, a Dem could still easily win the vote because there is no runoff election on a recall. Suppose 51% vote to recall Davis and 49% opposed. If those 49% all vote for a Dem replacement, the Dem will almost surely win because the 'pukes will spread their vote over 3-4 candidates.

on edit: the recall consists of two separate questions. 1st, should Davis be recalled. 2nd, if recalled who should replace him.

So, what we need is a Dem candidate who publicly opposes the recall and supports Davis to get on the ballot as a potential replacement. (Davis is not allowed to do this himself).

The truly funny thing is that, if no Dem runs, we could possibly end up with a Green governor. I presume most Dem's would go with the Green before voting 'puke. And with a split 'puke vote, they could get their worst nightmare: a Green.

[snippy]

8. Davis looks done, but he should spend some of his money two ways.

First, he needs to counter that Issa asshole's bullshit with the stack of dollar bills showing the state deficit per person with an identical schtick using highly respected Californians with a stack of bills showing the federal deficit per person and asking whether all office holders should be removed for poor fiscal policy. This would compare Davis' fiscal performance with Bush's and raise the question of whether Bush should be removed. Davis has done about 30% better on this bullshit measurement than Bush. It might help Davis but even if it does not it would hurt Bush both locally and nationally.

Second, Davis should fund several hundred republican candidates and get them all on the ballot. This would illustrate the stupidity of this recall movement and it might get some people to vote to retain Davis rather than bother with a huge ballot for his replacement.

[qandnotq]

9. yep, for $140,000

Davis could fund 40 candidates' filing fees at $3500 apiece. In addition, it takes only 65 nominating signatures. I bet a lot of voters would just vote to keep Davis if they say a list of 45 Republican replacement candidates in random order to wade through. Hell, if I had a few more bucks, I'd join the Republican party and file for governor myself.

Any California DU'ers here flush enough to blow $3500 to get your name on the ballot as a Republican?

[tlb]

10. Issa is a red herring in this argument.

If Californians weren't open to a Davis recall then this effort to remove the governor would share the same fate as the 30 similar but unsuccessful recall campaigns California has had in the last century. Pelosi is correct, Davis is toast, and from the east coast, what I observe of Davis leads me to think this is no loss.

The question now is simply who replaces him as governor and how much damage is done to the system in the process. A scorched earth defense by Davis seems to be in the cards. That bodes very poorly for any future efforts by either party to tackle and deal with the situation California is in.

The Panetta strategy outlined in the article is the most rational strategy I have seen advanced to deal with the situation. I am skeptical the California party will go this route though until it may be too late. The longer they wait to cut Davis loose the higher the odds of Arnie or Riordon winning the recall. Pelosi has her work cut out for her.

[snippy]

11. Agreed. But tv has given him lots of coverage with his dollar bill stunt.

Republicans love to demand Davis' removal for his attrocious fiscal performance while at the same time they love to "freedom kiss" Bush's anus for an even worse fiscal performance. I find this to be illustrative of republican honesty and integrity and would like to see Davis highlight it.