August 8, 2003 - Governor Governor, Who’s Going to Be Governor?

By now, most of America knows that we here in California have a little thing called a “recall election” scheduled for October 7, 2003.  This election will decide whether or not Gray Davis remains Governor of the Great State of California.  To many, the spectacle of a recall election is nothing more than well-financed attempt by the state republican party to commit a constitutionally sanctioned Coup D’etat. Well, as a registered Democrat, I can believe that this recall election is something much more than that.  If you ask me, this recall is about vast majority of voters in this state being disgusted by the failure of leadership demonstrated on seemingly a daily basis by our elected officials in Sacramento.  I just so happens that Gray Davis sits at the head of this meandering beast also known as California’s Government.  Gray Davis, for better or worse, represents the political system and process that has brought California to the brink of political and economic chaos.    People here are pissed – and Gray Davis is the current target of their anger. 

California, like a few other states, has a constitutional provision which enables an elected official, including its governor, to face a recall election if a certain percentage of registered voters sign a recall petition based upon the number of voters in the previous election.  Well, due to factors such as horrible candidates (which included Gray Davis) and voter apathy, the turnout for the last gubernatorial election was disgustingly small.  Which meant, a recall petition, signed by a measly 900,000 registered voters, could start the recall process rolling.  Well, those pushing the recall collected over 2,000,000 signatures on their recall petition, many of them from registered Democrats, and all of them sick and tired of the mess that is California politics.  We are a state held hostage by extremes in both parties.  On the Republican side, we have a party that abandoned a moderate gubernatorial candidate that could have beaten Gray Davis (Richard Riordan), because, well, he was a moderate, in favor of a more conservative, unelectable option (Bill Simon).  On the Democratic side, you have the extreme left trying to raise taxes with both hands, not understanding that for those who pay the taxes, there comes a point where enough is enough, where you just don’t want to pay anymore.  Meanwhile, this same crowd advocates granting California state driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants (uhm excuse me, if they are illegal, shouldn’t they be deported, not rewarded?).

What you have, in a nutshell, is an electoral perfect storm.  The left and the right in California are off their respective deep ends, and the middle, which makes up most of us, is flailing around without any representation.  We have special interests catering favors, and the common man and woman paying for them.  Gray Davis has become the symbol for all of these problems and the electorate’s anger.  In my opinion, Gray Davis has no one but himself to blame for his current predicament.  There is a line from the movie “An American President” where the President, realizing that he has failed specifically because he was too busy trying to please everyone, states “I have been too busy trying to keep my job to do my job.”  Gray Davis, take note – you were so busy running for Governor, you forgot how to govern.  Enter the Recall. 

So now, the federal court permitting (there are some lawsuits filed to stop the recall, those file with the state court have been dismissed, the federal court is all that is left) we have a recall election.  Two months from now, someone, most likely someone other than Gray Davis will be the Governor of California.  We have quite a slate of candidates, none of which were my first choice for Governor, and one of which I will probably end up voting for.  So, for those who care, here is my short analysis of those currently listed as running and what I might just do (remember, I am registered Democrat . . . ):

Those Who Could be Governor - According to Deborah

Peter Comejo – the Green Party Candidate – maybe, I need to read-up on his views, but he might get my vote

Arianna Huffington– though I like what she stands for, I am concerned that she is using this as a pulpit for national issues, and many of California’s issues are unique to California.  There is a slight chance she would get my vote, but it is not likely. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger – he is a moderate republican along the lines of Richard Riordan, and seems willing to sacrifice a lot to run for office.  From what I can tell so far, he seems fiscally conservative and socially liberal.   If I can actually discern what he stands for and what he might do, he might get my vote.

Peter Ueberroth – another moderate republican, though with Arnold in the race, I do not know if he can get anywhere near the votes needed to win.  But anyone who could pull of the 1984 Olympics in LA as he did definitely has something going for him.  He will probably get my vote.

In a Class by Himself - According to Deborah

Larry Flynt – the “smut peddler with a heart” wants to legalize and tax slot machines as a way to resolve our budget crises.  Hell, I think we should legalize and tax many of the activities folks engage in, such as gambling, prostitution, and some drug use.  Unfortunately, he will not get my vote, but it would be fun to watch him in action.

Those Who Are Part of the Problem - According to Deborah

 Cruz Bustamante – In my mind he is Gray Davis in waiting – someone as beholden to special interests as any other, and not worthy of the job.  He will not get my vote.

Those Who Are Too Conservative - According to Deborah

Tom McClintock – too conservative for my taste, though I am sure my wallet would like him for Governor.  I might agree with him fiscally, but do not trust him when it comes to necessary social programs that the state needs.  He will not get my vote.

 Bill Simon – too conservative.  Also, he found a way to lose to Gray Davis once already – enough said.  He will not get my vote.

Those Who Should be Governor – According to Deborah

Diane Feinstein – the only prominent Democrat I would trust right now with my vote.  Unfortunately, she is not running

Richard Riordan – the man who should have been Governor – he would get my vote, but unfortunately, will not run.

What will the next two months bring voters in California – no one knows for sure.  More likely than not, Gray Davis will be removed from office, and be replaced by someone who will have the lovely chore of trying to reign in a state government that is both out of control and out of touch.   If the people of California are lucky, those holding elected office will realize that the recall of Governor Davis did not happen in a vacuum, and that they are as much the target of our collective anger as Gray Davis, they just happen to be sitting in lower profile jobs.   There is a chance that as a result of this recall election, those elected officials in power will remember why they are sitting in office:  to serve the needs of their communities and constituents in a responsible and thoughtful manner, then this exercise in voter frustration, also known as the Recall, will be well worth the time, effort, expense and disruption it has created.