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July 18, 2003 Chairman of the California Democratic Committee Terry McAuliffe announced Thursday that no Democrat would run on the ballot to replace current Dem Governor Gray Davis if the recent recall bid is successful. “I want the folks here in California to know that we are not going to have another Democrat on the ballot.” He told assembled journalists at a Los Angeles news conference. He also noted that voters who wanted to recall Gray Davis would not have an option other than “…a bunch of right-wing conservatives on the ballot.” The Ultra-Liberal Hollywood types who heard that must have rolled over in their Rolls- Royces. Not simply conservatives, but “right- wing” conservatives! Not that anyone has ever spotted a “left-wing” conservative in all these years, but maybe someday we’ll find one. In the meantime… Is it possible that McAuliffe and his ilk have so much power over their fellow Democrats that NOT ONE would dare appear on the ballot as an option to Gray Davis? Is this the only way that good ole’ Gray and his $38 BILLION deficit are given an official thumbs-down? I began to ponder that one. Let’s see, we could ship all the Democrats to Oklahoma like they did in Texas to avoid a quorum and keep from voting on a measure they knew they would lose. Hmmm. I suppose if any of them have been to Bakersfield they know what Oklahoma would be like. That might be a good idea! In fact, sending all Democrats from everywhere to Oklahoma would be a great idea. It would cause J.C. Watts to rethink serving in Congress again and the other 49 states would be much more pleasant. What would Arnold have to say? Can McAuliffe look Arnold Schwarznegger in the eye (or chest, if he can’t stretch that high) and tell him to go away? Arnold could raise more money in one month than Dick Gephart can raise in four years! What if Arnold wants to run? In fact, what if any number of logical candidates would like to run for Governor and they just happen to be Democratic? Arnold could run as a Republican if he wants to, for that matter. Heck, he could run on the “You’re Fired” ticket and win. If you are an actor and want to hold public office, California is your state! The fact is, the California DNC can call on Bill Clinton (and they are) to try to back up Gray Davis, but Davis’ spending record and amazing deficit are not going to simply go away. The DNC can take their ball and go home. But someone else will have a ball and the game will begin again. Democrats will be foolish to make any real effort to save Gray’s tail. His approval rating is 23% and the recall petition easily garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures more than were necessary. But such ridiculous posturing as displayed by McAuliffe on Thursday only whets Republican appetites. If only conservatives appear on the ballot as an alternative to Gray Davis, do Democrats really believe the disgruntled Left Coast voters will run screaming from a Republican alternative? A very good possibility to run in the election would be Former Mayor of Los Angeles Richard Riordan. His campaign characterizes him as “Tough Enough to Turn California Around.” His two terms in office in LA have left him with a record that looks very, very good compared to Davis. Uniquely Prepared. Economic Vision. Managerial Know How. Children First. These are the phases that accompany his campaign. It must be frightening to the DNC to consider Riordan and his message and credentials and then look sideways at the discombobulated Davis. A recall effort could be certified as early as Wednesday. Riordan has his campaign theme and team ready to go. Republican Representative Darrell Issa is already declared as a candidate and the anti-Issa websites and blogs are beating him like a drum for providing the impetus to the recall effort. He was the guy who funded “Rescue California”, the organization that pushed the recall. He has the money to run a strong campaign. Issa makes Dems see red but he has the reputation as being in the pocket of California’s high-tech industry and being the force behind the recall does call his motives into question. Issa has money, Riordan has credentials and Arnold has fame and will pick up some women voters strictly on the “hunk” factor. Any of the three of them have a shot at unseating Davis. Will California Democrats take their ball and go home? Not even a bunch of Democrats could be that dumb, could they? I’m betting this is just a plot twist, and the DNC will find a rather neutral caretaker candidate with strong name recognition to appear on the ballot and avoid the horrifying prospect of “right-wing conservatives” with their hands on the purse-strings. The longer they stick with Davis, the more likely the deficit issue will rub off on the party as a whole and they won’t have an ice cube’s chance in LA of keeping the Governor’s mansion tilting Left. Of course, they could all just move to Oklahoma where the budgets are smaller and the earthquakes few. They could be pretty sure that Arnold wouldn’t follow them there! ------------ About the author Kimbal Ross Binder: Erstwhile gym-rat, former independent driven by disgust for the Democratic Party into the arms of the Republicans, current parent and expert at puns, jokes that make people groan and eating Debbie's cooking. Mr Binder lives out in the boondocks of NW Indiana. Email Kimbal Ross Binder: radar@eternalisp.com Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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