Many Voters Decide Recall Unfair to Davis

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/recall/la-me-no14s...

Gray Davis is far from popular. But with the recall campaign at its midway point, a substantial portion of Californians — perhaps enough to save the governor's career — appears to have come around to the argument that the effort to oust him violates basic standards of fair play.

"I don't think someone should be voted out of office because the voters don't like them any more," said Barbara Pavey, a Republican from Hollywood. "It's petulant."

That, in a nutshell, is what has become the main rationale against the recall: Even if you don't like Davis, he has done nothing so terrible that it justifies such a drastic act. A recent Times poll showed the view had been embraced by roughly half of California voters, mostly Democrats, but many independents and a few Republicans too. Davis needs just over 50% of the vote on Oct. 7 to stay in office.

"I think the tide is moving in our direction," Davis said in a recent television interview. "I think people realize that a recall is an extreme reaction, should not be taken except in cases of criminality or in impeachable offenses or gross abuse of office, none of which exist here."

[Cha]

1. Whatever shortcomings Davis has ...I wish he would use this

to address them and become a Better Govenor of Calif. I don't want him recalled because the rwingers are buying it and it's subverting Democracy..but Davis should work hard at learning Something from this.

And arnie can go back to making bad movies.

[aquart]

7. What is he supposed to learn?

That fascists will try anything? That they will use democracy to destroy democracy?

That protected monopolies will screw you to the wall? Because energy IS a protected monopoly right now. And it became one by the expedient of claiming to end local monopolies on power.

[pasadenaboy]

12. Actually, Davis has a lot to learn.

He does a very poor job of reaching out to the electorate in between elections. He only sells then negative of the repubs, never the positives of himself or the democratic party. He could be a much stronger candidate if he talked more about his own vision, and what he wants to do.

[leesa]

13. Perhaps he's busy working rather than campaigning

THIS is his big sin?????

[pasadenaboy]

14. Look, I'm obviously opposed to the recall, but

Davis has a lot of flaws, and like anyone, he should learn from his mistakes.

If Davis had been more forthright about what he was doing, and his vision for the state, and reaching out to the electorate, he wouldn't be in this position in the first place. Now that he's doing that, the recall numbers are now changing in his favor.

Being governor isn't four years of imperial rule, you always have to be reaching out and explaining yourself to the people you serve. I think Davis lost sight of this. The good news, is I think he will survive, and be a better governor because of this humbling experience. I also think it will hurt the repubs in the state as they look irresponsible.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. I mostly agree with this interpretation

As one who deals with several bills before him, he really has burned his own many times and recently found out, he cannot necessarily count on us to be there for him if he ignores us.

Be that as it may, he is HEAD AND SHOULDERS above any trying to take him out on workers rights and on consumer matters.

Frankly, I think California Dems should ASK THE PUBLIC whether they would rather pay a penny or so sales tax temporarily to OFFSET the budget in exchange for lowering the vehicle tax.

I would bet the public would agree to spread the pain. It would minimally affect the poor since the poor make smaller purchases. It would primarily fall on the rich making larger purchases and it would NOT be so prohibitive as to send people out of state to purchase larger items who don't already do so.

[Booberdawg]

2. Excellent article

In particular in points out the bald partisan tactics Republicans have been so good at planning and using against Democrats for so long

"This effort, Davis said, "started with the impeachment of President Clinton when Republicans could not beat him in 1996. It continued in Florida, where they stopped the vote count , depriving thousands of Americans of the right to vote." It has continued, he said, in redistricting fights in Colorado and Texas, and in "this recall to seize control of California just before the next presidential election." "

We have to stop allowing them to play this game.

[dArKeR]

3. Unfair? It's a Bush Crime Family Coup! Davis should be calling for an IP!

RICO

[madrchsod]

4. if they would have

had a recall when ronnie was governor there would have been a good chance he would have been gone. there were alot of people who didn`t like him at all. the only reason they didn`t is because cali had more money than they knew what to do with. maybe people are waking up that this could be something that happens every election,whether repub. or demo.

[trapper914]

10. They tried...

...couldn't get enough signatures on the petitions to force the vote.

[CShine]

5. Unfair?

Politics is always unfair. Welcome to the read world.

[onehandle]

6. There's unfair...

And there's the new Republican game of overturning legal elections.

Florida, California, and redistricting.

It's never been on this scale. The recall rules in California were clearly not written to work this way. This is a Bush/Rove operation and a reflection of how desperate Republicans are to grab power before they are a permanent minority in the next decade throughout America.

[Cloud]

8. Of course

A republican president has not won the popular vote since 1988. Their views are out of touch with most americans.

I see many Californians are realizing that this recall is bad for democracy. When the recall is voted down on Oct. 7th poor Issa wasted all that money gathering signatures for nothing.

But then again the state California wasted many millions on this election that could have gone to something better.

[Rebellious Republican]

9. There is unfair and then there is outright Fascism!

fas·cism (fshzm)
n.
often Fascism
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Oppressive, dictatorial control.

[Le Taz Hot]

11. I posted a thread in GD

about the California State Caucus held yesterday. It's sinking like a stone (as usual). I'm hoping SOMEONE might be interested enough to give it a kick.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[glitch]

15. my limbaugh-listening brother and his fox-watching wife are

both against the recall. Two bushbots turning? The rest of the family is hoping so. FWIW.

[twilight]

16. even my 73 year old aunt ...

My aunt wrote me the other day and said she'd be voting for "Gov. "Duffus"" again and she's a Republican. She thinks the whole thing is a waste of money and a BIG joke.

I am sure she is not alone. There are many disgusted with this whole thing and we are not alone.

Vote NO on the recall!

[The Sushi Bandit]

18. Vote NO on the recall

its the only right thing to do!