If Arianna Huffington Decides to Run for Cal Governorship--She'll Win.

[David Zephyr]

I plan to vote and work against the recall of Governor Davis, but should Arrianna Huffington decide to run as a candidate for Governor of California in the upcoming Recall Election, she will win. Here's why I believe this.

The structure of this very special election in our State, the latest court ruling allowing persons to both vote against the Recall and to now still be able vote in the second part of the election (selecting a replacement), along with the unique state demographics all lead me to conclude that Ms Huffington will emerge as the most likely winner.

Of course, this would not be the case should Dianne Feinstein enter the race at the last moment. But with the current crop of apparent candidates being Darrell Issa, Bill Simon, Tom McClintock, and probably Dick Riordin (Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to be planning to endorse Riordin), Arianna Huffington would only need to poll in the high twenty to low thirty percent of the electorate to become Governor of California. It's just the way the election is structured with the highest vote-getter winnning.

Wouldn't that upset George Bush, Dick Cheney and all the California Republicans to know that they'd gone from the frying pan with Davis right into the fire with Huffington...and on their own doing?

[drdigi420]

1. I'll move to California just to vote for her!

Arriana is one awesome woman, and she is the RW's worst nightmare because she is articulate, extremely intelligent, extremely well-informed, and it doesn't hurt that she is quite nice on the eyes.

[Cappadonna]

70. I like Arrianna, but I have to agree with others so see this is Nader II

Arianna is making the same dumbass assumptions of Ralph Nader.


First, the average Californian probably doesn't know who she is, and probably couldn't care less. Outside of a bunch of political junkies and left wing malcontents, nobody knows who the hell Huffington is. Maybe its me, but I don't see "out of the closet former congressman's ex-wife" as a good starting point. She's smart, but she doesn't have the clout to overcome the Fucking Terminator, the former mayor of LA and a millionaire congressman who makes his money selling car stereos.

Also, Arianna is making the assumption that she will get a chance to make her case to Californians in a public spher, in other words, television. Sure, she could rip Arnold a new one, she's on Oxford trained economic historian debating slightly less dumber than usual jock who got his MBA in night school. Its like going after a fly with a laser sighted rocket-launcher. But, that's only if she is allowed into the debates. The Republicans and Davis will fight tooth and nail to keep her out. Grey doesn't want the competition if the shit goes down and the Repugs just want Huffington there to siphon off liberal votes. No matter how smart you are, nobody is going to vote for you if you can't get out an ad.

And, finally, Arianna is running a big risk of putting another Bushista cronny in the top spot of the nation's most populated state and the world's 6th largest economy. As crappy a Governor Davis is (He has all of Clinton's worse qualities, and none of the good ones) he still alot better than another millionaire hollywood type pandering to the elites.

(This includes Huffington. I like alot of her more recent ideas, but she is still a snotty elitist pandering to other snotty elitists. In this case, she's pandering to the hemp-wearing, Burkensak crowd in Berkeley. )

This is most important of all. If Arriana jumping into the race, she gives this right wing Bullshit legitimacy. By running, Huffington actually makes this bloodless coupe by billionaires almost respectable. The best thing for her to do is to stay out of this one and work to expose this for what it is -- a bunch of Republican blowhards who now are trying to pull a Florida on Davis, because they know that Davis might just get his shit together and beat them in the next election-- again.

Its government by mob rule....the type of crazy bullshit we shake our heads about when we hear about it in foreign countries who have a new military "President" every 5 weeks.


Arrianna, we love ya!!! You're the smartest and toughest little firebrand on the west coast. But please, for all that is sacred, DO NOT RUN!!!

[Fovea]

2. Huffington would

rock the current selection of candidates back on their collective ears.

[Jacobin]

3. I thought she lived in Florida...

Maybe just a summer home...

[Room101]

5. Confirmed she lives in cali, she has said that many times.

I would vote for her.

[David Zephyr]

6. She Lives in Bel-Air, California.

And if she decides to run, and if the current candidate crop doesn't change, she will be the next Governor of California.

She has the money and the name recognition and, let's face it, folks, more gray steel than Gray Davis when it comes to nerve.

[Terwilliger]

10. residence in...

Brentwood

OnEdit: Bel Air? One of those two.

[Composed Thinker]

4. You know

It won't matter. The Republicans will embarrass themselves in this recall effort. And it serves them right, for they have screwed the state in many different ways (some more than others, naturally).

[Terwilliger]

12. well...

you hope

[Composed Thinker]

16. Why will they succeed?

I mean, I am sure the idea of kicking Davis out won't be rejected in a landslide, but I think he'll stay in the governor's mansion.

Why will they succeed? (I'll be back later tonight.)

[Terwilliger]

55. There are all kinds of reasons that Davis could lose

still chief among them is his unpopularity. It's not as if they would want to kick Davis out, or would want the Repukes to take over, but they might not be motivated enough to get out to the polls and, essentially, save Davis from recall.

The Dems (or progressives) should get someone on the ballot.

[Composed Thinker]

61. Right

But can't Davis swing that popularity back up somehow? From what I hear, he's a nasty campaigner. He doesn't stop for anybody.

[Terwilliger]

64. I dont know that he can make it about himself...that legitimizes the recal

recall

He (Dems really) need to make the election about the cynical effort on the part of the Republicans to seize power. Maybe that will be enough to make enough people vote No. Thats if they go to the polls.

[charlie]

7. If that happens

Republicans will kick themselves with regret for a decade. She has the sort of charm and charisma that can make her a long-term player, and they will have been the ones to have given her entree into national electoral politics.

[waggawagga]

14. Um...

Ariana Huffington will never win. She has no base outside of a small number of West LA liberals with large imaginations. What she might do is sink Davis' chances because his survival really depends upon there being no "lefty" on the ballot (the recall asks two questions, if you don't vote yes for the first the second is moot, if Democrats all vote no then Davis stays).

What I can't figure out is why progressives in CA are even interested in her. She was a Republican for years. At a minimum she's not a woman of strong convictions. The only thing I can think of is that she makes a good impression on wealthy and frustrated progressives (who see that she has name recognition).

But really, this is Nader all over again. Fantasy aside, she won't get more than 3%. Watch. She will make a good case, though, that recalling Davis would be legitimate. If Davis loses on the first question the next governor of CA will be Schwarzenegger or Riordan (and my money right now is on the second, if he runs and Scharzenegger doesn't he'll get a majority on the second question, watch).

[charlie]

28. Well, like I said

if it happens, I think Republicans will rue it. I don't know enough to comment about her potential for success.

[David Zephyr]

29. She Has A Base.

She speaks around the state on a continual basis. Just this last month, she addressed a very large group at the All Saint's Church here in Pasadena (hardly West LA) who had come to hear her speak and where she won a lot of hearts and minds.

[mitchtv]

44. agree about Arianna can't win

hoping you're wrong about Riordan . Arnold won't run Arianna still owes calif an apology for her part in huffingtons campaign.

[Classical_Liberal]

45. Political Campaigns are Political Campaigns

You do what you can to win, so long as it is legal. They are hardly ever nice. Grow up.ss If most Californians don't know who she is, why does she have to apoligize the whole state. Makes no sense.

[GregW]

8. Why?

Does she have any experience running for public office before? What can she bring to the table WRT running one of the world's largest economies? Why didn't she dump ol' Mikey when she knew he was gay, not when we did?

[David Zephyr]

13. The Question on the Ballot is Who Will Replace Davis, Not "Why"

That's the questions that all California registered voters will face:

1.) To recall or not to recall the Governor.

2.) If the Governor is recalled, who do you support to replace him?

It's not a matter of why, but who.

I will certainly vote for Arianna over the rest of the announced pack now that those of us who vote against the recall have the court ruling that we can also vote for the replacement.

[waggawagga]

27. ...

"I will certainly vote for Arianna over the rest of the announce pack now that those of us who vote against the recall have the court ruling that we can also vote for the replacement."

If California was split 50/50 and most Californians had a strong sense of party or issue loyalty this strategy could work. In the real world once voters have decided that a recall is legitimate they'll go for whom they think is the best candidate.

For the vast majority that won't be Huffington, or Issa, or Huffington, or any of the small fry who are now running. Put every other issue aside and they just don't have the experience.

If Riordan runs it will be him. Schwarzenegger is the only other possible candidate who has both the name recognition and issues which appeal to the center (he's a weaker candidate than Riordan, I think, still stronger than anyone else).

If Feinstein runs Davis is doomed and it turns into a two person race.

I don't think any of the marginal candidates on the right and left stand a chance. People are expecting that if five or six people run the vote will split equally. It won't.

[David Zephyr]

31. Riordin Will Score High, But Only With Republicans

Riordin will have the benefit of being the only "moderate" Republican up against three right wing nutcases. Still, he will be splitting Republican votes.

If Arianna runs, she'll run as an Independent. She will capture most all of those who voted against the Recall...and Independents.

The only scenario for her not winning is if she chooses not to run...or if Dianne Feinstein jumps in.

[maggrwaggr]

73. Riordan would have a really good shot

The stupidest thing the republicans ever did recently was NOT nominate Riordan for Governor.

who was that weasel they did nominate? That idiot didn't stand a chance.

Riordan's age might work against him but other than that I think he might win

[Composed Thinker]

48. My response

"I don't think any of the marginal candidates on the right and left stand a chance. People are expecting that if five or six people run the vote will split equally. It won't."

Well, assuming that people want him out of office and want him to be replaced, I think a Democrat would win. While you are right that 5 or 6 people won't split the vote equally, there is a strong possibility that these people could damage the main candidate(s). Think about it: if the more minor candidates each get 1-3%, that adds up to a few percentage points. If 4 candidates each get 2%, that's 8%. With elections being so tight, that's enough to swing the election to the Democrats.

Of course, that depends on what the voters decide.

[Classical_Liberal]

51. If Democrats don't run, what main candidate are you talking about?

?

[Composed Thinker]

53. Well

Well, within the next two weeks or so, if Democrats realize it's going to be impossible, can't one put his name on the ballot?

[Classical_Liberal]

56. Yes, but McCaulliff said noone should do it

and if it is just a state legislator defying Terry, than he has no more stature or base than Huffington.

[Composed Thinker]

59. That's true

But if it's a choice between a Democrat and a Republican, then won't the Democrat have the advantage since it is California and since a few Republicans are likely to run?

[Classical_Liberal]

63. There are many people who could jump in this one

but if for instance Fienstien jumps in she would be favored, I think. Arriana pledged to drop out if Feinstien runs.

[SEAburb]

21. Because she's an ambitious materialistic opportunist

She could be a neo-con trojan horse. But who cares, she spoke out against SUVs.

[Classical_Liberal]

33. neocon trojan horse my ass

She was against the Iraq war. That would fit Davis to a tee however.

[Forkboy]

74. send me a PM

when you see beyond your belly button.

[Terwilliger]

24. Damn man

testy!

You should be praising Arianna's run. If the Democrats dont put up a candidate and the recall goes through, then any simpleton with enough votes could go to Sacramento. I'd rather progressives, Dems, Greens, Libertarians, and Republicans have someone to vote for who would represent more foreward thinking in political decisions (shit...wouldn't that be nice in a national election!)

[David Zephyr]

32. Amen.

That exactly how I feel, Terwilliger. Exactly. :hi:

[Toots]

9. I'm sure she would get exactly the same amount of votes as

Davis. It would be interesting to see that play out. They both get identical amount of votes but Davis would be out and Arianna in.

[Rooktoven]

71. absolutely.

Assume 53% vote to recall, and that all those 53% vote republican-- If the republican leader loses 7% of that to a fringe right winger (read: Issa) then a democrat (or one an independent supported by the dems) could win.

I think she has a shot. It would certainly be the best payback the republicans could get. What if (play along here...) she is polling in the high 40s come election week. Do some disgruntled Dems then vote recall+Arianna just to sticj it to the GOP?

The dynamics are weird. A groundswell of support for Arianna could lead to Davis staying in office. (Until the next year's recall anyway)

[Clete]

11. You know Arianna has had close ties with the oil

Industry through her ex-husband. That's why she knows so much about it. I hope Rove isn't planting her in place hoping she'll win :tinfoilhat:. I still have a hard time trusting her.

[Terwilliger]

15. well...I appreciate your thoughts

but she brought up three untouchable issues at her shadow conventions in 2000, and it brought out a wealth of progressive support and interest. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

[Athletic Grrl]

17. Agreed.

Now that I can vote no and still have a say, Arianna (if she runs) will more than likely be my choice. If Dianne decides to throw her hat into the ring, I'll support her, but I don't see that happening.

[Clete]

26. Dianne I think is going to run as well.

On the local news Congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez, sang her praises and insisted that it was essential for Dianne to run to beat the Repukes. Well, I don't like Dianne either, but she will get my vote if push comes to shove, but Arianna won't.

[Classical_Liberal]

34. Arrianna said she wouldn't run if Diane did.

If no dem of national stature runs to replace Davis the Dems have noone to blame but themselves for the result.

[David Zephyr]

36. I Didn't Know That, Classic_Liberal.

I agree with you on this issue. That's a pretty gracious statement by Arianna considering the hard feeling between the Huffingtons and Feinsteins.

The problem with Dianne running is that it would then open up a Senatorial Seat and another potential Republican there.

[Classical_Liberal]

40. They did an article about it in Salon

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2003/07/29/huffington/index.html

[David Zephyr]

43. Thanks for the Link. Also, Terwilliger Was Correct About Brentwood

And I wanted to clear that up.

[Composed Thinker]

57. No

No, if Diane runs, then she'll be able to pick her replacement.

[Clete]

19. I hope you are right.

[joeybee12]

20. You people are nuts!!!!!!!!!

How in the heck do you think Arianna Huffington would make even a passably adequate governor? And why the hell would you vote for her? I'm still waiting for her to apologize for the filthy campaign she ran for her husband in 1994 against Feinstein. And I don't expect to ever hear an apology. Why? Because she's now a "progressive" simply because she can make a name for herself. All she will do by running is assure us that Issa or some other republican thug wins. Once a Republican, always a republican. And don't tell me about how her ideas have matured and changed. Has she ever denied that her idea for turning welfare COMPLETELY over to private industry was a whacko idea? The nut wrote a book about it! Wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Clete]

25. Thanks for bringing this up.

At least now I know I am not crazy for not liking her as a candidate.

[kainah]

18. She'll only run if her husband doesn't

She said that very, very clearly last night on Paula Zahn's CNN show. She said that if her husband, Michael, got into the race, she would "have to be the responsible parent" and that she wouldn't put her children through that and she wouldn't run. She also said she is a registered independent and she will run as an independent.

As to whether she has any experience, her husband was in Congress for one term & then quit to run for the Senate against Boxer or Feinstein, can't remember which. It was widely rumored/reported at the time that she was the power behind his run & that she had been a major player in his work on Capitol Hill. It wasn't long after his Senate loss that he announced he was gay and they divorced.

I hope she runs!

[robbedvoter]

22. You may want to read what Brock wrote on her before

celebrating. Remember Ben Nighthorse? She'll be just the type to pull a fast one on naive voters. (After all, she learned at Newt's feet)

[KC21304]

58. If Brock can change, why can't Arianna ?

[mndemocrat_29]

23. Arianna

I hope she does run. When the choice for replacing Davis could be Michael Huffington, Jack Kemp, Bill Simon, or Darrell Issa, we need a candidate, no matter how much we're opposed to the recall.

As for A. Huffington, I think that she will be a fine governor. Though I don't support the recall, A. Huffington would make a better governor than Davis. Like Rendell, Granholm, and Richardson, she'd be able to create a strong tidal wave at the polls in 2004 and would guarantee a landslide Barbara Boxer victory and a Democratic presidential win.

[joeybee12]

30. We DO NOT need a candidate!

If ANY Democrat runs, it gives this farce legitimacy! I've said it before. By putting up a Democrat JUST IN CASE means the election is already over! Once the Democrats do that, they are playing by the Republican rules, and are on the defensive! We need to put the Republicans on the defensive by telling them over and over this is nothing but a mugging of the democratic process. That's all these republican thugs know how to do these days. Fight back for God's sake! Who cares whether you like Davis or not--it's about democracy people, and NOT about opportunist turncoats like Arianna Huffington! STOP thinking about who might be an alternate candidate because if you do, you might as well just throw in the towel now!

[Classical_Liberal]

35. Our Democracy is quit frankly fucked if we have only a choice

between Conservative Davis and a republican. It isn't a defensible system anyway. California is a "Liberal" Democrat state, and the conservative Democrats are holding a gun to the publics head to get acceptance. It won't work. Our democracy isn't very democratic and limits the public to two unpalatable choices.

[opihimoimoi]

37. I would pay $10 to see a debate with Arianna and the Terminator

Only in America, only in California, could this happen.

Come, we go early, get a good seat, bring the popcorn and soft drink.

[Clete]

39. It would be over in thirty seconds.

Just like the old fights with Muhammed Ali. Arianna would walk all over the terminator with her linguistic skills. I do admire her linguistic skills.

[mitchtv]

50. a liberal Dem state?

who are you kidding? come out and visit Palm Springs somtime. Or SD or the great valley Or Sacto valley where do you live?

[Classical_Liberal]

54. Palm Springs is hardly representative

. There are republican enclaves in New York state as well.

[mitchtv]

78. NY has a puke gov and senate

.coachella valley is nearing 400k people

[Composed Thinker]

66. Is San Diego a conservative area?

Is San Diego a conservative area?

[Classical_Liberal]

68. It used to be, but it is less conservative than it was

California became liberal when the defense industry in places like Orange County and San Diego died.

[Composed Thinker]

69. For some reason

For some reason, I thought San Diego was liberal like San Fransisco.

[lazarus]

76. There are a few liberals here

But the only thing keeping San Diego from being the most conservative county in California is Orange County, directly north of us.

[mitchtv]

77. most of the signatures came from SD and Orange county

many more from Riverside andsan bernadino I'm sure lots from both great valleys

[mitchtv]

52. Rock on Joeybee12

.

[mitchtv]

38. as soon as she apologizes..............

for her part in the Huffington for senator campaign. THE most vile campaign in the history of Calif. If she Runs I hope Dianne runs just to take this one away from her too.

[mitchtv]

41. I hate to tell you this

but most Californians have no Idea who she is. And she doesn't have Michaels'money to change that

[Classical_Liberal]

49. They don't know who she is yet. She has lots of contributer potential

and if they don't know who she is, your idea that she needs to apologize would seem pretty silly.

[Classical_Liberal]

42. I would frankly prefer her over Feinstien, but she said

she doesn't want to be a spoiler and would quite if Fienstien ran, which I also admire, since I think progressives have an obligation to acknowledge the winner take all electoral college process, and Fienstien would clearly attract more votes, because she has more of a political record. I think Arrianna has changed alot since then. She is clearly a progressive now

[David Zephyr]

46. Yeah, I Forgave Her A Long Time Ago

A good friend of mine became angry with me because I would not let her past go.

She's addressing issues that most Democrats won't touch...especially America's dirtiest little secret: class.

[aquart]

47. The woman's been making sense for years now.

It would be positively exciting to see her tackle the insanity of California government.

I think the whole country would buy tickets.

[whoYaCallinAlib]

60. She was Clinton's harshest penis critic.

She was on Fox EVERY fucking night bashing Clinton's Monica problem. Unforgivable.

[Classical_Liberal]

65. She has turned around on that.

. She was hardly the harshest of Clinton critics.s Traitors like Dick Morris who did the same thing are forgiven, so I would say Arriana is forgivable.

[Yentatelaventa]

62. Why I like Arianna

She claims to only fly on private jets when they are going her way anyway. I like that. She is very environmentally aware amd I'm sure she will make a fine governor and her entertainment record will help fill the role.

[caledesi]

67. Arianna will win. Take it to the bank.

[mitchtv]

79. bwhahahahahahahha

.

[maggrwaggr]

72. She needs to work on that accent

Seriously, I love what she writes but when she talks I can barely understand what the hell she's talking about.

[Forkboy]

75. Her accent

turns me on :evilgrin:

I hope she never works on it :)