Rove/Bush win in California

[Faygo Kid]

Now the levers of government will be turned over to the GOP, and Bush's re-election campaign. Arnold is a figurehead; Rove didn't care who ran, as long as the GOP wins control of the mechanisms of California's government - and the power to manipulate the coming election. Welcome to 2004. It won't be pretty.

[Christian73]

1. I'm wondering if the fix wasn't in

all along. I'm not sure what voter booths CA uses but they seem to be predicting an outcome way before most votes could have been counted.

Plus, I don't see how such an overwhelmingly Democratic state could be won over by a Republican with such a wide margin.

[cliss]

2. Americans are tough

They are obviously willing to endure more pain. Well, the polls are showing that Arnie will probably take California, hook line and sinker.

I can only take solace in the fact that Arnold will do to that state what they have done in Washington. He'll do it in record time, too.

Give him another year, and let's see how good of a "leader" he really is. He might want to return to movies.

[wbc]

3. Rove/Bush win in California

This could be true. Winning this election could auger well for Bush in 2004. On the other hand, if this signifies an anti-incumbent tide, Bush is nothing if not an incumbent.

If Arnold turns out to be a good governor, it will be very good for Bush. If Arnold finds it difficult or impossible to govern, if the budget really goes out of control, then I should think that would seal California for the Democrats.

[djg21]

5. You've been listening to McAuliffe again!

IMHO, this is crap. Gropinator didn't win the recall -- the Democratic Party lost it. First there was the initial indecision about whether to run a candidate, or to instead just support Davis, who was dead in the water. Then there was the stupid message "Vote no, but vote yes . . . ." Then,there was lackluster support for Bustamante. Then, Bustamante's campaign financing was undermined and fell short. Then, we were again left with Davis as the only candidate really contesting the recall, and the message again chjanged to "A vote for No is a Vote against Arnold". In short, there was no message, and no viable Democratic candidate.

Any blame falls squarely on the Democratic leadership. If, as McAuliffe says, the recall was about an anti-incumbent tide, then the Party leadership should have asked Davis to resign, and it should have come up with a good candidate. Hindsight is 20:20, but McAuliffe is, and was, full of shit.

McAuliffe has overstayed his welcome, and he shouldnhave stepped down after 2002. Whay do we tolerate that absolute ass?

[Faygo Kid]

6. Not my point

Your point is well expressed and well taken, but my point is it does not matter if Arnold governs well, badly or not at all (the latter is most likely). Political power and patronage now pass to the GOP, and the levers are pulled by Karl Rove. Control of state government (remember Jeb and Katherine Harris in Florida?) means control of the election process for Bush. That, I believe, is the bottom line of this recall election - and its ultimate aim.

[wbc]

8. Not my point

Is it true that the California governor controls power and patronage in the state government? The Democrats control both houses of the Assembly.

For my perspective in Chicago, I always had the impression that Willie Brown controlled things when he was Speaker.

[alcuno]

4. This is BAD news for Bush

I'm watching the local broadcast from California on CSPAN and they are talking about voter anger; that the people would recall every public official if they could.

[cosmicdot]

7. the photo-op is being readied

Mission Accomplished

Bush-schwarzenegger
arm~and~arm

Arnold will be given a script to follow
same as *