In an Appearance with Davis, Dean Denounces Recall Effort

[kskiska]

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 — Howard Dean today became the first Democratic presidential candidate to appear alongside Gov. Gray Davis as he fights off a recall initiative, urging Californians to turn back a campaign that Dr. Dean said was orchestrated by President Bush and the White House.

"This is not about Gray Davis," Dr. Dean said, as a tieless Mr. Davis smiled at his side. "This is about whether America is going to continue being a democracy or whether we are going to be dominated by the far right, to serve their own purpose and not the purposes of America."

Asked if he thought the White House was orchestrating the recall, Dr. Dean said: "Absolutely. I think Karl Rove and George Bush have their hands in this."

(snip)

Mr. Davis said that former President Bill Clinton would campaign with him next week, and his aides said they were trying to arrange appearances by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Al Gore, the former vice president.

Mr. Davis said he hoped that the remaining eight Democratic presidential candidates would follow Dr. Dean's example. "I would like to have them stand with me," he said.

more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/07/national/07DEAN.html

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

1. This phrase is getting more and more common

"Howard Dean today became the first Democratic presidential candidate to..."

This is why Dean has become the frontrunner. He leads the polls because he leads in actions.

[alcuno]

4. Absolutely.

He has quite a set of balls on him.

[IndianaGreen]

11. Hey, that's why Dean rocks!

The other leading candidates will wait until it is safe for them to make a stand.

[JCMach1]

2. Definitely ahead of the curve

Way to go Dr. Dean!

[madfloridian]

6. Hi Jerald, how is it over there?

I lost the link to your blog for UAE. Can I get there through the Syndrone?

[wtmusic]

3. In this case, unfortunately

he's wrong.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=34289

[madfloridian]

5. Not wrong, it IS about a power grab.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/09/06/dean.davis/index.html
QUOTE...."I think this is the fourth attempt to undermine democracy in this
country by the right wing of the Republican Party since the 2000 elections,"
said Dean.
Other examples, he said, were the refusal by the "conservative-dominated
United States Supreme Court" to order a recount of the votes in Florida
during the 2000 presidential election and separate GOP-led redistricting
efforts in Colorado and Texas that could result in a loss of seats currently
held by Democrats. ...."

QUOTE..."Asked whether his presidential bid might be adversely affected by
his support for Davis, Dean responded, "I don't care. My trademark is I say
what I think, for better or for worse."

He added, "I'm tired of having this country run by the right wing. That is
not where most people are in this country, and I think we ought not to put
up with this anymore."

Asked whether he believed the White House was involved in the effort to
unseat Davis, Dean said, "Absolutely. I think
Karl Rove and George Bush have their hand in this....."

This was a very courageous stand for him to take. Good for him!

[wtmusic]

7. So it's about a power grab

That doesn't mean recalling Davis isn't best for California as well as the nation.

Here's why: there's a wonderful and altogether likely chance it will backfire on the 'pubbies:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=288636

Duped from another thread:

Davis' handling of the budget crisis is a crime. My kids have TWICE as many kids in each class this year because of firings and budget cuts.

Davis started out with a $4 billion budget surplus and now we have a $38 billion budget deficit, a deficit that is greater than ALL OTHER STATES COMBINED. He lied going into the election last year about the severity of the deficit to boot. If that isn't a misdemeanor it should be.

I don't agree with people who claim it's all his fault; but few doubt he was asleep at the wheel during the 2000-2001 energy crisis which is a major source of our problems today (CA has the highest energy rates in the nation). He has zero ideas and zero leadership, and narrowly beat a thoroughly uninspired candidate to win last November.

Bustamante deserves to be governor and Davis deserves to be dumped.

VOTE YES on the recall, YES on Bustamante!

[Thaddeus]

8. Sound byte:

"Republicans dislike democracy"

[newyawker99]

51. Hi Thaddeus!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Rose Siding]

9. But he WON

Wouldn't it bother you a little to let a few million repub dollars dictate who's competant?

Relative to other states pop and budgets, CA isn't significantly worse off. Davis has battled the energy companies AND Bush and the feds and won. Next up, revolutionizing the auto industry. STOP him!, scream the repubs and Dems, freaked by a BUSH economy jump on that?

No on recall, yes on Bustamante, regretfully.

What a waste of CA's taxes.

[wtmusic]

13. The recall will cost about $60 million

and our debt is costing us about $30 million per day.

Just to put things in perspective.

[w4rma]

20. The Republican minority in the State legislature stonewalled the budget

The Bush FTC refused to apply price caps on electricity when Davis asked them to. Davis fought and won against Enron and other Texas power companies. IMHO, this recall is, partially, an attempted revenge by Bush and other Republicans on Davis's success against Enron and, partially, an anti-democratic Republican Party power grab.

[cpa]

30. Cost Of Recall

That is why I propose that each of the petitioners' who voted for the recall be fined about $100 each to pay for this election. The law may permit this. However, the cost of this election should not be coming out of other people's pockets. I would even vote to fine out of California supporters of the recall-like the Governor Of Maryland. This will not happen.
This is another case of people wanting something that other people have to pay for.

[Zhade]

32. Wouldn't that be a poll tax?

NT

[cally]

38. California's budget problems

California relies on income tax and got huge increases in tax revenues due to the dot com boom and capital gains taxes. The legislature and Davis responded to the increased revenues with large increases in education spending and investment in long overdue infrastructure enhancements. I saw the projections in 98 and 99 and while some were raising questions about the spending, noone predicted the absolute collapse of the dot com industry and the double whammy of the energy crisis. Remember most other states and the federal government were spending similarly and had similar predictions. Remember investment advisors were still recommending dot com stocks. California got hit harder because we had more capital gains revenues.

Davis did tell us about the deficit before the election. Remember those stories claiming he was overestimating the problem to scare us. I knew about it before the election.

Finally, the Republican legislature said no new taxes. Davis wanted to raise taxes as does Bustamante. In the end, programs had to be cut and fees increased. There is no other way to balance the budget. I know several candidates say that they will break the energy contracts but I know Davis and Lockyer have tried. Thus far, the courts have ruled for the energy companies and the FERC has not helped.

One of the reasons school budgets have declined so dramatically this year is the budget reduced General Fund monies they were sending to local governments and schools. Remember the no new taxes pledge.

As another poster mentioned, Californians through the initiative process has put many constitutional restrictions on our budget process. There is very little discretionary spending.

The one place I think we need to dramatically decrease spending in on prisons. If we got rid of three strikes, offered more rehabilitation, cut down on death penalty cases, then we would decrease our spending on prisons. That is probably politically infeasible at this time, though.

[madfloridian]

10. Listened to Krugman for an hour on Russert's show.

He opened my eyes a lot. I don't claim to understand the budget situation there, as I have not studied it. If you respect his views, he says it is the laws of CA that regulate the budget more than the budget itself. I don't live there, but from what I have heard that sounds sensible.

My feeling is that if they did not want Davis, they should NOT have voted for him. Since they have him, there should be more than a poor budget to recall him.

I was very proud to see Dean stand up and say those things, and I do believe that if they elected him legally.....he is their governor unless he commits an illegal act.

I see your points as well. And I agree it will probably backfire on them.

Not being argumentative, just that I feel strongly about these efforts to change things that were done legally. It is scary.

[wtmusic]

12. We elected him legally

and now we are going to remove him legally.

The California budget is more than poor. It's practically broke. I'm looking at a future for my kids in overcrowded CA state schools and watching businesses bail because we can't stay competitive. It sucks, and again, I don't blame Davis for what caused the problem--I blame him for not taking it seriously early on and finding a way out.

The scariest thing is that there are 135 candidates on the ballot (some real nutcases too). Larry Flynt promises to be 'the smut peddler who cares' in the official voter pamphlet. A candidate with 15% of the vote could be our next governor.

I don't trust Davis to make it better because his credibility is nil after lying before the election--it's altogether arguable that that's what got him his job, so I have no compunction whatsoever about taking it away from him.

[Democat]

18. You speak in right wing soundbites

Are you a Green or a Democrat?

[Onlooker]

15. No on recall, Yes on Bustamante

I'm not from CA, but I hope you'll reconsider voting yes on the recall. While Davis has not done a good job, I'll bet you'll agree that much of the blame falls on the Bush administration. To support the recall is to legitimize the right-wing's sleazy attempts to manipulate elections. By opposing the recall, you may be supporting Davis, but more importantly, you'll be helping America stand up to the right wing. Also, since the recall effort began, Davis seems to be becoming more progessive.

[Frances]

25. I think the deficit is now

at $8 billion, not $38 billion. I think my state of California was raped by Kenny Lay while Cheney stood at the door keeping the police (federal government) from doing its job of protecting us.

Now if we recall Davis we will be punishing the victim.

One other point--if you don't like Davis, you can vote for someone else in the next election. That's what elections are for.

No on recall, yes on Bustamante

[Zhade]

33. THANK YOU.

I'd prefer my vote in the last election be respected. And thanks for mentioning the $8 billion amount - so few seem to know this. (A source for that might help with the inevitable argument regarding the amount, btw.)

No/Yes is the way to go. Fuck the GOP.

[WillyT]

39. I Would Also Like My Vote In Last November's CA Election Respected !!!

I, along with a definite majority of Californians, voted to have Davis as our governor for the next FOUR years. And NOTHING NEW (crimes\impeachable offenses) has occured between last November and now. We knew who we were voting for last November.

This is a power grab, and a second bite at the apple, by the right wing. I do not understand Democrats who support this move. ESPECIALLY after Florida 2000, Georgia 2002, and Texas and other states right now.

This is setting a dangerous trend, and is almost the polar opposite of what Hiram Johnson and the progressive reformers had in mind when they got the recall\initiative\referendum processes into the CA Constitution.

Also, I'm curious as to how many Dems supportive of recalling Davis, actually voted FOR him last November. Defenders of Democracy would love to know!!!

:shrug:

On edit: NO ON RECALL, yes on Bustamante...

[wtmusic]

41. I voted for him, but now we have a better choice

There have been no crimes or impeachable offenses, but none are required. He is not being impeached.

A definite majority? Where are you getting your figures? I guess one vote is a 'definite majority', but in reality there were about two percentage points between him and Bill Simon (blechh).

Go to Davis' website:

http://www.governor.ca.gov

You will find some fascinating information on designs for the new state quarter, on saving energy, on student testing...and not a word on the NUMBER ONE issue facing the state. He has had his chance to step up to the plate and blown it. Bye bye...

[WillyT]

42. OK, Ok... He Got The MOST Votes By About 5% Which Is...

A pretty respectable margin these days, apparently.

Link: http://www.smartvoter.org/2002/11/05/ca/state/race/gvrnr/

You may think that this is a 'golden' opportunity, but watch out for the Law of Unintended Consequences. This just may come back to bite us all in our collective asses!!!

:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:

When your enemy invites you to dinner, make sure they sip the wine first!!!

[wtmusic]

43. I see the recall as win-win

and I know I'm virtually alone here, but...

If Davis is out and Bustamante is in, the state has some hope and we will carry 2004 no problem.

If Davis is in, well, we can always hope he'll learn how to govern (?), and we'll carry the state next year as well.

If Ahnold wins...we'll have a guy who is about as left as a Republican can be. He really doesn't know what the hell he is talking about with the economy, which is scary. But I see Ahnold as a longshot getting longer by the minute.

[WillyT]

46. So I Take It You're Not Taking Dean's Advice, LOL ???

;-)

[wtmusic]

48. No, I'm not

the Doc's not God but he's damn close!

[Zhade]

31. ENRON? Hello?

Why do people so easily forget California being raped by the energy scammers?

I don't. Maybe it's because I had to pay those high prices?

[Democat]

17. Another anti-Democrat Democrat?

So many Democrats working against Democratic interests here at DU lately.

The right wingers are trying to take over California and exploit an old law and a lot of right wing money to do it.

I can't believe there is a single Democrat who isn't brainwashed by the right wing media who supports the far right wing power grab.

[wtmusic]

22. Is being for Bustamante being brainwashed?

Did you even read the post? Let me get this straight--because I would rather have a fiscally responsible governor with some ideas, I'm anti-Democrat.

What makes you think Republicans will be able to grab power? Is it Arnold's sag in the polls? Or does supporting something that started out as a Republican idea just chafe you too much to see this is a golden opportunity to turn the tables on them, and get a better governor as well?

[Democat]

24. I didn't say you were "brainwashed"

I said Democrats supporting the recall are falling for the right wing trick of blaming everything on Davis. Trying to throw out a recently elected Democrat because a few rich right wing fanatics, with the help of an old law and a conservative media, is not exactly a pro-Democrat position.

The right wing of the Republican party is behind this, no one else.

You can say that 30% of Democrats say they would recall Davis, but ask yourself why that is. Why do so many Democrats love Bush in the polls?

Mostly because the right wing media tells them what to think.

You have a right to vote for whatever or whoever you want, but I think any Democrat supporting the recall is harming the Democratic Party and the idea of democracy.

This recall is being correctly explained as part of a pattern of attacks on American democracy by the right wing of the Republican Party. I don't see why anyone would support the right wing's attempt to undermine democracy.

I have no problem with Cruz. He'll probably make a great governor some day. That's not the point. The point is that if Davis is recalled, then the right wing has been rewarded for their continued attack on democracy.

[wtmusic]

26. I really don't care if the right feels rewarded

if Cruz Bustamante is our new Governor and the state has hope again and Shrub is that much closer to retirement.

[farmboxer]

14. I Am Beginning To Like Dean

He speaks out! Democrats need to just tell the truth and Dean appears to be doing so. I am tired of so many Democrats walking on eggs. I will vote Democrat no matter who, but Dean appears to be the best right now.

[truthisfreedom]

16. transcript of (truncated) dean/davis statements on CNN

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0309/06/se.04.html

<snip>
If you go back and look at what's happened in this country since the Supreme Court decided that George Bush had won the presidential election, you will find the following things. First, the conservative-dominated United States Supreme Court opted not to recount the votes in the state of Florida, overruling the state court. Secondly, this spring in Colorado, the conservative legislature and conservative governor broke all precedents by redistricting the Colorado Congressional Delegation, and thus making it likely that the Democrats would lose seats.

Recently, I met with the 10 senators from Texas who are in New Mexico because they have changed the rules in the Texas State Senate and allowed a majority, a small majority, instead of two-thirds vote, to bring up yet another redistricting plan, unprecedented in the history of Texas. After only two years later, after doing the previous redistricting plan, which would, by all accounts, take away additional Democratic congressional seats. And finally, we now have in California a financed -- self-financed initiative to be put on the ballot by one of the most right wing conservative members of the Congress who paid for this largely out of his own money to undo an election that has been held less than a year ago.

I believe the right wing of the Republican Party is deliberately undermining the Democratic underpinnings of this country. I believe that they do not care what Americans think, and they do not accept the legitimacy of our elections, and have now for the fourth time in the fourth state attempted to do what they can to remove democracy from America.

Democracy is what's made this country the greatest country on earth, the most stable democracy in the history of the world, over 200 years. What's going on in California, in the nation's biggest state, is nothing less than an attempt by the right wing to undo what this country is all about.

That's what the 2004 presidential election's going to be about, is democracy, our ideals, and who shall govern, and how we shall govern, with the consent of the people. This president, this right wing of the Republican Party, evidently holds the consent of the people in low regard.
<snip>

incredible! i love it!
 

[Sean Reynolds]

19. How can you NOT love the guy?

[janx]

50. If Dean is nominated, just wait until the general election.

People all over the country are going to love Dean.

[Zhade]

34. That is pretty impressive stuff.

I'm still not fully decided on a candidate, but this does reveal a lot of promise for Dean.

At any rate, anyone who speaks truth about the facists in power has my respect, even if they're normally not likely to do so. In fact, when I see a Republican, for example, speak against BushCo, it's awesome.

Good job, Dean! :)

[w4rma]

21. Give 'em hell, Howard! (n/t)

[Piperay]

23. I just may turn into a Dean

supporter, I have been leaning toward Edwards but Dean may bring me over to his side. :thumbsup: :-)

[Upfront]

27. Howard Dean

is the real deal. He reminds me so much od another great democrat, Harry Truman. Once again he is out front leading in the right direction. Give um hell Howard!:-)

[Cronus Protagonist]

28. I saw Dean on TV for the first time - I like him

I saw clips from that press conference. Of course the nazi news nabobs segued into an in-studio interview with McClintock, the far right nutter in the CA race and gave him plenty of air time. However, they showed Dean's quotes in a video clip as a teaser at the lead-in, at a break or two and also during the segment. Dean looks scrappy and honest. I liked him. And it was the first time I've ever seen a politician on TV say anything negative about Bush (I don't have cable and don't watch much TV).

At this point, I'd say I would be ecstatic if either Dean or Kucinich got the "nod". Dean is scrappy, but clear and no-nonsense. The camera likes him too. Kucinich is inspiring and I think he looks good on camera but he takes generally poor still photographs, which is not much of a consideration, but it is one nonetheless.

Dean came across a little naiive, but I don't hold that against him as both he and Dennis have an idealistic message that is often associated with youth and inexperience.

I really like them both now, whereas before I had seen Dean, I was a lot more lukewarm to him as Dennis is way more inpiring in his speeches.

It's going to be a tough battle, and it looks like Dean has the edge moneywise and number of supporters, but Dennis knows how to run from behind, so this is getting good. I'm very pleased that we have these two great candidates running. It shows the Democratic party is vital and hasn't lost its edge after all.



Click Here To See Fair & Balanced Buttons, Stickers & Magnets!>

[trumad]

29. Question for wtmusic

How does it feel to be in support of a Republican financed plot to remove the recently elected Democratic Gov of CA? You do know that this whole recall was created by Rove and financed by Issa?.... Doesn't it bother you that your teaming up with scumbag repukes in this recall?.... Dontcha feel pretty God Damn Dirty?...

[nolabels]

36. This recall is so wrong, And ARNOLD has ruined what little image.........

he had left. This is also a great clue and leaves all fair game in any Election untill sanity is restored. Whatever piece of moralilty the right wing ever wanted to claim has left the building along with Elvis. Fallwell should be giving day and night sermons on how wrong this is, but instead claims to be part of the team. These people that claim to be republicans, conservative or religous reek to no end.

I will not be listening to any hack, candidates or any other group about this either. I was sent one E-mail by a politcal campaign stating one should not waste time on this matter. I decided it was better not to waste time on them instead.

[wtmusic]

37. I don't care where it came from

I'm looking where it's going. McAuliffe echoed my sentiments on MTP this morning--if Democrats show up at the polls Pubs will have their heads handed to them on a platter, and will be worse off.

Rove is developing a facilitous knack for inserting foot in mouth with his Dean comments and support for the recall.

Question for trumad: would you diss the recall if in doing so it helped * get reelected?

[FauxNewsBlues]

35. Very Mixed Feelings on this

I do not like Gray Davis. He is corrupt, he is unethical, and he isn't that competent. I say this from a liberal perspective. He takes bribes from the prison industry to keep locking people up, he over rules his pardon board and keeps innocent people in prison, in order to fuel his political interests, he got rolled by Enron et al, and I still do not forgive him for the Dianne Feinstein/Leona Helmsley ads he ran in 94, even if Dianne herself has let him off the hook.

That being said, I am turning down the recall, and voting for Bustamonte as well in case. I wish we had a better governor, but he is not Ah-Nold or McClintock. I hope that Gray Davis will now at least, forget any plans of running for President in 2008, and do what's right for us, as opposed to plotting for a Presidential run that is never going to happen.

[Southsideirish]

40. So typical of Howard Dean - a man of integrity and courage. n/t

[PopSixSquish]

44. Good for Governor Dean

and in the interest of full disclosure, I haven't decided who I am voting for in the Democratic primary in Georgia yet.

<beginrant>

But as a former California resident for 15 years, it pisses me off to no end to hear that other Democrats support this recall effort. I voted for Governor Davis twice and I'll be dammed if some CRYBABY, KNUCKLE-DRAGGING, NEANDERTHAL, FUSSBUDGET, CAR-THIEF, Republican congressman will spend millions of dollars to negate that vote. Just because this recall is legal doesn't make it right!

There are millions of federal and state laws in this country which people and corporations take advantage of daily. But to follow the logic of some, it's ok that they do, even if they hurt other folks in the process, because hey, IT'S LEGAL

Oh, but this is different? :mad: Give unto me a break.

</endrant>

[Robin Hood]

45. Dean gets IT!! If we lose California to Ahnut, might as well kiss off 04'

Because it will all be over. If they win California, all the candidates should save their money and go home. And Dean is the only one that gets this.

[David__77]

47. Thank you Dr. Dean!

We need all candidates and Democratic leaders to come to California to help us fight!

[janx]

49. Thank God he mentioned Colorado.

Most people know nothing about that.