Tab on recall election doubles to $67 million

[jamesinca]

Tab on recall election doubles to $67 million
Lockyer admonishes Davis while Boxer hedges her bets

Robert Salladay, Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writers Saturday, August 2, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The recall campaign against Gov. Gray Davis got more expensive and more complicated Friday, as Democrats continued to snipe at each other and the expected public cost to run the special election doubled to $67 million.

More than 250 Californians -- including millionaires, local gadflies, political mavericks and a porn king -- have retrieved the necessary paperwork to run against Davis on the Oct. 7 recall ballot. They have until 5 p.m. Aug. 9 to officially declare their candidacies.

With uncertainty over who will challenge him, Davis is entering the most precarious week of his political life, made even more difficult because of a warning by Democratic Attorney General Bill Lockyer this week that Davis would face consequences if he ran a "puke campaign" trashing his opponents.

The recall election against Davis came about because more than 1.6 million Californians signed a petition, financed by Republicans, forcing the special election. Voters will be asked whether Davis should be ousted and who should replace him if a majority votes "yes" on the first question.

Democratic unity behind a decision to keep top-tier Democrats off the recall ballot showed further signs of fraying. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said Friday she is leaving her options open for encouraging a Democratic candidate to run as a potential replacement.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/08/02/MN296428.DTL


Davis is also warned in the article by the CA AG Bill Lockyr tht a smear campaign against peopel running will cost him legally!!

[jamesinca]

1. It seems in the article Boxer is considering a run at it

I think this whole thing is going to be a bumpy ride, so I may just tune it out till election day, save my self the ulcer. This whole process is going to happen with one result or another regardless of how upset i get between now and then.

[tlb]

2. Unlike Davis and Maculiffe, Boxer is no fool.

A strong alternative to Davis is precisely what the Ca dems need. The may have waited too long to face reality as it is.

With his approval in the low to mid 20s, Davis is unsustainable.

[jamesinca]

3. But listening to all the talk, I think it can be debated

I do like th idea of a safety net, but people make the argument tha it adds validity to the recall. I am coming of the opinion that regarless of validity, we need a safety net. Ok, Davis beats the recall, no problem. Davis does not beat the recall, I would like to put another dem in there and let her pick her replacement on the hill.

[saigon68]

12. SOUNDS LIKE POODLE BLAIR = Approval rates in the mid 20s

I have seen Davis on TV a few times. He comes across like an arrogant ass-hole. I'm sure he's a fine man, but he should have been cultivating some kind of better public persona.

As much as I detest Reagan, he sure knew how to do it.

[expatriot]

4. that's gonna be one helluva ballot! 250 names and counting....

[tlb]

5. The latest addition is Gallagher

Let the Napa Valley watermelon crop tremble !

http://gallaghersmash.com/index2.htm

[expatriot]

7. i just made up Gallinger up before i saw your post... that is freaky....

[expatriot]

6. I can just see it now.... an attack ad against Joe from down the street...

Announcer: "At first glance, Joe Gallinger is just another face among the 350 Californians who will appear on the recall ballot... but California be warned, looks can be decieving...

In 1981, Joe took Cindy Miller to the senior prom but after she repeatedly refused his solicitations for sex... he dropped off at home and never called her again.

1n 1983, Joe never attended a single lecture in one of his college courses, but instead managed to pass the course by purchasing notes from the T.A.

Had enough of Joe's dirty laundry? Hold on, California... it gets worse.

In 1989, Joe is reported to have used a racial slur while drinking beer with his old college buddies and in 1993 he called in sick just so he could golf....

Joe Gallinger. He's not the man for California. "

[dbt]

8. Ah, we approach the magical $70 Million!

Is that the amount that Richard Mellon Scaife has decreed shall be spent by Repugs to take down Democrats (see Clinton/Whitewater) when an election MUST be overturned? Sure seems like it!

:evilgrin:
dbt

[dmr]

9. This is insane!

It makes my blood boil. While the Republicans have finance this fiasco, I keep thinking about a thread yesterday posted by JudiLyn:

July 31, 2003, 11:54PM

Davis recall election sparks Florida fears for top Democrats
By ERICA WERNER
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Democratic Party leaders warned Thursday that the Oct. 7 recall election against Gov. Gray Davis could result in Florida-style problems of disenfranchising poor and minority voters.

The chairmen of the California Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee told reporters that the consolidation of precincts in some counties could result in some voters not being able to get to their polling places.

"What I fear is what happened to us in Florida when many black and Latino voters were denied the right to vote because of mix-ups," said California Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres.

Counties including Los Angeles County are eliminating polling places to save money. Los Angeles County had 5,000 polling places in the last countywide election but will have about half that in the special election, officials said.

"This election may very well be invalidated" because people do not have access to voting booths, Torres said. (snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2022198


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=46338&mesg_id=46338

Why can't people see through this?

[aquart]

15. Repugs ain't spending the $70 million.

The cash-strapped citizens of California are being screwed once again.

Did it to themselves, though, didn't they?

Oh, hope Larry Flynt wins. just for kicks.

[Drifter]

10. So if Davis is not recalled ...

Do the asshole Republicans that initiated it have to foot the bill ? Oh, I doubt it. You can bet the State has to pay for it. And exactly how does this help the massive debt situation.

Cheers
Drifter

[trapper914]

13. Not only that...

...but by California law, if Davis somehow wins in the recall election, the state has to reimburse him his campaign expenses. The cost of this recall could go well over $100 mil.

[samsingh]

11. repugs will spend public funds on themselves

notice how repugs will spend any amount of public funds to get what they want - but don't have the decency to spend any amount to help the unfortunate in society.

[mitchtv]

14. the sad part is..Davis needs 50% or more to prevali

it is conceivable that a highest votegetter in the pukes will win with 30 % or so, Anyone ready for another recall in time for our March primary?