BREAKING CA SUPREME COURT DISMISSES ALL RECALL LAWSUITS

[undergroundrailroad]

Calif. Supreme Court Upholds Recall Vote

By DAVID KRAVETS
The Associated Press
Thursday, August 7, 2003; 7:46 PM


SAN FRANCISCO - The state Supreme Court on Thursday declined to intervene in California's recall election, clearing the way for an Oct. 7 vote on whether to remove Gov. Gray Davis from office.



© 2003 The Associated Press

[newyorican]

1. Recall will go ahead in Oct. Davis not a choice

...

[Isere]

45. Dont' panic! It isn't over, folks!

Everyone is in a state of panic today. Just sit tight! This isn't over by any stretch of the imagination! Just because a muscle-bound media star entered the race doesn't mean that the voters will be silly enough to place him on the throne of a state that represents the sixth largest economy in the world. What are his skills? What does he know about California? How is HE going to shovel California out of the mire?

Wait until the electorate gets a good look at the Repug candidates. Wait until they see what an unqualified poseur Schwartzenegger is! Wait until the Davis Machine springs into action. Just wait!

It ain't over til it's over!

Democrats need to stick together now more than ever. NO TO RECALL!

[IndianaGreen]

2. Terry MacCauliff screwed up!

He should have let the Dems pick a strong candidate long before it got to this point. MacCauliff was the reason Feinstein chose not to run.

[hotphlash]

3. Terry is done in my book. DLC can go to hell.

n/t

[jiacinto]

5. What does the DLC have to do with the recall?

nt

[Emboldened Chimp]

7. Terry is DNC, not DLC

[hotphlash]

24. All right, my bad, let me rephrase...NO WAIT

Terry is done in my book. The DLC can go to hell. Both true, unrelated, but true.

[lcordero]

30. He has been done for a while

He should have been stripping people of their (D)s a long time ago. He should have started stripping (D)s here in New York in 2001. And I mean from both sides of the disputes.

[fujiyama]

46. 2002 debacle

Wasn't he partly responsible for the mess in the 2002 election?

Plus this guy has some pretty corrupt corporate dealings (things with Global Crossing, etc).

He shoulda been dumped a while back.

[newyawker99]

53. Hi fujiyama!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Rose Siding]

11. The Dems elected their candidate

What has McAuliffe to do with that?

The repubs don't like who the Dems ran and who was legally elected, so the Dems should choose someone else? Why?

[IndianaGreen]

15. MacCauliff told the California Democrats to rally behind Davis

even after it was obvious that Davis had lost the support of the majority of Democratic voters. Not having a Democratic challenger on the ballot would have meant giving up on the Governorship without a fight.

[Rose Siding]

31. I've seen polls

But not of just Democrats. I sort of favor not changing horses in the middle of the race.

Davis is in this mess, imo, as part of the energy mess which was caused by a large number of wealthy repub campaign contributors. CA's difficulties were intensified by policies of the new Bush admin.

Davis has even gotten some unfairly recompensed settlements against them while simultaneously supporting emmission standards that are driving the admin nuts.

He and CA are Bush targets and I don't like to see them go down as planned. There are many other Dem governors but which ones have matched CA's new energy policies?

[Guaranteed]

32. All I know is we need a consensus, NOW.

Enough bickering. Someone take control and TELL Dems who to vote for. NOW, DAMMIT. Doesn't matter who. Just flip a damned coin.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. Damn It!!!

Thanks Terry! The Democrats need to fight like HELL!

[Mz Pip]

6. Doesn't surprise me

THe SF Chronicle had a profile of the CA Supreme Court. Most were appointed by Wilson or Dukemejian. THey're prettty conservative. In fact Bush has his eyes on one of them for one of his Judicial Appointments. Brown I think her name is.

Sigh.


MzPip
:dem:

[Exultant Democracy]

8. That is criminal

Another repuklican Court giving the old F you to democracy.

[fujiyama]

48. yes it is...

and once again lower income voters in primarilly minority neighborhoods will get fucked in the process...

$60 million for this crap...and the people in those neighborhoods can't get polling places ready in time because there's no money. This is so outrageous and discriminatory (and I'm one to use caution before yelling discimination)...Absolutely apalling.

[blondeatlast]

9. Crap. crap. cra. crap, CRAP!

McCauliffe can kiss my . . .

On second thought, no he can't kiss anything of mine.

F*CKER! Thats as rough as I get, gang--I'm P*SSED!

[meti57b]

10. McAuliffe should resign ....

If this is an example of his job ability and competence, how is he going to be able to handle national politics? ... especially for the 2004 elections?!

[dusty64]

13. He should have a long

time ago. He is a great at raising money and that is what he should do, he doesn't know crap about strategy.

[section321]

14. What chance does Carville have of getting that job?

n/t

[Jack Rabbit]

19. McAuliffe will be made chairman for life

I still can't believe this guy hasn't been properly rewarded for those impressive Democratic gains in Congressional races last year.

With a similar success in California recall, he'll probably by named DNC chairman for life.

[dusty64]

12. Looks like the supremes

will have a hard time turning back the next recall after the repuke weasels their way in. I'll bet their first action will be trying to kill the recall provision.

[Jack Rabbit]

16. No real surprise

Anybody who was banking on the California Supreme Court to block the recall is dreaming.

Anybody who is banking on the California Supreme Court to rule that the replacement election is null and void and the the Lt Governor will automatically assume the governor's office if Davis is removed is likewise pinning hopes on an unlikely event.

Right now, the most likely outcome, whether we like it or not, is that Davis will not be Governor of California on October 8. Let's plan for that.

I will vote No on the recall and for the progressive/liberal/centrist with the best chance of keeping a Republican out of the governor's office.

Does anybody find that unreasonable?

[section321]

17. sounds reasonable to me.

.

[Shrek]

18. Let me ask you this

Since I have noticed that you are clear-headed about California election law.

What happens if Davis resigns tonight, and then tomorrow files papers to be a candidate on the recall ballot?

Within the law?

[Jack Rabbit]

22. No

Davis is still the target of the recall and cannot run to replace himself.

It would, however, give voters two ways to vote for Bustamante: vote No on the recall and vote for Bustamante as the replacement.

[Melsky]

20. That is what I plan to do

(vote against the recall and for the most progressive electable candidate)

What else can I do? I'm worried that ah-nold will end up as the governer. Just because of all the idiots out there who think that it would be cool to have the termanator as gov.

This whole thing makes me ill.

[CatWoman]

23. Right on Jack

sounds like a plan :thumbsup:

[BushWhacker]

21. Everyone please read and respond. Serious question

*Gets out his tinfoil hat* ok someone tell me what the heck is going on in California...

Are they recalling votes because of the power outages in 2000? The same power outages that Bush said as soon as he got elected "It's California's Problem?" Did we all forget about that? Enron? Does that ring a bell..

I'm probably off base so could someone PLEASE fill me in so I can remove my naivity....

Further, how do they think that a smut magazine owner and a robotic terminator can run the state better than Davis?

I mean does Flynt realize that he can't power the state by masturbation and does the terminator realize he can't run the state by liquid mercury? Ugh. I'm so confused.

Get rid of Davis who's priorities are social justice, bring in Flynt who promotes sex or Ahnold who promotes violence? The choices are amazing.

[Jack Rabbit]

29. Serious answers

Fundamentally, he's very unpopular. The good news for Democrats overall is that his unpopularity is personal. It wouldn't surprise me to see him recalled and replaced by an ideological soulmate like Bustamante. Both are bland centrists.

Much of this unpopularity has to do with the the energy crisis. Most of it isn't deserved, but it's there. The state energy crisis has led to a critical budget shortfall. Again, it isn't fair to blame Davis, but many people do.

Finally, Davis is a master fundraiser who acts more concerned about raising a campaign war chest than governing. On this one the criticism is richly deserved. His fundraising tactics are this side of the law, but not the sort of thing a progressive remormer would embrace.

The Republicans have launched a recall drive because they can. Davis is unpopular, Issa had the money to publicize it. Polls differ on how badly, but the all have Davis going down. I think an 8% margine is about the most optimistic one I've seen.

Reference:
The California Recall by Jack Rabbit, Democratic Underground
Part One, July 30
Part Two, July 31

[kainah]

36. Then, another serious question

What about the turn-out? Will Dems be energized to vote?

[Jack Rabbit]

40. It doesn't look like it

Again, Davis' unpopularity is personal. It crosses party and ideological lines. About a third of those who signed the recall petition were registered Democrats.

To energize Democrats into voting, they need to feel there is a reasonable alternative to Davis should he be recalled. Such a voter needs to feel there is an alternative whether or not he actually supports the recall. Whether he votes Yes or No, he doesn't want to wake up on October 8 and find Arnold Swchwarzenegger or Larry Flynt in Sacramento.

Let's hope Bustamante's announcement will provide that alternative. I'm hoping that in addition to providing that alternative, Bustamanate will also articulate reasons to vote No on the recall effort.

[fujiyama]

47. good analysis

It seems like this (personal disliking of Davis) is the case, considering many democrats were foolish enough to go along with the recall. Another problem is that Arnold is relatively moderate, which means the thugs have an even better chance of stealing the governorship.

This thing seems more and more difficult. I don't know how popular or well know Bustamante is, but he seems to the only realistic hope (unless there is some other person that jumps in by sat.) Yet another problem is the number of liberal left votes that may go for Arianna or Camejo (that's the gp's candidate right?).

Well, it seems as though people need to be convinced to vote no, and for a decent liberal-left leaning replacement. What I see happening is republicans uniting behind Arnold (they learned their lesson after Simon last time and notice how Issa is out), while the left vote will seemingly be split between Arianna, Camejo and Bustamante. Not good...and meanwhile those dems that just don't like Davis, will vote yes for the recall anyways thinking "it can't get worse". Too bad these people don't realize (or didn't realize when signing the petition) that Davis, while being aloof and an obsessive fundraiser is not really at fault for this budget crisis...

[Jack Rabbit]

51. We'll see

I think many liberal/left voters are like me (I'm a registered Green) and will vote No on the recall question and just vote to block a Republican among the replacement candidates. Unlike many Greens, I think a recall is more like an impeachment than like giving a prime minister a vote of no confidence. Those pushing the recall should be showing that Davis is guilty malfeasance, but the case to be made on those lines is a weak one.

Bustamante is not liberal/left. He's a centrist who is committed to Lieberman in the presidential primary.

There was some talk that if Arianna entered, Peter Camejo would get out and support her. I don't know if that is going to happen, but it may not be relevant. Camejo would actually make a good governor in spite of (not because of) his unorthadox ideology. If given the choice between Arianna and Camejo, I'd pick Camejo.

As for the budget crisis, that has become an annual ritual in California. There is less of a case for hanging that on Davis than there is for hanging the energy crisis on him. An amendment to the state constitution passed in the eighties requires two-thirds of each house of the legislature to agree on the budget in order to pass it. Since that passed, not only has the budget been late every year, it has been ridiculously late. Let's get this back to a simple majority. The state constitution already requires the budget to be balanced and gives the governor the right to veto line items. The two-thirds requirement is overkill. It was an attempt to fix something that wasn't broken.

[sungkathak]

25. Steal California (7/31)

Steal California (7/31)

It's an operation can only be activated by an organization with large resource.

1) No one has such determination to do this just 4 months after the Governor being re-elected unless it has an urgent motivation.
2) Though Republican like to see Davis losing the post of Governor, they also worry about a backlash by voters. They lack of the motivation.
3) A swift and effective movement to collect 1.7 million of signatures show that it was done by a well organized and experienced group. Which has rich financial and manpower resource.
4) Some activists with a dirty background. Issa, the man started the recall, was fined for gun possession, faced theft charge. He had a string of youthful brushes with the law that include allegations of stealing cars and once set fire to his car-alarm business. Davis camp also complained some people worked to collect signatures with criminal record so tainted petition. We know Federal agents used to manipulate gang member and criminals to work for them.
5) The group behind the scene has rich resource in judicial system. Though Davis camp filed suits in court to halt the recall, they suffered setbacks both in Sarcamento and Los Angles counties. The suits were rejected within days, a very efficient procession in judicial system.
6) The group behind the scene has rich resource in media. Mercury News, so said a "liberal media", propagand on recall with first page, pages of articles, stories such like "The pay only $7 yearly in car tax, which will increase to $20 under Gov. Gray Davis' proposed budget." hinted Davis will be ousted.
7) The group behind the scene also has big influence in Democratic Party. Though Davis is in inferior position. No other Demo came out to run the election. This is incredible. Which means they'll give up the position to their rivals without campaign.
8) My experience is media is in stronghold of intelligence. Early this year, a TV station announced one of their colleague would leave to work in a county election office. I had a feeling then they'll move their resource to control the election office for 2004. Now it seems they are preparing for an early election.

California is a camp of Democratic Party. With a sudden attack, I expect a patsy of intelligence will steal it. Which will enable intelligence easier do any commitment. But also US democracy will fall further into a covert totalitarianism.

[Sheet22]

37. Sniff, sniff,

smells like bushshit to me all of the sudden.



:freak:

[PartyPooper]

26. Karl Rove and the White House must be very pleased with themselves.

This is a HUGE victory for the Republicans...if the Dems lose the recall...we're in BIG trouble in next year's presidential race. And, they know it!

Former Governor Pete Wilson (R) = energy deregulation = Enron and Bush White House skullduggery = California energy crisis = huge deficits = blame Davis = recall initiated & paid for by Darryl Issas = Arnold Schwarzenneger, et. al. entering race + assorted Dems including Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (D) = political chaos = total media diversion from G.W. Bush and his shenannigans = very possible Republican coup in state as a prelude to 2004 campaign = what the "adults in charge" wanted in the first place.

:-(

[PROGRESSIVE1]

33. Yes...

There are some people on this board that don't think it will be "so bad" if Arnie wins it. IT'S BAD FOR DEMOCRATS!!!
The Republiklans must be defeated at all costs!!!

[peterh]

27. Well, I guess this will be 24/7 with the media….

We have another hijacking of an elected democrat….nevermind that the nation has been hijacked…

[PartyPooper]

41. It used to be bad to mix politics and religion...now we have both plus

"pop culture" and "hero worship" as an added bonus. This will certainly provide a non-stop media feeding frenzy!

[Maccagirl]

28. I heard that Schwarzenegger could win with just 15%

Is that true? My God what a mess California would be in! If being a celebrity is all it takes, at least have someone with brains and ideas like Robert Redford run for office.

[tinanator]

34. define truth

at the moment it looks like a Bustamante shoe in. A much more interesting development than Arnold's inclusion. We will never know what Arnold's real chances might have been with out Cruz in the soup.
I think Camejo might have come out ahead, disregarding the presumed overwhelming advantage of Arnold's sexy fame, NAZI roots, accent and youthful/middle aged indiscretions. Give it up for those vice forgiving Republicans! Oops, maybe not locally, the local Republican whore monger is being shunned. Delicious irony, if Arnold and Heidi Fleiss were acquainted. Cant win. My moneys on Davis.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

38. Bustamante...

has an advantage even though our "Librul Merikan Hatin' Medya" is not giving him enough face time.
The California news media will cover this. Cruz does have an advantage over Arnie in that he too has name reconition and is a popular incumbent in the number two spot!!! Let us pray that if the recall succeeds then he must replace Grey!

[Jack Rabbit]

42. There's no run off

IF the recall question carries, the replacement candidate with the most votes wins. With hundreds of candidates, it theoretically could be less than 1% of the vote.

[Sheet22]

35. So,

the is new hit movie "Arnoldgetton" going to be the latest summer blockbuster?

[short bus president]

39. Governor F*cking Schwartzenegger.

Better get used to the concept. Coming soon to a doomed state near you.

[dw]

43. How about "President F*cking Schwartzenegger"?

If Reagan could make it from there, why not the Terminator?

[toska]

44. Arnie can't be president

Wasn't born in the U.S.

[fujiyama]

49. You think that'll stop the rethugs!

Since when did the constitution prevent the thugs from doing something!?

[Art_from_Ark]

52. Well, the Constitution DID prevent Reagan from seeking a third term

but that now seems like many eons ago

[goforit]

50. Republican fingerprints all over it!!!........Good luck CA!!!

Pathetic!!!