Bustamante claims sabotage by Davis | Sacramento Bee

[Ediacara]

Bustamante claims sabotage by Davis
He says the governor is undercutting his recall bid as an alternate Democrat.

By Gary Delsohn -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Monday, August 18, 2003

Any pretense that Gov. Gray Davis and Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante are united in their fight against the recall vanished Sunday when the lieutenant governor went on national television and accused Davis of undermining his bid to give voters a Democratic replacement if the recall succeeds.

"If some of the governor's minions would stop trying to undercut my efforts, I think we could have a very coalesced opportunity for Democrats," Bustamante, the only established Democrat on the recall replacement ballot, said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I think if he worked with me a little bit more, I think we could make sure that we had a good strategy for the people of California and to make sure that the Democratic Party kept hold of this position."

Later in the day, Bustamante's chief consultant charged that Davis aides are calling Indian tribal leaders and others to urge them not to support Bustamante.

"They're contacting potential supporters and contributors and telling them don't give (money) and don't support Bustamante's effort," said Richie Ross, Bustamante's consultant.

More at the Sacramento Bee

[Caution]

1. geee there's a shocker....

Davis wants to defeat an opponent. Gee why didnt anyone see this one coming. Gimme a break.

[joeybee12]

2. For those of you who think Bustamente is the Dems' Savior

Here's proof the ambitious, back-stabbing little nitwit isn't even competent!

And don't make me get nasty!

[shanti]

4. oh knock it off!

you've been on this tangent for days now and it's NOT working!

[joeybee12]

9. What you talkin' bout?

To coin a phrase. Maybe it's not working, but only because the Dems heads in CA are too thick to get through. Nice way to blow it people.

[Ediacara]

6. so giving the election to Rainier Wolfcastel

is preferable to guarenteeing a dem, even a dino, victory?

[Ediacara]

3. this is absolutely idiotic on Davis' part

and he deserves to be kicked out. Why the California dems can't seem to all agree that, "no on recall, yes on Bustamante" is the best plan for all the dems, I'll never understand....

[slackmaster]

5. How do you figure Bustamante is Davis' opponent?

America wants to know.

[joeybee12]

8. It's obvious Bustamente is Davis' opponent

All this crap about NO on Recall, Yes on Bustamente is just crap, pure and simple. By running, Bustament increases the chances of Davis being recalled, not the other way around. Stay united and you win, let twits like Bustamente see this (like Ah-nuld and all the other dweebs) as a power grab, then let the chips fall where they may. Simply by running Bustamente is saying this Nazi power-grab is legitimate--he deserves to fall into the great abyss of political oblivion, which will happen when he loses and doesn't even garner 2% of the vote.

[slackmaster]

10. I'm afraid I have to repeat my previous question

By running, Bustament increases the chances of Davis being recalled...

How do you figure that?

Do you think California voters are too stupid to understand that the questions are separate? Having a Democratic alternative gives Democrats TWO opportunities to keep the Governorship: 1 - Keep Davis in office, and IF AND ONLY IF THAT FAILS, 2 - Vote for Bustamante.

I keep reading two alternative proposals: 1 - Davis should resign and 2 - No Democrat should run. Either of those gives Democrats only ONE opportunity to keep the office.

I wish Monty Hall was here. He could explain it more clearly than I can. Or Marilyn Vos Savant.

[joeybee12]

12. I'll try to make this simple

By running a Dem, they are saying the recall is legit, which it isn't. Giving people the option to choose a Dem makes it more likely that even Dems will vote for the recall. It's basic--more choices, and a less simple message. It's Politics 101.

What the Dems should have done is just backed Davis, and kept playing it up for the Nazi power grab it is. But noooooooooooooooooooo...they couldn't get that simplicity through their tiny little minds. Bustamente saw a power grab for himself, and went for it, democracy be dammed. The Rethugs are nicely eating their own, what with Simon and others trashing Ah-nuld. Now Bustamente shows how politically inept he is by going public with what he alleges Davis is doing--and by slamming Davis, he is making himself look little, and dividing the dems.

Face it, it's already over. The only hope is a March (not October) recall election whgere people have this farce thrown in their face for so long they vote no just to get the damn thing over.

[slackmaster]

15. You lost me in your first sentence and went downhill from there

By running a Dem, they are saying the recall is legit, which it isn't.

The recall IS legitimate, legal, and real no matter how long you can keep your fingers in your ears and say "NYAH NYAH NYAH I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" without breathing. Pretending it isn't real is the surest way for Democrats to lose the Governorship.

Giving people the option to choose a Dem makes it more likely that even Dems will vote for the recall.

That is pure speculation with no facts to back it up, and it's a flawed analysis from the start. Question #1 is Davis vs. No More Davis. There's nobody running against him there. If he LOSES (and that is a very real possibility) and there is no Democrat on Question #2 then the Democrats lose FOR SURE. Do you think voters are so dumb as to be unable to separate the two questions?

What the Dems should have done...

HELLO! It's too late for "should have done". We have to focus on what to do in the near future, not what might have been. Yes, Democratic strategy has been an abortion from the moment the recall appeared on the radar screen, but it's not too late to start walking in step in the right direction if we can all agree on what we will accept as an outcome.

The only hope is a March (not October) recall election whgere people have this farce thrown in their face for so long they vote no just to get the damn thing over.

Please answer one more question if you would be so kind: If this last-ditch attempt to get the election postponed until March fails in court, will YOU be voting in the October 7 election?

[kentuck]

7. Yes, let's divide and conquer...

Repubs are so much brighter than Dems...

[samsingh]

11. the bigger picture

is that we need a Dem in office.

Hopefully the recall will be rejected, if not, we need a Democrat to retain the Governership.

[PATRICK]

13. not as bad as it sounds

Just typical warring staffs with a feeler out from B to get the act together. Operating mostly on parallel tracks with some sparks flying, tthe two men are not openly and personally attacking each other?

It's just that the Dems had better unite and do much better.

[joeybee12]

14. Not sure I agree with that...

...because the only press Bustamente is getting is this. They've got less than two months to get their s**t together, and this is not a good start.

That said, Davis is getting good press for "charming" Dems (well, trying to), and supporting domestic partnerships. Now tell me who is the more suave politician? And if by some freak accident Bustamenet gets in, he will serve three years over a really, really, really awful fiscal mess--it ain't gettin' better no matter who gets in. If he can't handle a little squabbling now, how is he gonna deal with that?????????????

[Tinoire]

16. As a Californian, I'm becoming increasingly concerned

Maybe I shouldn't be getting this apprehensive but things are really beginning to bother me. You all know how much I like to dig. I stated a few concerns here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=194312

Not as flamebait- just genuine concern. If I'm being an alarmist, I would appreciate people telling me so.

[0rganism]

17. Perhaps this is Bustamante distancing himself from Davis?

It seems like the Dems are going to have to concede the recall, I can't understand why Davis would want to undercut Bustamante at this point. Davis *apparently* still sees himself as a contender, which is pure folly IMHO.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

18. The Dems, Labor, and Progressive Interests should abandon Davis...

and put all of their energy into Bustamante's campaign! Davis is too far gone at this point. The Dem's can hold the seat as they SHOULD but only if they get tough with their opponents!

[Tinoire]

19. Do you live in CA? Do you have any idea what you're talking about?

What's with the no profile btw?