Davis and CA marks of VRWC

[Rose Siding]

Because CA has 54 electoral votes.

The first assault, the "energy crises", perpetrated by repub campaign contributors, might be easier to unravel with a peek at records of the Cheney "energy task force" documents. Maybe not but the new Bush admin sure turned a cold shoulder to CA when asked for help.

Davis fought them and won:

Energy producer settles price-gouging suit with California

http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2002/11/12/build/energy/wst-energy.php?nnn=5

Twice:

Gas company settles suit
El Paso to pay $1.69 billion for manipulating market

http://www.redding.com/news/state/past/20030321state053.shtml

Does anyone think a repub governor will pick up that fight? I suspect it's more likely we'll never hear of it again.

Then there's another energy battle in which Davis has become engaged:

California raises the bar on emission standards

California Governor Gray Davis signed new legislation on July 23 that aims to reduce greenhouse gases through tougher auto standards. While the law remains vague on exactly how such reductions will be accomplished, it mandates that the California Air Resources Board develop a plan by 2005 for the "maximum feasible reduction" in tailpipe emissions from cars and light-duty trucks.

California is the only state not bound by the federal Clean Air Act because it enacted its clean air laws before the federal statute was passed. That means California is allowed to set state standards that surpass federal regulations. Other states can then opt for the California standard instead of the federal.

http://salt.claretianpubs.org/washweek/2002/08/is0208c.html

That ticked off the car manufactures, the oil companies and GW Bush.

Automakers, Bush fight state emission proposal

http://www.redding.com/news/state/past/20030214topstate083.shtml

What do you suppose will happen in that lawsuit if Davis is ousted?

He has made more enemies in high places, some of them contributors:

Davis backs labor on farm bills

http://www.cfbf.com/agalert/2002/100202_a_aa.html

But not everone was mad at him for that:

Thank Governor Davis for signing legislation aiding the state's 'poorest and most abused workers'

http://www.unionvoice.org/alert-description.tcl?alert_id=3978

The negatives that are being talked about now that might matter if there were no Bush economy to deal with, education funding being the most important to my way of thinking, is a result of repub obstructionsists in the CA legislature. (They're obligated to protect repub contributors from temporary emergency tax increases)

He's even being blamed for a hike in car registration that was an automatic increase once the CA deficit reached a certain level (as I understand it- I'd be grateful for any correction on that)

There are two other criticisms of which I'm aware. The first being his ability to raise money for campaigning. And the other is that he is cold and unaffable.

I hope for the time when money is taken out of the equation in politics but we aren't there yet. We do know, experientially on a national level, what happens when the guy Chris Matthews wants to have a beer with wins.

And just for giggles, how many counties in CA have touch screen voting machines?

Alameda County, California
Kern County, California
Los Angeles County, California
Marin County, California
Modoc County, California
Plumas County, California
San Diego County, California
San Joaquin County, California
Solano County, California
Tulare County, California

[bahrbearian]

1. Repugs don't care about the Facts

they just want to have Fun Oh' and a few Hummers in every Garage!

[Mel]

2. take it one step further

lookie at this.......it's bigger than just California

Statement of Senator Orrin G. Hatch
Before the United States Senate
On the “Equal Opportunity to Govern” Constitutional Amendment
July 10, 2003

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the “Equal Opportunity to Govern” Amendment, which would amend the Constitution to permit any person who has been a United States citizen for at least 20 years to be eligible for the Office of President. The Constitution, in its current form, prohibits a person who is not a native born citizen of the United States from becoming President.

The purpose of the native born citizen requirement has long passed, and it is time for us – the elected representatives of this nation of immigrants -- to remove this impediment. While there was scant debate on this provision during the Constitutional Convention, it is apparent that the decision to include the natural born citizen requirement in our Constitution was driven largely by the concern that a European monarch, such as King George III’s second son, the Duke of York, might be imported to rule the United States.

This restriction has become an anachronism that is decidedly un-American. Consistent with our democratic form of government, our citizens should have every opportunity to choose their leaders free of unreasonable limitations. Indeed, no similar restriction bars other critical members of government, including the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, or the President’s most trusted cabinet officials.

Mr. President, ours is a nation of immigrants. The history of the United States is replete with scores of great and patriotic Americans whose dedication to this country is beyond reproach, but who happen to have been born outside of Her borders. These include former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and Madeline Albright; current Cabinet members Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez; as well as Jennifer Granholm, the Governor of Michigan and bright young star of the Democratic party. As our Constitution reads today, none of these well-qualified, patriotic United States citizens could be a lawful candidate for President.
Perhaps most disturbing is that the scores of foreign-born men and women who have risked their lives defending the freedoms and liberties of this great nation who remain ineligible for the Office of President. More than 700 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor – our nation’s highest decoration for valor – have been immigrants. But no matter how great their sacrifice, leadership, or love for this country, they remain ineligible to be a candidate for President. This amendment would remove this unfounded inequity.
Today I ask the members of this body if we desire to continue to invite these brave men and women to defend this nation’s liberty, to protect Her flag, to be willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice, and yet deny them the opportunity to strive for the ultimate American dream - to become our President? I respectfully submit that we should not.
My proposal to amend the Constitution is not one I take lightly. As our founding fathers envisioned, our Constitution has stood the test of time. It has remained largely intact for more than 200 years due to the careful, deliberative, and principled approach of the framers. This is truly an extraordinary achievement. On a few appropriate occasions, however, we have generated the will to surmount the cumbersome, but no doubt necessary, hurdles to amend the Constitution. I believe the time has now come to address the antiquated provision of the Constitution that requires our President to be a natural born citizen. It has long outlived its original purpose.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Equal Opportunity to Govern Amendment.
I yield the floor.

and the VRWC continues.....they are looking for Arnold Schwarzenegger
to be their 'Raygun Redux'

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. You are absolutely right...

this has always been about breaking a Democratic Gov. (and potential Presidential candidate, remember that?) and installing a GOPer into the office so GW can campaign in CA and win (steal?) our electoral votes in 2004

Arnie's ambition from the beginning has been to run for President somehow.

That ambition needs to end right here in CA.

[Rose Siding]

4. They pulled out the biggest guns they had against Davis

Big energy, big oil, gas, and now the loudest, most glamorous distraction of all.

Why would they use such spectacular tactics? Davis has been a formidable opponent. He has waged the important battles.

The Dems need to throw some sizzle behind Davis -whatever it takes.

[Atlant]

5. Kick (NT)

[Rose Siding]

6. Thanks!

:kick:

[Atlant]

9. You're welcome. (NT)

[jiacinto]

7. 55 electoral votes

nt

[jiacinto]

8. Well

The VWRC clearly had its sight on this effort. Sometimes I wish the left could be that organized.

[Rose Siding]

11. Then it wouldn't be "the left"

A small cabal of wealthy, power hungry businessmen do not the left make.

[shanti]

10. yes, the electronic voting machines in cali!

thank you for bringing this up, i was ready to start a new thread about this. i am VERY worried that they will "fix" these machines this time here.