I'm feeling good about the CA governorship right now

[Gman]

From my viewpoint some 1,200 miles away in Texas, I am feeling pretty good about the Democratic Party holding onto the statehouse in CA. I say this because 1) there doesn't seem to be a viable Republican running. I just don't think people will take Arnold seriously. 2) I think Riordan would have been the biggest threat to the party but now he's out. 3) While Davis may not, and likely not, survive, there are two great candidates in Bustamante and Sanchez running. This is an excellent opportunity to pick up a Democratic Hispanic governorship. 4) I forget the exact number now, but aren't there over 100 people that have signed to get their names on the ballot? Talk about diluting votes.

While the recall is a terrible idea, it has to be dealt with. I think Davis is done but this is a great opportunity for the Democratic Party. Am I correct? Am I reading this wrongly? Whassup?

[Clete]

1. God I hope you are right.

But as a Californian, I am worried about how honest this election is going to be. It is going to be a mess because our precincts and counties really are going to have to rush to get this election set up and I don't think it can come out clean and honest unless a heroic effort is made to do so.

[Demobrat]

2. That scares me too.

I'm afraid that Ahnold is going to be installed no matter what. What's Bill Clinton doing these days, anyway? He likes California.

[Cha]

13. But aren't the Dems in charge for a change? Shouldn't that help

with a Clean counting of the votes?

[Clete]

18. It isn't the counting as much as the rush.

First they have to figure out a ballot with approximately 300 candidates. We were already told in my county that they didn't have time to mail absentee ballots, so that we would have to pick them up at the county offices. This means, shut-ins and Californians not in the state won't be able to vote. Next, many of the precincts can't handle the extra election traffic so many precincts will be in different locations, confusing matters more especially with old people.

Oh yes and many precincts were changing to computer voting and they won't be ready or will be rushed into service, so this could be a problem as Bev Harris knows.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. As a Californian, I'm going to have to disagree with

a couple of points you raised.

Point 1: "There doesn't seem to be a viable Republican running. I just don't think people will take Arnold seriously."

I hate to be the one to disagree but he's got the name recognition AND the "pretty face" (at least some seem to think so -- I'm not one of them). Additionally, the RNC is behind him all the way.

Point 2: "I think Riordan would have been the biggest threat to the party but now he's out."

Actually, Riordon is still in the race, it's Issa who is out. However, I doubt if Riordon will get more votes than Ahnold (see response to Point #1).

[dolstein]

4. Riordin in the race? That's news to me.

I read somewhere that he endrosed Arnold (grudgingly, on presumes). There are a few other Republicans running, like Simon, but probably the biggest challenge would come from Peter Ueberroth, who's a Republican but says he'll run as an independent.

[David__77]

7. Riordan not in race.

He endorsed the Schwarzi.

[Le Taz Hot]

9. Muy bien.

Information about this recall changes literally by the hour. I try to read daily updates but I must have missed this one. I don't know how but I did. :crazy:

Thanks for the correction, you two.

[Cha]

14. I read on DU last night that Riordan dropped out and endorsed

arnie boblarney.

[slackmaster]

5. Oh, you're in Texas, never mind

I thought you had filed your candidacy papers and were feeling good about your prospects for beating the Governator.

[Gman]

22. I thought about it...

might as well, everyone else is jumping in. Are they waiving residency requirements?? :)

[RichM]

6. No, I don't think you're reading it right at all.

First, you're grossly overestimating the "people" as regards their powers of judgement. EVEN ON DU, here this morning, DUers are posting la-la comments about how they like Arnold, they think he will turn out to be a "liberal" or even switch parties. If some DUers are dumb enough to say things like that, what will average Californians think? They'll be just as dumb, or dumber.

IOW, Arnold will probably win. (How did Reagan get elected governor, then president, if the people weren't pretty stupid & easy to manipulate? How is Bushler president, & deemed "popular?")

Second: the dilution of votes from many candidates will have a negative effect. It makes Arnold's chances even better, due solely to celebrity power.

Third, the whole thing will set another destructive precedent, just like the Clinton Impeachment or the Stolen Election of 2000. These things destroy the traditions of serious democracy -- which of course is very much the plan.

[The White Rose]

12. I think you're right,

and as an adopted Californian, it's a big concern. However, I'm more worried about what the Misadministration will get away with under this circus smokescreen.

[David__77]

8. GOP won't win, but...

it will be a fight. This has been a one-sided campaign for months on end--of course the GOP has an advantage now. We have our own campaign at the ready "Bustamante Yes - Recall No" and a lot of forces to support it. Demography does not bode well for a split up GOP field, no matter who it includes.

[Terwilliger]

20. AAAAAAACK!

"Bustamante YES Recall NO"???

That says "VOTE FOR BUSTAMANTE (even though we really dont want Bustamante to win because you're supposed to vote NO on the recall)"

:crazy: :freak: :crazy:

Not meaning to insult, but I think its a BAD strategy.

[CMT]

10. Sanchez is running too?

the more dems running the harder it will be for us to win becuz it splits our votes. don't take Arnold too lightly--in '66 people said the same thing about Ronald Reagan--"how could a has-been movie actor be elected governor?" and he won by a million votes.

[ronnykmarshall]

15. Sanchez is not running.

With "Cruz B the Lt. G" joining the race, Loretta has said she will not run.

[slackmaster]

23. A rare good decision in a sea of mistakes

Good for Sanchez.

[StClone]

11. I don't believe it

California's appear to have abandoned finding real solutions to the overwhelming problems facing the state. They'll vote for Arnold and there will be a slight improvement and things will feel better. Schwartzenegger will be hailed a genius. Reagan is the template for this.

[Cha]

16. I hope to hell that scenario doesn't come true.

[Terwilliger]

17. If the recall goes through, Arnold wins

its as simple as that

the ONLY chance the Democratic party really has is for "NO on recall" to win.

[44wax]

19. Barring a miracle turnout of progressive voters it will be Arnold

Most of the middle class sheeple dislike Davis personally and would vote in Gary Coleman if he was the lone candidate in opposition to the Gov. Many Dems in the valley are easily swayed by "RINO" candidates and Ahnold seems to be Repub lite.

[Randi_Listener]

21. I feel good too.

This is nothing more than hype about a 'Roid Freak Juicehead. It will pass.