What if THIS happens in the California recall?

[Brotherjohn]

40% say "No Recall". In effect, they vote for Davis.

But since 60% said "Recall", it goes to the laundry list of candidates, right?

Say 30% pick Arnie, 25% pick the Lt. Governor, 20% pick Huffington, 10% pick Riordan, 10% pick Simon, 1% pick Coleman (gotta give props to the man!), and 4% pick "other".

That means more people chose Davis than any other candidate, yet he loses office.

This brings to bear the point that if there's going to be a recall, it should stand on it's own merits as a choice (yea or nay), and not be lumped on the same ballot with umpteen candidates. This, in effect, makes it not a recall at all, but a free-for-all election of Davis against everybody and their mother. It makes it not a choice to recall or not, but re-running the election with many more candidates. You can tell people all you want to consider the first question (to recall or not) on its own merits, but the fact of the matter is that they are going to see Arianna or Arnold or Coleman or whoever and think "Hey, wouldn't it be neat if they were our governor?"

If it should be happening at all, the election should be about the issue of the recall alone, and not about personalities.

It's a circus out there. I'm just glad it's not here in Florida again. Wait a minute, on second thought... Recall Jeb!!

[Terwilliger]

1. props to who...Coleman?

He's a Repuke twit who loves AHH-nold and thinks Davis should "pack hisw bags" and he's going to leave his name on the ballot anyway even though he's not serious about running. Fuck Coleman.

[Terwilliger]

2. also...what we have here is the way it is

If the vote was the recall alone then you'd have no one to replace him should he lose. It's just a circus, but there's little to do about it.

I'm thinking Californians should adopt a JUST SAY NO policy, myself.

[SoCalDem]

14. Not so.. We ELECTED a Lieutenant Gov

whose job it is, to act as governor if the governor cannot..

If they truly wanted a recall that was fair, they would vote NOW to recall, and have Cruz act as Gov until the next regular election, in which he could run for re-affirmation, against regular candidates..

This nonsense of upsetting the apple cart because a rich guy got his panties in a twist is NONSENSE..

and if anyone really thinks that * & the gang have no part in this, they are NUTS !!

As soon as Davis was re-elected, they released the "hounds" to see if there was any way they could un-do the election.. Sadly, it only took them a few months to figure out a way..

Legislation in the future must be more carefully crafted, because these freaks use microscopes to find loopholes..

They will take office...and I DO mean TAKE... by any means at hand.:(

[meow2u3]

15. In short, the best way to keep a Repuke out of Sacramento....

....is for Gray Davis to resign, preferably shortly before the recall election, thus moving the lieutenant governor up to the governor's position. If Davis resigns, the recall is off, and Repukes will have wasted millions of (taxpayer) dollars on nothing!

[SoCalDem]

17. Not really.. the "loophole" effect won't allow it..

Davis would have had to have resigned BEFORE the recall signatures were verified and accepted..

The way the stupid law is written, EVEN if Davis died or resigned, and Cruz ascended to the governor's position, the damned recall would CONTINUE....

The whole office of lieutenant Gov was made inconsequential by the recall provision..

THAT is what the legal fight should have been about.. :(

[Brotherjohn]

6. Just kidding. Really giving props to '70s nostalgia.

Coleman wouldn't even stand a chance if he were running alone against Davis.

[Brian Sweat]

7. Gary Coleman is a Republican?

[slackmaster]

3. Davis is ineligible if he's recalled

He tried to challenge that in the state Supreme Court last week, essentially using the argument you have presented, and they blew him off.

[Robin Hood]

19. A repuke state supreme court.

to be exact. But I'm sure that politics has no bearing on the decision making process of our supremos. :eyes:

[rogerashton]

4. That's right.

it will almost certainly end by giving the office to the candidate who got fewer votes. Like the 2000 Presidential election.

Why is that a surprise? "This is a republic, not a democracy," and the Reporklican Party intends to keep it that way.

[stoystown]

5. One Word:

GALLAGHER!!!!

[rock]

8. I believe you put your finger on a weakness of such an approach.

I generally disagree with the concept of a recall on management principles: you force the office-holder to make even shorter-term decisions than he otherwise would have (had he had a full tenure). Short-term decisions lead to long-term problems.

[Mairead]

10. I think that only works if we presume the person is inclined to

take good decisions. Imagine Smirk having a 12-year term. Imagine our being able to recall Smirk. Which will give the better result for us?

[AP]

9. This is an EXCELLENT point.

Excellent point.

[Mairead]

11. "Wait a minute, on second thought... Recall Jeb!!"

Exactly. Recall can be abused, but in general it is a Good Thing. The more democracy, the better.

[Brotherjohn]

13. There is an opportunity to recall. It's called the next election.

nt

[Mairead]

20. Oh, absolutely...all we have to hope is that

there'll be something left when that time rolls around.

[Clete]

12. Who was smoking what when that law was passed?

I said this on another post, but it's appropriate here.

[SoCalDem]

18. It was passed many years ago, and forgotten , until.......

the repubes "found" it..:(

[alarimer]

16. seems crazy

I don't get it either; it does seem as if those 40% are disenfranchised but I think they do get to vote for a replacement so maybe not. Still there has to be a better way.