Some random thoughts on the CA recall and the future of politics [View All]

[lams712]

I am just a non-Californian, outside observer who wants to get in a few points about this whole recall debacle.

First, I am shocked and dismayed by Californians decision to select a governor of such modest talents (acting, intellectual, and otherwise).

I have no love lost for Gray Davis or any other type of moderate/conservative/DINO-type Democrat. If someone like the late great Paul Wellstone were to get involed in such a recall caper, his supporters would have taken to the streets by the thousands. A bland, wishy-washy moderate is unable to genterate the passion that a true grassroots progressive-type would. Moderate politicans who operate from the right do so at their own risk. That risk being alienating the core constituencies that should be supporting him/her. I remember Gray Davis' 2002 re-election not generating much passion and he barely won against a real right-wing wacko. When the recall movement began there wasn't anyone taking up for Davis' cause.

All of that being said, Gray Davis GOT SCREWED. All of the problems of California, all of the issues and points made by Republicans, etc. were made in NOVEMBER 2002 and DAVIS WON. Davis should NOT have faced a recall unless he was truly CORRUPT, CRIMINAL, or MENTALLY INCAPACITATED, which he was NOT. THE REPUBLICANS ABUSED THE RECALL PROCESS AND GOT AWAY WITH IT.

I also have some sorrow about that state of politics today. Generally, high-tunout elections are supposed to benefit the left/liberals. As I have now seen in Minnesota in 1998 (governor's race), the Minnesota 2002 Senate race and now in the CA recall, the right has won some high turnout elections. I am very saddened and disappointed in the GOTV efforts, NOT because they were poorly executed or anything, but because it seems to me that maybe the people ARE NO LONGER RECEPTIVE TO OUR MESSAGE. I hope I'm wrong, but I fear we will have not only four more years of "W" NO MATTER WHO IS OUR NOMINEE, but the right will control Congress too, not matter how great our GOTV efforts are.