Art Torres - He's The Man

[Composed Thinker]

I just caught the end of "Capital Report" on CNBC. Art Torres, a California Democrat involved with Davis in some way, said that Repuliblicans were going to rue the day that they messed with Davis and that they messed with the state of California. He said that once the information comes out about what Republicans have done, voters will turn against the Republicans. And he listed some good stuff about taxes and schools or what not. He was forceful and well spoken. He's The Man!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Art Torres is great. All of our current party leadership is powerful

Davis has won every office he ran for IIRC. THe state is in trouble but they will now have a 2 month platform to PIN it on the Repubs and Bush. Bush just lost California for 04 as well.

[Composed Thinker]

2. And

And I saw Bob Mulholland, a Democrat from California on "Hardball" last week. He came out swinging. Every Republican was a "bozo"--not all Republicans in the state, just people like Issa and Bill Simon. He had all sorts of facts: that Republicans have lost all major statewide elections, that Jeb Bush announced a budget deficit after he was reelected, that California got fucked over by Republican energy policies, and so on and so forth. He was awesome, even if he was slightly Coulter-ish in his approach.

Anyway, if you can, explain in detail why you think that this will hurt Bush in California in 2004.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Yeah I saw him last week

First of all Ward Connerly is attempting to put another initiative on the ballot to get the racist vote out. The initiative is called "Racial privacy act." Although prior racially divisive initiatives have passed they have created avoc at various institutions and agencies such as hospitals and schools.

The recall election will be a chance for the governor and the Dems to FRAME the energy crisis on THEIR terms. Bill Lockyer has fought to get us a refund and the FERC shortchanged us. They also did not cancel the energy contracts even though there was evidence of fraud. These are items covered in the papers but poorly understood by the general public.

It all goes back to Bush appointees. SO in essence the Bushies will be harmed by having their malfeasance drilled into the heads of Californians a YEAR before the elections.

Hell, we still took the state when every one else was playing the WAR card. The war is a mess now.

Kind of dumb to make everyone focus on politics a year early. In the long run, I think Issa's ego will harm the Republican party. Especially with his past.

[Composed Thinker]

4. I think

I think that, no matter what Republicans elsewhere say, there will be at least two major candidates on the ballot. Even if Issa is not that well known, I think he, or someone else, could get enough votes to hurt the other Republican.

Now, let me see if I have this process straight. They'll vote whether to kick Gray Davis out of office. If they say no, that's the end of it. If they say yes, that means they have to pick a new leader. And since Democrats are standing behind Gray Davis, he will be the only one on the ballot for the Democrats.

Do I have everything down? Or I am I missing something?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. NO.

IF they say YES to recall there will be NO Democrat on the ballot. Davis does NOT get to be on the ballot as if they say YES, they are voting to recall him.
So, from there whoever gets a plurality of votes wins.

A few Du'ers have suggested that we write in Bustamante.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

6. But the important point

is that, just to cover themselves, Dems have to vote for someone, even while saying NO to the recall.

If the Repubs run several candidates they will split their own vote. Dems need to rally behind one. I agree that no Dem may put themself on the ballot, as a sign of solidarity with Davis, but I believe there's no reason we wouldn't all be able to write someone in.

[Composed Thinker]

8. Damn

I knew that. I knew I was messing up one bit of information. So if nobody goes on the ballot for Democrats, Republicans would get it, then. That sucks.

Do you think it will come to that?

And isn't there talk of Bustamante of simpling becoming governor because the seat is vacant?

[RevolutionStartsNow]

11. I don't think he can do that (Bustamante)

The seat won't be left vacant. If Davis is recalled, whoever gets the plurality in the 2nd ballot question wins.

The strategy of not having a Dem on the ballot is being called in some circles a suicide strategy. Kind of all or nothing for the Dems.

The goofiest thing is that the Repubs may run so many candidates that the winner could take it with a tiny percentage. Which is outrageous. It's easy to get on the ballot, and every yahoo with a few bucks is jumping in.

[Composed Thinker]

12. I see

I've been hearing so many things being thrown around lately, so I was curious.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. Apparently in a press conference today that was ruled out

So that is not likely to happen although I read where a group was filing a legal case. I had posted a thread earlier today, wishfully suggesting it (for good cause but apparently not very politically astute to do so)

The ONLY reason I wish the supreme court could get involved and interpret the constitution to mean that is that I don't see what can stop any billionaire from financing a recall and pulling this over and over.

[JackSwift]

7. I know Sen. Torres and Bob Holland

Torres is the genius behind leading the California to being the undisputed majority party. Mulholland is a PR pit bull. Personally he is the extreme opposite of Torres socially. Torres is self-effacing, sociable, etc. Mulholland is an egomaniacal jerk, a Carville light. I don't like him, but I'm glad he's on our team.

[Composed Thinker]

9. What

What did Torres do that was so great? (I'm not doubting you; I'm just curious.)

[JackSwift]

10. I'm just giving a little color background

Art is the kind of guy you would love to have a BBQ and a beer with, if you felt worthy of his company, which I don't. We had 16 years of Republican governors, and even two years of a Rep Assembly while things stood at the brink. The state party was divided, and Art took the helm (and yes, you can call him Art, but I always call him Senator first). The internal divisions were vastly reduced (the rural Dems are less than pleased, but they don't deliver their countries frankly), and he kept his particular opinions out of his chairing and leadership and moved the agenda along. He raised money, settled old disputes. I was a county chair and state exec committee member during Arts first term (maybe it was second). He was available to come to fund raisers and speak, and he spoke about organizing. When he runs a meeting, he moves things along. From a state that could go either way, we are now a solid Democratic state. The party is in good condition, and our opponents are worse than dead in the water. The recall may succeed, but the Republican party loses in the long run if the recall succeeds. If it fails, they lose in the short run and long run. The recall is the Cal Rep death rattle.