Republicans' California Nightmare: A Green Governor!

[FlashHarry]

Ok, hear me out: You can't run a Dem, because it would undercut the party and legitimatize the recall. But, as it only requires a plurality of votes to win, there is actually a chance that a Green candidate might gain the governorship––especially if several repukes run, splitting the vote.

Now, in my humble opinion, that would be the ultimate f*ck you to Darrell Issa and Karl Rove. Whadda ya think?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Not if I can help it. Camejo supported the recall

I won't reward him with my vote. I will write in Bustamante. If the Greens wish to live down the ire they get for Florida, this is not the way to do it. Let them win in a general election with a majority, the way one is supposed to take office.

[FlashHarry]

4. I never thought I'd even suggest it.

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Dem, still smarting from the Nader betrayal of '00. I'm just trying to make a purse out of a sow's ear, that's all.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. I'm open to Greens taking office

but if one considers the Repub money spent in Seattle on a Green candidate to divide the Dem vote, the Florida debacle, and now California where Camejo hopes to take office by unseating a legitimately elected governor with the aid of a Republican millionaire, then I think the Green party needs to realize that those of us who are more moderate and appreciative in our approach to the Greens will regard them as nothing more than tools.

[Clete]

7. My thoughts about the Greens.

I am an environmentalist who loved living in the forest, which I can't anymore, but I am as close to nature now as my circumstances permit. I am also a socialist, so you can imagine that the Green platform appeals to me.

However, I don't like the way the Green Party is being run and the divisivness it has caused to progressives. However, if there is only a choice between a Republican and a Republican ass kissing Green, the Green will win out.

I really think we need to start addressing Green issues in the Democratic Party and pay less attention to the DLC agenda. Apparently there will be Democratic candidates running as there are rumors going around of some who might put their hat in the ring. In this case, I think Bustamante will probably decide to run as well.

[Terwilliger]

10. The "ire" they get for Florida is hysterical Democrat blame-game

Camejo supports the recall because people in this state don't like Davis, and recall is a constitutional law.

Gray Davis pushed legislation that would have removed driver's licences for a SIMPLE marijuana infraction (any infraction, not driving while intoxicated). Davis can swim in his own soup.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. Actually that rule was already in place because of a federal highway

funding law that connects the two. It happened under Wilson not Davis. You are misinformed.

[Terwilliger]

17. here

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n702/a01.html?1291

<snip>

The ``smoke a joint, lose your license'' mandate was devised by the Bush administration as an attack on California's marijuana decriminalization law under which possession of less than an ounce is deemed an infraction rather than a misdemeanor. To this day, the feds withhold transportation funds from states that refuse to take driver's licenses from drug offenders, regardless of whether the drug offense has any relationship to operating a vehicle. States that don't wish to abide by the mandate can ``opt out'' with the signature of the governor. Thirty-two states, including every state west of Texas, have taken advantage of the ``opt out'' option. Despite polls showing that two-thirds of Californians disagreed with him, former Gov. Pete Wilson chose to support the Bush mandate. That Wilson law is due to expire in July 2000.

Now, to the shock of many of those who supported his bid for high office, Gov. Davis has made it clear that he wants the Wilson policy extended. This is despite the fact that California will be forced to continue spending millions processing minor pot offenders, whose charges would otherwise be dismissed with a ticket, to come back to court in order to defend their licenses. It is despite the fact that the law Davis supports, AB 2295, would make it a worse offense to have a joint in your pocket or purse at home than to be caught speeding, driving recklessly, or with an open liquor container in your car.

<snip>

[Clete]

2. I thought so but

others disagreed with my post on the matter. A revenge election choice I guess isn't the best way to do things. Also, it seems there might be some Democrats thinking of running.

[ronnykmarshall]

3. I'd laugh my ass off!

[Pallas180]

6. Yeah. Let Nader go run in California.

.

[Clete]

8. Nadar really is a Republican.

He used the Greens as a platform for his agenda.

[Terwilliger]

11. you're not very consistent Clete

and using the word "Nadar" is very reminiscent of "Bill KKKlintoon"

[Clete]

16. Sorry T.

Mispelled the name. No offense meant. Why am I inconsistent if I agree with much (not all)of the Green Party platform in many ways and yet think Nader is a political opportunist? I really don't like how he is using you.

[Terwilliger]

18. moreover

I don't like rampant Freeperism. Nader is simply a focus for the ire of Democrats who can't seem to blame any of their own problems on themselves.

[Clete]

19. So now I'm a Freeper?

Last week a freeper called me a commie liberal. Go figure.

[Iverson]

9. I thought you were asking a serious question.

It appears to have been answered as just another opportunity to dump on Greens by Democrats who prefer to work with Republicans.

Obviously, Republicans wouldn't like a Green governor, as that would be an agenda far less similar than is the agenda of the other major party for which "bipartisanship" is a working model.

[David__77]

14. My model of "bipartisanship."

I would much prefer California by a two party system between the Democrats and the Greens, or a 3-party system with those plus the Peace & Freedom. The whole ideo-political spectrum indeed should shift. I think plenty of Democrats agree with this. The question is to neutralize the GOP now. Defeating this recall is a good part of a strategy to do so, I believe--in addition to removing the 2/3rd requirement for state budget.

[David__77]

13. This depends on events unfolding...

If the Democratic DO NOT either run a candidate or recommend a write-in for a specific candidate, I certainly would vote for the most progressive of the ballot candidates, while opposing the recall. This doesn't automatically exclude Camejo, though I can't help but think him a crass opportunist.

[FlashHarry]

15. Actually, I meant literally 'Green"

If Schwartzenegger can, why not Ferigno?

[annagull]

20. Maybe Tim Robbins would run--isn't he a Green?

That would be cool--the REAL Bob Roberts!!