California Politics:
California Gov. Davis Faces Recall Fight
URL:http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,90684,00.html
Saturday, June 28, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Recall or resign -- those are the two choices opponents of California Gov. Gray Davis (search) are giving the Democrat as they continue to gather signatures and support for his ousting.
So far, Davis insists he won't step down -- recall or not. And while many big-name California Democrats say they aren't interested in the governor's job, they could feasibly have a shot if a recall election (search) is eventually held.
Davis was elected in a landslide in 1998, but his approval rating tumbled to 28 percent amid voter wrath over the state's energy and budget crises. He narrowly beat Republican opponent Bill Simon in his re-election effort last year.
"His support is evaporating," said Republican political consultant Sal Russo. "He just doesn't have the support that he's had as an incumbent governor."
The idea for a recall was raised by Republican activists after Davis' re-election victory. Proponents say Davis has mismanaged the state and lied to voters about the size of the budget deficit, projected to be as much as $38.2 billion by July 2004.
Rep. Darrell Issa (search), a Republican lawmaker representing Vista, Calif., has poured $1 million into the "Rescue California" effort to recall Davis. The goal is to gather the needed 900,000 valid signatures to put the recall on the ballot.
Recall campaigns have been attempted 31 times against California governors but none have made it to the ballot. Few Republican activists thought the latest effort would get so far.
Davis allies recently formed a committee and raised nearly $800,000 to fight it; supporters say they're prepared to spend up to $4 million.
"The people behind the campaign to recall Davis wear their partisan motives right out on their sleeves. An election was held. They lost, and now they want a 'do-over,'" Dan Terry, president of the California Professional Firefighters and who is heading the campaign supporting Davis, told the San Jose Mercury News.
Davis himself has begun speaking out against the recall campaign.
"It will move us backwards and cost the taxpayers $30 million," he recently told The Associated Press, referring to the projected cost of a special election. "It's just a bunch of affluent losers who are trying to spend money to throw this state into reverse."
As of Friday, recall campaign backers said they have collected nearly 900,000 signatures and plan a victory celebration on July 4 in Orange County, reported the Orange County Register.
"Darrell Issa supplied the fuel necessary. Now the rest is just mechanical," said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican consultant. "It's not a matter of if, it's just a matter of when. And it's going to be a wild ride."
Issa, a car alarm magnate from the San Diego area who has set up a gubernatorial campaign committee, denies that he is funding the recall just to forward his own political ambitions, but has said, "I'd be very interested in being governor. I've made that clear."
Democrats who are increasingly worried about the recall said Issa's cash infusion looks like political opportunism by a man too inexperienced to be governor.
"He is someone who wants a position," said Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif.
Recall supporters have until Sept. 2 to collect nearly 900,000 signatures to get the measure on the ballot. They hope to complete the process next month to force a special election this fall instead of next March, when Democrats will turn out for the state's presidential primary.
California Democrats like U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer continue to oppose a recall, but could potentially join Republicans like movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger and Issa on the ballot if a recall vote is held.
"I'm doing my utmost to see that this recall is not successful," Feinstein said. "I believe it's one of the worst things that could happen to the state of California."
"Let me remove all doubt in anyone's mind about the total commitment California Democrats have to defeating this recall and to retaining Gov. Davis as the governor of California," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Many Republicans fear the recall could backfire and leave them worse off in a state where Democrats already control every statewide office and both houses of the state legislature.
If Davis resigns before 900,000 signatures can be certified, then Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante gets the job and the Democrats keep control of Sacramento's top political spot. However, that situation could end up in court, said election expert Richard Hasson, and a judge could likely have to decide when and if a governor under recall is allowed to resign and hand the job over.
"The California election law is not entirely clear on what it means for the recall petitions to be filed," Hasson said.
Recall campaign workers say they will continue to collect signatures through the holiday weekend, and will submit the documents to election officials as early as July 7.
"The bottom line is we're just about there," David Gilliard, a consultant to the campaign, told the Register.
But Davis political spokesman Roger Salazar was skeptical.
"They claim to have this huge surge but it took a couple of months to get to 380,000 signatures," he told the Register. "Whatever numbers they are using now are absolutely inflated. Don't believe all the hype."
Fox News' Adam Housley and The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
