Feinstein rules out recall run

[Freddie Stubbs]

U. S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday said she would not be a candidate to replace Gov. Gray Davis if California voters recall the governor in an Oct. 7 special election.

Ms. Feinstein had been urged to put her name on the ballot by some Democrats who said they feared Mr. Davis would not win the recall and a Republican could be elected in his place.

"I'm very flattered," the senator says in a written statement issued Wednesday morning. "After thinking very deeply about the recall ... I will not place my name on the ballot."

But even with Ms. Feinstein not on the ballot, voters could have a large number of would-be governors to choose from.

more: http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/08/04/daily32.html

[Jack Rabbit]

1. This is unfortunate

Feinstein was the one potential replacement candidate that most of those who oppose the recalll and many who support it could agree would make an acceptable governor. All polls had her blowing away the rest of the field. If Davis is recalled, which looks too likely for comfort, she would certainly have taken his place.

It is also a fallacy to say that a strong Democarat in the race would necessarily doom Davis. On the contrary, a strong Democrat who would almost certainly become governor if Davis loses the recall question would be in the best position to acticulate the reasons why the recall should be defeated.

Instead, the Democratic Party's leaders -- so-called -- are going ahead wioth a dreadful strategy. That is:

• Don't give the voters a choice among Democrats and just hope no attractive moderate Republican, independent or even competent Green runs;
• Run a campaign against the replacement field that so negative that is sure to make voters sick;
Tell people that Davis, whose approval ratings are in the twneties, is really a good governor and hope enough people who think otherwise change their minds;
• Send Davis himself out to deliver the message that recall should be for nothing less than malfeasance, which, while a good point, will look like pandering.

Lotsa luck, guys.

[searchingforlight]

2. We need Feinstein where she is.

Sheis a strong voice in the Senate and will win again when she runs. Dems like that are more important to our cause than govenors.

[jos]

4. Strong voice for what?

She a DLCer whose most recent misadventure is pushing for school vouchers. I'd rather see her as Governor and have a real Democrat appointed to the Senate.

[joefree1]

6. Uh yeah, thanks a lot

We gotta enough a**holes here trying to ruin the public school systems as it is. I like her a lot better in Washington.

All wimpy Democrats and slimeball rethuglicans out of California!




http://stoptherecall.com

[4_Legs_Good]

11. Agreed 100%

I have never liked Feinstein. Plus, I don't know why she would leave her cooshy job in DC to come here and deal with this mess anyway. Plus she's lost the Governor's race before (though granted, she'd probably win now).

No, I think our best hope is to support a real progressive her in California if the Gubinator should be recalled. Personally, I'm not a fan of the recall, but I'm also not a fan of Davis.

Worst case scenario Rierdon becomes governor. Would that be so bad?

david

[twilight]

18. you got that right!!!!!

I am no fan of Dianne's myself. It a hold the nose and vote for me. I lived in San Francisco (a fifth generation native) and was absolutely APPALED at the way she handled the City! When she was ousted at long last (*whew*) there was $4 million 'missing' ...

No loss on any level and she is too old besides .... in her 70s by now - this woman has been around TOO long for me!

:dem:

[KamaAina]

22. Yes, it would be so bad

Worst case scenario Rierdon becomes governor. Would that be so bad?

Not just the governor's desk (and the veto pen). ALL the state department heads, Repuke appointees. Every wo/man jack of 'em in a feeding frenzy to cut services to the bone, rather than raise taxes by one red cent on the poor, put-upon rich. </sarcasm>

Plus the idea that there'd be NO state, not ONE, without a Repuke in statewide office. It'd leave me without so much as a place to change planes if I ever considered coming back!!

[joefree1]

3. Not

This recall is a $60 million plus train wreck. With over three hundred candidates running for Governor all challengers will look sleazy. Riorden and Arnold are hoping the other guy will run so they don't have too.

It's gonna be a dirty bloody fight with the rethuglicans getting beaten up.




http://stoptherecall.com

edit: "THREE HUNDRED CANDIDATES"

[shanti]

13. this will put the nail in california's coffin

i'm sure of it. they set out to destroy our state and they are accomplishing this. where do people think this 60 mil is coming from?? does anyone realize what the effect of this will have on services to california's citizens??

this whole mess sickens me....:-(

[twilight]

19. maybe I'll be candidate #601

They are expecting 600 candidates ... maybe I raise the $3500 bucks and run myself! :D

I agree ... it is a waste of money that could be spent on assistance to the BLIND, THE ELDERLY, AND THE DISABLED which was hacked from the current budget that was just signed! :grr: What are persons in this position supposed to do might I query?

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

:dem:

[meti57b]

5. We need to have a back-up candidate!!!

Keeping the governor's office in Democratic hands is too important and more important than personal loyalties or party loyalties to an individual. Perhaps if Davis' poll numbers were a whole lot better than they are this strategy of not running a candidate would be okay, but his poll numbers are bad and getting worse.

McAuliffe needs to ask someone to run. As of right now, he's leading us to disaster! Does McAuliffe really have any sense? Or is he refusing to face reality.

[joefree1]

7. We already have one, Lt. Gov. Bustamante

Get some cohonas. If the polls go against him Gray Davis can resign and Bustamante becomes Governor.

No wimps.



http://stoptherecall.com

[Jack Rabbit]

8. That more wrong than correct

The recall will go forward. If the Yes votes carry, the winner of the replacement election becomes governor.

Bustamante will fill in as acting governor between the time Davis resigns and the replacement is sworn in.

[4_Legs_Good]

9. Unfortunately, not true

Actually, as I understand it (and I had the same idea you did, but have since heard otherwise from several knowing sources) that the moment the Recall election date was set, whomever is Governor after the election will lose his/her job if the Governor is recalled and will be replaced with whomever has the largest number of votes in the election.

Otherwise, it would have been great fun to let Issa, Rierdon, Simon and Schwartzenegger spend all their $ on a big fat campaign, and then to resign at the last minute. Heh heh heh.

What he could do is in the 11th hour endorse someone else.

david

[meti57b]

10. get some yourself along with some facts.

Davis would have had to resign before the recall was certified for Bustamante to automatically become governor. Now, Bustamante becoming governor depends on a long-shot legal challenge.

[joefree1]

14. Got the facts wrong but cahonas still firmly in place

You're right, I checked it out, once the recall is on Davis resigning won't give Bustamante the Governorship. CNN reported it wrong.

So it's all or nothing. I'm still backing the Democratic Governor we elected last year.

Huffington is running as an independent so if you like her then you're posting in the wrong group.




http://stoptherecall.com

[4_Legs_Good]

20. "d" or "D"

I thought this was a group for mostly progressive thinkers, e.g. little "d" democrats not big "D" ones, necessarily.

If "D"ean decided to run Independent, would all the Deanies have to run to some other board?

Anti-Recall/Pro-Arriana

david

Kucinich 2004

[slackmaster]

16. Bustamante's name (or someone's) MUST appear on the ballot

Otherwise he will serve only until the results of the October 7 recall are final and the replacement is sworn in.

[4_Legs_Good]

12. *cough*

*cough* *cough* Huffington *cough* *cough*

[joefree1]

15. "Chaos" great opportunity for Brentwood pundit?

Los Angeles-AP -- Another well-known figure is in the race for California governor.Political commentator Arianna Huffington announced this morning on N-B-C's "Today Show" that she will run in October's recall election against Democrat Gray Davis. She'll be on the ballot as an independent.

Huffington says the "chaos" of the recall provides an "incredible opportunity to focus on the real problems of California."
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=1391147

[slackmaster]

17. I don't always agree with DiFi, but I can never fault her on brains

Smart woman!

[joeybee12]

21. Took her long enough!

Did you read her statement about the Nazi's recall? NOTHING she said was novel, nor could it NOT have been said weeks ago! Leave it to Diane to make it all about her--notice she referred to herself as the state's SENIOR Senator--both she and Boxer were first elected on the same friggin' night!