The California Democratic Party is NOT currently supporting Cruz!

[Democat]

I was talking to some people today and I found out something shocking. It seems that the California Democratic Party is not currently taking a position on Cruz Bustamante's candidacy in the recall. They are only supporting Davis and trying to help Davis stop the recall. They aren't supporting Cruz or encouraging people to vote for Cruz. In fact, it is apparently their current position that the California Democratic Party get out the vote drive will focus only on saving Davis, not on getting Cruz elected.

This is outrageous!

There is only one major Democrat in the race, and Davis is very likely going to lose, but the state Democratic Party is not (yet) endorsing the one strong Democratic candidate on the ballot.

Everyone from DU should consider calling the California Democratic Party and let them know that they need to support a "No on recall, Yes on Cruz" platform. It is the strategy that gives us the best chance of winning, and maybe the only strategy that gives us any chance of winning.

Sacramento Office
1401 21st Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, California 95814
[phone] phone
[phone] fax

Los Angeles Office
888 S. Figueroa Street, 4th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
[phone] phone
[phone] fax

Many of us are angry because the media won't give Cruz a chance to be heard, and it turns out that our own party isn't even endorsing him at this time.

Maybe this is just because it's so early in the race, but there is no time to lose. The election is in two months. We must get Cruz's campaign moving if we are going to win this.

Please consider contacting the California Democratic Party and let them know what you think.

Pass this information on to other Democrats you know too.

[slackmaster]

1. You're damn straight it's outrageous

If the CDP doesn't show some leadership they can kiss this one goodbye.

Phone, here I come.

[rucky]

2. Recall: NO Bustamente: SI

That's all the Democrats need to know.

[joeybee12]

3. The whole handling by the Dems has reeked

Now that Bustament is in, perhaps they should support him. I'm not sure, I think it might in fact confuse the issue. Besides, in a recent poll he's only at about 10-15% of the vote--not enough to beat Arnold. I think the strategy from day one should have been to brand the recall as a Nazi power grab. Now, they have to play on the Rethugs' turf, and they don't know how to respond--as usual!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. Let's be honest here!!!

Davis is through!!! At this time we should back Cruz Bustamante! We should move into full campaign mode, NOW!!!!!
Cruz is the alternative to Grey!!!

[shance]

5. I say HOLD on Bustamante - FOCUS ON RECALL

What ethics and courtesy and restraint has he shown other than to impulsively jump in there after Feinstein said no.

In my opinion, those that truly care about the Democratic party care about the WRONGNESS of this recall and will make that their focus. The more we focus on externals and Bustamontes questionably opportunistic jump into the ring, the more it weakens all of us as Democrats.

[twilight]

6. Gray Davis has some tricks left don't worry

After hearing that the unions like AFSCME (which I am a member of) are backing Davis 100% I knew this was good.

I was absolutely STUNNED to receive in the mail today my health insurance info. from the State for next year. I was expecting the worst considering how thing have been going.

Much to my amazement, I will actually start receiving a pension check again next year! Thank you AFSCME for the hard-line negotiating and thank you Gray Davis for going along with the health plans for next year. It will put about an extra $120.00 a month in my pocket! I won't be paying them anymore and forfeiting my pension as I've done for the past 2 years now.

What might be next I wonder? The VLFs seem trite compared to the health insurance fiasco!

A round won by the unions in California and Gray Davis and no one else! This will make many State employees that aren't making a whole lot of $ VERY happy! :D

:kick:

[donco6]

7. Cruz was on Today with Davis this a.m.

Explained why Cruz entered the race after all. Insurance against a loss on the overturn of the recall.

Davis and spouse were right there with him.

[papau]

8. Cruz is not "supporting Cruz" - wants a no vote on recall -- But if recall

loses, Cruz, and the Dem party, support Cruz.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Curz is making perfect sense

There are two issues on the ballot. He has a two-part message addressing each one:

1. There is no jusitifcation for recalling Governor Davis; Californians should vote No.
2. The best qualified of the replacement candidates is Cruz Bustamante; Californians should vote for him.

There is no contradiction in this message.

[MoonGod]

10. Absolutely.

Recall: No
Cruz: Yes

It's a very clear message and there's no contradiction.

I saw Davis say today that he's "going to focus on doing job as governor"...

I'm wondering if the strategy might wind up being to let Cruz campaign both on his own behalf and against the recall, thereby elminating the stigma of Davis as a "pay-to-play big-spending politician"... and instead painting him as somebody who is focusing hard on his very difficult job that steroid-boy couldn't possibly handle.

If it's not the strategy, it might be a good idea. It could very well save Davis, and set up Cruz for a solid run in '06.

All that said, I'm still kinda disappointed that Cruz threw his hat in the ring. Not because I support the recall or because I support the idea that all that matters is voting against the recall... I just can't get very excited about yet another DLCer as Gov...