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Maybe this is a huge blessing in disguise. It could mark the beginning of the end of our two-party system.
Davis has been abysmal as a governor, but the recall is clearly a right-wing agenda. It wouldn't have happened without the money of Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, himself a pretender to the throne, until recently. He's the guy who made millions selling car alarms after amassing a police record breaking into them. Republicans wanted disruption. They got it. Now any nutcase with $3,500 and enough friends has as good a chance as anybody. The recall and "election election" could signify the start of another American Revolution. At a Rolling Stones concert commemorating the start of the American Bicentennial on July 4, 1975, Mick ended the concert in Memphis by saying, "Congratulations on the anniversary of your revolution, America, and good luck on your next one."
The scary or beautiful thing about it all, depending on the outcome, is that it only takes a plurality to win the election for governor, if the recall is successful. That's why it's an election election.
If Arnold actually does win, the upside will be that he can't make any more bad movies for a while. Oh, dear G-d, I pray for the welfare and future of our state. The Terminator as governor? Something tells me he would bring the worst of Reagan and the Bushes without the compassionate stuff. He might not even know or understand the disingenuous plans his Republican "handlers" have in store for him. After all, where is the Republican agenda heading, regardless of whom is at the helm? Compassion and sharing? I don't think so.
So Feinstein is out and Bustamante is in. That means thoughtful people now have a real tough decision to make as to whether to roll the dice with Davis or vote one's conscience.
The two party system is in need of a shake-up. It is obsolete as a means of picking dynamic candidates, particularly since campaign reform, as we understand the need, will never happen under the current crop. Both sides are shamelessly wedded to many of the same corporate interests. Jon Stewart [of "The Daily Show"] noted in an interview that Joseph Leiberman's support comes from people for whom Bush isn't Jewish enough. Spencer Tracy's worn out line about the lowest common denominator is worn out because it's so true.
I've argued before that a parliamentary-style election might do us some good. Once again, California is in the forefront of something new. The October election in California is going to be our nation's first parliamentary-style election, provided enough right-wing loonies vote for the recall. The bets are on.
The only reason I don't throw my name in the ring for the California governor's race is because I'm running for President in 2004. We have to pick and choose our battles.
Larry Flynt certainly adds color to the race. He has a chance; maybe I should send him a resume, so that I can start collecting political chits.
Hillary [Clinton, Senator from New York] has backed Gray, but I wouldn't be surprised to see her enter the race. No law says one can't be Governor of California and Senator from New York at the same time.
I hope Jay Leno didn't give Mike Tyson any ideas. He would sure muddy up things because a lot of people would probably vote for him. In California, everyone has a constituency. How is it that Arnold was able to pack his into the Leno audience on that Wednesday night? Oh yeah, Orange county is within driving distance; they bussed them in.
Can you believe that "Hasta La Vista, Baby," is now a campaign slogan? Is Arnold going to say it with his German/Austrian accent in Latino precincts? His remark about having plenty of money and not at risk of being bought had a disturbing Machiavellian ring to it. With all of his bodybuilding and movie credits, Arnold brings to the table a whole list of packaged slogans. He's already promised to "pump up" Sacramento. If Arnold's bikini shot in People magazine is any indication, Arnold hasn't pumped up anything in a long time. Forget the election, Arnold. It's time to get back in the gym, big guy! Maybe the soft-body Arnold in a bikini shot will become a campaign poster . . . for someone.
And poor Maria. How do you solve a problem like Arnold? Just how much can a Kennedy get behind such political nonsense? Maybe she knows it's calculated to fail. But what if he wins accidentally, like Robert Redford did in the film "The Candidate"? Oh, the horrors of it all!
And all because Grey was too damn Gray. Sure he messed up bad on a lot of things, but he had a lot of help from Enron, Duke, Reliant and The FERC. Spread the cheer. Energy Secretary Spencer Abrahams and Bush Jr. helped a lot too.
So we have a porn king, an actor, a bunch of politicians, and some thoughtful politicos vying to run the nation's most populous state and the world's 5th largest economy. Change is good, but I'm not sure this is what Madison and Jefferson had intended. But the effect is to shake us back to a representative democracy where major party affiliation really doesn't matter. In the long run, this might be good. I'm not advocating the overthrow of the U.S. Government; just the two-party system. So you don't need to send the Secret Service to interview me or honor me with surveillance again.
California started going awry with Proposition 13 in 1978. As a land of extremes, California has extreme leftists and extreme Republicans - perhaps more extreme than in other parts of the country. California Republicans began the tax revolt in 1978, and are proud of their greedy and mean streak. You should hear the "jokes" they tell when they think no one else is listening.
Proposition 13 wasn't taken seriously in the beginning and look what happened. Neither was Reagan, Bush The Junior, and the numerous successful draconian ballot issues. Now, look what happened. By underestimating the appeal of stupidity, we've unwittingly given over to it. Reagan welcomed the Moral Majority into the Big Tent so he could defeat Carter. Now they call the shots for Republicans in all elections from municipal to Federal.
Since eight lawsuits have arisen out of the recall election, maybe we could add a ninth to force a run-off of the top-two candidates. That could leave us with the delicious prospect of Arnold vs. Larry Flynt for Governor of California. Danny DiVito might be our new Secretary of State and Courtney Love could be the Supreme Court Chief Justice. People will pay to see that one.
Just in case the worst happens, we should hit the ground running: RECALL ARNOLD NOW!
SAN RAFAEL, CA, USA - All of a sudden the California governor's race is like a British or Israeli parliamentary election. It's not a two-party race anymore. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante's entry into the race makes that official. Arnold Schwartzenegger's name in the hat merely re-certifies the global entertainment value. Both parties are fractured and it's every wo/man for her/himself.
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