Polls force Democrats to think the unthinkable (Recall)

San Francisco Chronicle

Sacramento -- A barrage of public opinion polls showing Gov. Gray Davis at risk of being ousted from office pushed frightened Democrats closer Monday to demanding that a strong replacement candidate appear on the Oct. 7 recall election ballot.

While Davis courted labor unions in Chicago and attempted to delay the recall in the courts, leading Democrats eyed a fresh batch of private polls showing the recall supported by as much as 55 percent, with a tiny number of undecided voters leaning toward either staying home or ousting Davis.

Davis is so unpopular that many Democrats believe Sen. Dianne Feinstein or a statewide figure such as Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante should enter the race as a replacement candidate before the 5 p.m. Saturday filing deadline. So far, the most prominent candidates to express interest have been Republicans. ---

And maybe into resigning--"For the good of California". I'd hate to see Repubs take that big a governorship in that manner...just because the sitting governor is both unpopular, and bull-headed. x(

Sen. Feinstein and Cruz Bustamente need to have a "prayer meeting" with Gray Davis and tell him the bad news--you can leave us now, or leave us later!

B-)

Once the signatures have been verified and the election date set, the election will take place regardless of what Davis does according to California state law.

If he does fall on the sword, does the recall take place? Does it mean anything since he'd be out of office already?

Keeping California in Democratic hands is too important and more important than loyalties to an individual. This situation is unprecedented. The Democratic Party needs to think it through. McAuliffe needs to stop opposing running a back-up candidate and ask someone to run.

These low polls probably don't even take into consideration, "likely" voters.

So what if California gets a Repug governor?

He'll sit in office for whopping 2 years and will have to contend with an overwhelmingly Democrat Legislature.
Nothing he proposes will get passed.

Then in 2006, whichever Democrat comes out of the primary will trounce him. Convincingly.

pill will by commercials by the millions blaming dems for the problem. you don't want repugs to get their hands on that seat. davis should resign for the good of the party.

Cannot let the repubs see California as a victory of any type.

Don't let the camel get his nose under the tent........he'll eat your electoral votes!!

I understand he is a very good politician. These anti-democratic "coups" are getting a little tiring.

This is starting to smell like McAuliffe's way or the highway. :mad:

The legal winner by majority vote or the highway.

It is imperative that a viable Dem candidate file.

He/she can always pull out at the end if it appears Davis's numbers shift in his favor. Otherwise, if no shift, Davis should pull out near the end. Seems this strategy is a no-brainer. What's wrong with it?

I cannot understand at all why Davis hasn't raised holy hell with the power companies who are responsible for at least 1/3 of the budget problems in CA. For not making this a federal case, he deserves his troubles.

Since the idea was first brought up by talk radio hosts, the television, radio, and newspapers in California have been trying to get Davis recalled even more aggressively than they pushed for Clinton's impeachment.

With the entire media against him, Davis is going to have a hard time winning.