Is John Garamendi a Completely Clueless Cretin?

I'm a Californian.

Garamendi did OK...but YEARS ago.

Shouldn't he withdraw?

Why's he screwing Cruz?

WHAT'S THIS GUY'S DEAL!!!

DTH

...he's screwing someone, but it's not Bustamente. He's screwing davis and any hope the Dems have of fighting back this Nazi power grab. As far as I'm concerned Bustament is a whore--is there anyone in California who can look at the big picture and put aside his or her ego and ambition for the good of their party????????????????

even state and national insiders are pretty sure Davis is going to lose the recall and if/when that happens, it's important that we have a prominent state Democrat on the ballot. And, as I mention in my post below, Bustamonte IS Davis' successor so voting "no" on the recall, then voting for anyone other than Bustamonte is tantamount to saying, "I agree with overturning a fair election."

Look, I'm not real hot on Bustamonte either as I've learned too much about him in recent months. We can't stop the recall and Davis, most likely, will not survive it. The next best thing, IMO, is to vote for his rightful successor -- Bustamonte.

Davis' chances of surviving went into the toilet. Same would be true if it had been Riordan instead of Arnold.

Cruz did the right thing, IMO, by waiting until after Arnold entered. I like Davis, but not anywhere near the point of suicide.

But Garamendi pisses me off to no end. I hope the Dem heavies lean on him hard to set aside his opportunism.

DTH

ALL had their sites set on the Governor's mansion for 2006. These three gentlemen are not exactly the best of friends. My guess is that since Bustamonte announced his candidacy, Garamendi didn't want to let Cruz have all the limelight and jumped into the frey. I'm not sure what Angelides intends on doing.

Bustamonte isn't my favorite but he IS the Lt. Governor and Davis' rightful successor, which is why I'll be voting for him. (And "no" on the recall, of course.)

I remember Garamendi from years ago, he always wanted to be governor and never made it, now he thinks it is his chance, instead he will help sink a truly viable candidate.

It's just a power grab--Rove was right in backing this--it exposes the fissures in the Dem party. Did you see that Bustamente cahirs Holy Joe's California campaign????????

We are screwed--the Repukes have won again by changing the rules.

Honestly, I don't understand your point. I am opposed to the power grab, but the recall laws have been on the books for a long time.

I support Davis, and will vote no. But I am thrilled the proper successor, Lt. Gov. Bustamante, is on the ballot so we have a choice should we lose the recall (which we almost certainly will, due to Davis' great unpopularity).

DTH

I'm not a Clifornian, so its not my fight, but I don't see just sitting back and letting KKKarl Rove steal the governorship of the largest state in the union. For God's sake, we at least need a CANDIDATE in the race and who better than the rightful replacement, the Lt Governor?

I, too, would vote no on the recall, but vote for Bustamante in case it passes.

GMTA, Rowdyboy. :D

DTH

by taking a law that was on the books meant ONLY for criminal activity or actoin that might be considered impeachable and as a last resort. They started talking about recall within WEEKS after davis started his second term. The law was never meant to overturn an elections imply because they didn't like the outcome. This is an abuse of the Democratic system, and all you people who aren't yelling and screaming about this are playing into their hands.

ONLY for criminal activity or actoin

I didn't see that anywhere in the statute, last time I checked it several months ago.

That's not changing the rules. That's just a differing interpretation. A cynical, politically opportunistic interpretation, certainly, but it's not changing the rules.

DTH

and meeting and strategizing and organizing a whole LOT of activities that are going on behind the scenes (as well as in front of the cameras) of which you are apparently unaware. We have less than 2 months to pull this off. I can't even begin to tell you what a nightmare this has been for local Elections Offices. This is what the state Dems are planning on doing:

1) Do a MASSIVE negative campaign about the recall.

2) Do a MASSIVE GOTV effort.

3) Encourage California voters to sign up for permanent absentee ballots (this is a DNC brainchild -- Oy!).

4) Hold a variety of anti-recall events throughout the state in order to ensure all who vote are making an informed decision. I personally thing the vast majority of people who voted for this recall had NO CLUE as to what the hell they were signing up for.

5) The Anti-recall effort will involve two main points:
A) Why Republicans can't seem to respect the will of the people and
B) The fact this is costing California $70 MILLION -- something we can ill afford with the biggest deficit in our state's history.

There is a LOT more, of course, but that's the Reader's Digest version. As part of "you people," I can assure you we are working our butts off and have been, fighting against this thing.

:thumbsup:

DTH

And thank you for your hard work in trying to support our democracy in the face of lunatics who think Ah-nold is some kind of hero because he's not a total wing-nut. Please, please keep up the fight.

If you don't like this recall effort by a small rightwing coup,
you still vote NO on the top half of the ballot.
For insurance, vote for another Dem at the bottom. Cruz is
a good choice, although more moderate than I like but frankly
nothing very much is going get done in the next couple of years.

As soon as Bustamente pu his name on the ballot--no, even before, which twits started talking about an "option" they gave the recall legitimacy. Now we're playing by hte Thugs' rules--sure way to lose.

As or it simply being a different "interpretation" give yourself a history lesson and see that the bill was not meant for this "interpretation." Nice way to just roll over and play dead--just waht the repukes want.

that he chose to run this time. I thought he would wait until 2006 to give it another go. I would prefer he remained as Insurance Commissioner since there is so much he can do here (Worker's Comp reforms, Homeowner's Ins. reforms, pushing Universal Health Care). I enjoy working for him and think that he could write his own ticket in 2006 if he is able to get the reforms pushed thru.

I honestly think he will one day make a great governor, but he will just get lost in the current circus that is this election. Regardless, I will still volunteer for his campaign.

John Garamendi.

This guy's a two time loser when it comes to running for governor. He'll lose this time too. But he'll probably succeed in tipping the race to Ah-nuld.

The "floodgates" did NOT open! He must withdraw, with our gratitude and thanks. It only makes sense that the No. 2 be on the ballot at this time. There is little support for his move is my impression.