Who's Right - Feinstein or Other Cal Dems?

What do you guys think?

Sen. Feinstein says that while she will vote against the recall, she refuses to cast a vote for any candidate on the second part of the ballot. Not even for Bustamante.

But other Cal Dems, including Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, disagree. Here is an op-ed that Lofgren has put out. I found it over at www.democrats.us To me this makes a lot of sense. Why shouldn't we hedge our bets?:

http://www.democrats.us/editorial/lofgren082203.shtml

Oppose the Recall; Support Bustamante

By: Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

The California Democratic Congressional Delegation continues to strongly oppose the recall of California’s Governor Gray Davis.

<snip>

Less than a year ago, Californians went to the polls by the millions and chose a governor. The recall petition, paid for by Republicans who lost that election, has succeeded in forcing a new election and plunging California into political and economic uncertainty it can’t afford. The millions of dollars being spent on the recall election could be better invested in California’s future - getting the economy back on track, strengthening schools, and preserving the environment.

<snip>

We ask that after Californians vote “NO” and reject the recall, they cast a vote for Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante. We believe that whenever there is an election, Californians should always cast their vote

<snip>

betting everything on a man with an approval rating in the 20s, and with all the charisma of a day-old cigarette butt, just isn't a smart strategy.

voting NO on the recall, but YES on Cruz, gives us 2 chances to win. and given the slimness of the first chance, we really need the second.

Feinstein's stance is silly. suppose the recall were held as 2 separate elections. would she tell dems not to vote in the 2nd election, because the first one was unfair?

but the rest of us should vote No on the recall and
yes on Bustamante.

It's an idealistic stance and I agree with it in theory but I agree it's not a practical stance to take

If we could live in an ideal world of peace, love, and harmony *sound of angelic choir*

But if you want to do what she suggested and just vote "No" on the recall and skip the second question, then be prepared to have a Republican Governor in California.

She is certainly no idiot, ,she is rather outraged by this recall, as should every thinking Californian. She is the single most popular democrat in the state you know and ,while I do not agree with her on a lot of issues I can respect her opinion.
Now, I agree that failing to vote on the second part of that ballot is a bad idea but I do admire her loyalty to an elected governor.

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I don't think Feinstein's an idiot. But she would serve Cal Dems better if she looked at this issue a little more realistically. We don't need to be in lock step like the Reps, but would it hurt if we were at least on the same page once in a while?

She's the most influential Dem in California and she needs to step up and support the Party.

Here's a cynical thought -- and I am sure that I am not the first one to think of it -- but maybe she is somehow hoping Schwarzenegger wins so she can kick his butt in the next election cycle?

That'd be pathetic if it were true ...

No more trips back and forth to D.C.

...on her congressional visit there last year. Whats that tell you about her credibility. After we win the WH and congress back next year she should be on the list to be replaced by another Dem ASAP.

Don

Makes a lot more sense to me to hedge bets and still make sure it's a Democrat elected if the recall part fails.

I guess Bustamante is is trying to divide Democrats for his own personal gain, but I don't know a lot about that either. Nevertheless I still don't see why it's still not a more prudent strategy to encourage people to vote for a Democrat on the second part of the ballot.

BUT it has no practical value.

It costs nothing to vote for Bustamonte after voting NO on recall. NOTHING!

There is no reason on earth to "skip the second part," no matter how much we oppose the first!

forcing a new election and plunging California into political and economic uncertainty it can’t afford.


Do you have a cite for this, or just some politically bent site?

but she's wrong on this one. This is bigger than Davis. The Democratic Party must stave off this Republican coup attempt, and the best way to do that is to vote on both parts of the ballot: NO on the recall, YES on Bustamante. Bustamante is the insurance should the recall pass (and it's likely that it will).

Perhaps we should just have a "comments" section on the second part of the ballot. That way people like DiFi can vote "no" on the recall, "yes" on Bustamante, but then write all they want about how evil the Reps are for making California go through this. :)