Oh, I completely agree. The guy gives me the creeps, but that's all his approval rating is, just people's gut mammalian reaction to a guy without a personality.* I think we are at least on the same page about the dumb recall option in our state. I do hope that it is dismantled, whatever happens on October 7. As for our deficit, it is horrendous. But I understood that, compared to our "gross state product" (or however you'd like to measure a state's GNP), we were right in line with other states, including Texas. And deficits are a lame reason to attack politicians in office... isn't that right? * since I'm a teacher, I remember reading a Yale study with particular interest. A sociologist there showed student 5-minutes of silent film of a professor lecturing. He asked the students to rate the probable quality of that teacher on a scale of 1 to 5. The results matched almost exactly the results of student evaluations collected from kids who had taken the professor's class for an entire semester. This worked for all kinds of teachers, bad, good, and ugly. My point is that we, as animals, make these judgments about liking people pretty quickly. And how could you like this guy? edit: fun quote of today (Tuesday)-- ----------------------------------------------------------- Davis renewed his challenge for the former bodybuilder to debate him, a proposition the actor rejected. "I don't know what Mr. Schwarzenegger is afraid of," Davis said. "I mean, I never participated in a Mr. Universe contest. I weigh maybe 165 pounds on a good day. I'm ready to go to him toe-to-toe, but he seems to be the one on the run."
He does kinda look like a chipmunk. Everytime I see him though, I think he is a nice, meek, quiet guy. It's hard to see him as a ruthless politician. I don't think he is really super-duper horrible. Mediocre might be the right word. Another point that has been made is that Californians have pretty much handcuffed what they government can do. They don't want to raise taxes, yet they want all types of programs. They don't want pollution or power plants yet complain when there are energy shortages. And the way they have done it- through public referenda (sp?)- pretty much handcuff elected officials. A little too much democracy. I think McClintock would be the best for youguys. He would put the government on a diet and get businesses back and happy. Then you guys can elect a nice progressive liberal after he's done. I doubt Arnold has the cojones to really do any serious reforms.
You also forget that 500 billion-with-a-B deficit that Bush and his ilk ran up as the Republicans controlled all branches of govt in the United States. If it's about deficits, why not recall Bush?
GreenVegan- would you volunteer for this duty? j/k... from the website of the SF Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/09/29/BA266249.DTL -- SISTER ACT: Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante isn't the only rising star in his family -- his 39-year-old sister, Nao Bustamante, is making news for herself as well, as an avant-garde performance artist. Her more notable performances include: -- Strapping on burrito-dildos, upon which white males feast in an absolution ceremony for 500 years of colonial guilt. Vegan burritos only -- no meat.
California is interesting because we have a majority liberal population, but there are also some very powerful business interests. Normally, most people only bother to vote about what they really care about. For the lefties out here, that is all the spending programs, for the righties, it is keeping taxes down. The result is what you described. It isn't that any of the people individually are voting for our situation, but rather, that the two factions are pushing different issues in opposite directions.
And you folks wonder why the GOP wants to end funding for non-commercially viable filth masquerading as art.
Yeah, the Democrats have run a *terrible* campaign -- it's been disorganized and very sloppy. I mean, if you can't beat a guy with no ideas, no experience and no substance, you don't *deserve* the position.
I wonder if this is just a coincidence or not but it seems stange that Davis poll numbers are dropping as the new registration tax hike is going into effect. People had to be receiving the registration letters in the mail with the fee being tripled. To me the registration hike played a large roll in this fiasco for the dems. Also Bustamante ran his campaign on the very issues that the public was upset about, special interest groups. GreenVegan is correct the dems did a pathetic job in running his campaign. Everyone should of rallied around Davis and made this about the right trying to steal the election. That statagy is hard to pull off if you have a dem running against Davis.
I'm just doubled over laughing right now at how the Democrats have been humiliated in the state. What I find interesting is how Davis' numbers have taken a severe plunge due in large part because of this new tax. What happened liberals? I thought you were telling us that the American people wanted fiscal caution and how we should be repealing tax cuts and reducing the deficit (as flawed as this logic truly is)? What happened to that line of thinking? The American voters want lower taxes. Period. This is further evidence of that. Once again, the liberals are caught with their pants down. Reason #1,000,001 why we should not listen to the liberals regarding financial matters. Let's all remember this as we begin to consider taking sides on the Metro issue in Houston. Question the cost-effectiveness of the liberals' proposals, and watch them squirm and fail to answer the question.
Again, D-Davis plunged the state into a $30 billion deficit and his fiascal irresponsibility leads to his recall. R-Bush plunged the nation into a $500 billion deficit, but that's OK. Why? I'm doubled over laughing at the hypocricy of Republicans.
So are you here to admit that the deficit at the federal level is the aggregate of the collective efforts of the states? Interesting how you would place the blame squarely on the states instead of Bush. I wouldn't expect that argument from you, GV.
No, I'm here to drink beer and have sex with many women. What are you here for? If you think the *states* are responsible for the horrible federal budgetary problems, your back must really be hurting bending over backwards for Bush. There's no doubt Davis screwed up the state budget. And he's paying the price. Why isn't Bush?
Regardless of any other issue, if you are a Republican and you're okay with Schwarzenegger, do not EVER talk about the legal issue of sexual harassment or lying about sexual harassment (Max, are you supporting Arnold? I know how much this bothered you with Clinton. Or does it only bother you if we appoint a special prosecutor so we can get him to lie under oath? No personal offense intended. I really am confused on this.) or any level of ethics or morals that we're supposed to expect from elected officials regarding sex or sexual conduct ever again. ****ing ever. Gary Hart to Bill Clinton to Gary Condit to the next Democrat who, by virtue of the Republican Party's sudden warmth to womanizers (and perpetrators of low level sexual assault), will suffer no consequences. This isn't transferable the other way around by the way. The Democratic Party never endorsed a known sex offender. The Republicans are breaking new ground here. Moral majority indeed. Honor and integrity indeed. I hope he is elected. It'll be worth it just for all the stupid, ridiculous, hypocritical right-wing prudes to have to shut the hell up. http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1001arnoldwomen-ON.html
<b>Batman</b>: It must be expedient for you to convict Arnold on simple allegations. What has been proven? Arnold has admitted his past randiness prior to settling down. Are you saying that Bill Clinton's wild ways were unknown before his nomination in 1991.. or his re-election? What about any endorsement he received from the national Democratic party for any of his gubernatorial runs? Why haven't you called? If you don't call soon, we'll have to go Dutch. If you don't call at all, I'll feast alone. My knee is fractured, but I can drive.
