Current Events > The California Recall Election could wreck the country

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https://newrepublic.com/article/163457/california-recall-election-wreck-country

Early voting is already underway in the recall election of California Governor Gavin Newsom. If you havent seen a lot of media coverage of the embattled Democrats recent struggles, thats not your fault. As TNRs Matt Ford wrote last week, public ignorance about Newsoms travails is the natural result of the mainstream presss East Coast media biaswhich also plays a big role in why the Golden States perennial wildfires, and by extension, the climate crisis at their root, arent covered nearly as well as they should be.

What happens in California often has a tidal effect on the rest of the nation. Its gross state product tops out around $3.2 trillion, making it the worlds fifth-largest economy; its peers among sovereign nations would be Germany and India. And with 40 million people to govern, the policies that get enacted by California lawmakers often influence the national policy debate. California is, in many ways, a laboratory of democracy. But the recall electiona product of the states less well-considered experiments in direct democracythreatens to leak something very destructive from that lab.

Newsoms mess is largely of his own making. As James Pogue wrote for TNR back in February, the Covid pandemic, and Newsoms questionable actions during the crisis, tipped the scales against him. As governor, he presided over some chaotic off-again, on-again restrictions that shuttered businesses and enjoined people to quarantine at home. He then failed the simple test of leading by example: In November, Newsom was spotted dining out maskless at French Laundry, the Bay Areas most hoity-toity eatery, with the CEO of the California Medical Association, at a time when most Californians were forgoing such pleasures in the name of public health. His poll numbers promptly tanked.

In normal circumstances, Newsom might simply be facing a tough reelection fight or a rigorous primary. But California allows for the recall of the governor, and Republicans have decided to attempt an end run around a normal election cyclewhich theyd likely loseand instead exploit a set of favorable rules that, like the entrance to Brigadoon, only occasionally open up.

According to the terms of the recall, California voters will make two choices at the polls. The first is a straight up-or-down vote on the recall itself, in which a simple majority carries the day. Should the recall get triggered, the second choice voters will make is to pick Newsoms replacement from a list of contenders who, to put it charitably, arent in sync with the states dominant Democratic leanings. (Larry Elder, thought to be the leading contender, is a Trump-aligned Covid crackpot.)

Newsoms name is not permitted to appear on the ballots. Moreover, voters wont get to pick from among the states credible Democratic alternatives because none had the incentive to run: Anyone who might be a like-minded replacement for Newsom opposes the recall in the first place. All of this creates a situation in which a small number of Californians could throw over an elected governor in favor of a replacement who could never command the support of a majority of California voters in a normal election.

How did the state come to have this wild scheme? As Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik explained, Californias experiment in direct democracy began over a century ago, at a time when railroad robber barons had effectively bought off both parties. Placing the tiller of democracy directly in the hands of voters seemed, at the time, to be a good ideaeven a necessary oneand so reformers gave voters the power to recall their governor and to enact laws via ballot initiative. There were many who resisted these ideas, but supporters believed the reforms would inspire people to get better informed about politics. What they failed to anticipate was that voters main source of information might be well-funded political grifters.

If the polls are any guide, the recall election is too close for comfort. And if you think the elections impact on your life will be remote, consider this: Should California Senator Dianne Feinstein, 88 years old and in declining health, take leave of her post for any reason, the recalls victor may get to appoint her replacement and end the Democrats narrow Senate majority. What catches fire in California may soon burn everyone.

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Good
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metallica846 posted...

Isnt California sending out ballots to everyone so they can vote by mail? Im not too worried about this.

The problem is

1) apathy

2) the Democrats didn't come up with an actual plan should the recall question succeed because they were opposed to it in the first place.
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metallica846 posted...

Isnt California sending out ballots to everyone so they can vote by mail? Im not too worried about this.

the big issue is the way the ballot is worded, could be confusing enough to cause people to vote against Newsome when they would otherwise be okay with him.

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Would the replacement serve a full term?

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I mailed my ballot in a week and a half ago, and they still haven't received it. Not sure what's going on.

i gotta check to see if i got the ballot, brb

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Bio1590 posted...

2) the Democrats didn't come up with an actual plan should the recall question succeed because they were opposed to it in the first place.

They have supermajority so it's not he can do anything

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Hexenherz posted...

Would the replacement serve a full term?

No, the replacement only fills out the rest of the term and then can run in the next general election.

The main problem is how much damage he could do even though he'd only be in for ~16 months
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Irony posted...

They have supermajority so it's not he can do anything

He can replace Feinstein if she dies
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Newsom need to go.

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Sigh. Dems fail at strategy yet again

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i just took a look at the ballot, i dont even know any of the candidates listed to replace newsom. there's no famous name like arnold lol.

i got a feeling newsom will still be governor.

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This is so fucking stupid. All he did was eat at restaurant without a mask among people in his own circle and people are losing their dumbass minds over it. People are getting their asses wrecked over the fact that imposed lockdowns ... to save people from fucking dying and preventing the hospital systems from being overwhelmed. California was one of the hardest hit states, theres high populaton density in the bay area and LA. Even in central valley, outside of the actual farms themselves the suburbs are congested and people are concentrated in small areas. California would've been Florida right now if he didn't do everything he did.

Honestly his covid response has fantastic. Its just right wing nutjobs getting worked up over nothing. Even Trump has praised Newsome in the past for how he's done in terms of COVID. And people getting upset at his meal is just people being stupid. It just happened to be one of the bougiest restaurants in the area.

Its like if your doctor told you to not smoke and he goes out and smokes an expensive cigar. It doesn't mean he's a bad doctor, he gave you good advice.

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Filipino Rebellion posted...

i just took a look at the ballot, i dont even know any of the candidates listed to replace newsom. there's no famous name like arnold lol.

i got a feeling newsom will still be governor.

What about Caitlyn Jenner?

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Trumpers trying to ruin the country? Shocker!

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Feinstein should step down now so he can just pick her replacement now.

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California could always learn from New York and just demand Newsome resign then put his Lt Gov in the position

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metallica846 posted...

Maybe Californians should not be electing people in their twilight years. Good learning experience here.

I mean yeah, but that's not just a California-specific problem though.

(Although right now it arguably is a problem)
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MaddenDude-- posted...

Feinstein should step down now so he can just pick her replacement now.

Its what some of the Supreme Court justices should do as well while a Democrat is in office

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I don't trust vote by mail?
is it only vote by mail?

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iPhone_7 posted...

Its what some of the Supreme Court justices should do as well while a Democrat is in office

I'm still somewhat shocked the GOP didn't convince Thomas to step down
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Seriously though it pisses me off how complacent Democrats get even after 2016.

They were laughing over this from the very beginning and now the U.S. Senate is at risk.

And if McConnell becomes Senate Majority Leader again then hell block any Supreme Court pick if there happens to be a vacancy, the same way he screwed Obama.


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I see people on social media posting recall Newsome!and like 90% of the comments Im reading are saying I dont even live there but even I hate him get him out!!

its typical Republican nonsense. They dont even know why they hate him.

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I just don't believe that Trumpers have enough power in California to do it.

California definitely does need to toss its recall process, though. It's absurd from top to bottom.
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UnholyMudcrab posted...

I just don't believe that Trumpers have enough power in California to do it.

They are motivated, the Dems are complacent and apathetic.

The fact they didn't run even one notable candidate as a backup plan is insane.
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MaddenDude-- posted...

This is so fucking stupid. All he did was eat at restaurant without a mask among people in his own circle and people are losing their dumbass minds over it. People are getting their asses wrecked over the fact that imposed lockdowns ... to save people from fucking dying and preventing the hospital systems from being overwhelmed. California was one of the hardest hit states, theres high populaton density in the bay area and LA. Even in central valley, outside of the actual farms themselves the suburbs are congested and people are concentrated in small areas. California would've been Florida right now if he didn't do everything he did.

Honestly his covid response has fantastic. Its just right wing nutjobs getting worked up over nothing. Even Trump has praised Newsome in the past for how he's done in terms of COVID. And people getting upset at his meal is just people being stupid. It just happened to be one of the bougiest restaurants in the area.

Its like if your doctor told you to not smoke and he goes out and smokes an expensive cigar. It doesn't mean he's a bad doctor, he gave you good advice.

Tbf, as a life long Democrat, the social media based "left" has painted Newsom as the devil along with Republicans. This is why it is so close.

Neither can win in a free open and fair general election. They are both exploiting the flawed CA recall process.

If either side is so big and so bad, run in the general election.

This is why people should vote NO and leave the rest blank. The social media left wants a kook to run in the general in 2022 and hope to find Jesus on question two.

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Bio1590 posted...

They are motivated, the Dems are complacent and apathetic.

The fact they didn't run even one notable candidate as a backup plan is insane.

The back up strategy is flawed. Tried before. Better a strong NO than a weak yes. Whatever happens, happens but the "backup" strategy is candy assed.

"I'm with you, but you, know, I'll support some else for now. In 2022, IDK".

A Dem will will in 2022. The supermajority will handle the rest. Don't empower lunatics.

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It would certainly be good for the country to see California cleaned up. Actually criminalize theft. Let parents actually sends their kids to good schools. Deal with the homeless problem. Help make housing more affordable.

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Well, I voted at least...

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Dark_SilverX posted...

Newsom need to go.

the next person who has the highest chance of winning is a rightwing trump worshipping radiohost nutjob, Lerry Elder. No thanks.

Right wing republicans like Lerry Elder tend to be anti science. They don' care about covid or climate change or helping the homeless or even low income people. They are going to set california back. Larry Elder ialso thinks minimum wage should be 0, and that california teachers are incompetent without reasoning why or suggesting how to solve that.

I'd rather have terminator run for governor again then Lerry Elder, Jenner or any other Republican.

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MaddenDude-- posted...

Feinstein should step down now so he can just pick her replacement now.

If recalled, it will probably be a month before everything is certified and finalized. They can wait for at least preliminary results if that was something they were going to do. Which I doubt Feinstein would do. She wants to die in office.


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Qanoners are saying this is how Trump gets put back in office.

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solosnake posted...

Qanoners are saying this is how Trump gets put back in office.

As strong a piece of evidence as anything that it's going to fail miserably.

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The problem with the recall is that it should not also be an election for the replacement. It should be that if the governor gets recalled, the lieutenant governor automatically replaces him.

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TerraSeeker posted...

It would certainly be good for the country to see California cleaned up. Actually criminalize theft. Let parents actually sends their kids to good schools. Deal with the homeless problem. Help make housing more affordable.

Not sure why you think any of that would come from a republican.
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TerraSeeker posted...

It would certainly be good for the country to see California cleaned up. Actually criminalize theft. Let parents actually sends their kids to good schools. Deal with the homeless problem. Help make housing more affordable.

None of these are things that happen under Republicans

Bio1590 posted...

He can replace Feinstein if she dies

They can put out legislature like they did in Kentucky where they have to replace the senator with the same party

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Mr Hangman posted...

It's one thing to argue he shouldn't be recalled, but this article's attempt to argue against recall elections themselves is very clumsy. I don't have much of an opinion either way on them, but you got to do better than "yay rah rah rah democracy! oh, but not that, that's too much democracy."

Ehhh in California's case, it's less "too much democracy" and more "really really shittily implemented democracy".

The number of signatures you need to trigger a recall is hilariously low given CA's population, and then the election is designed such that as long as a majority of voters want the current governor out, the replacement only needs the highest percentage of votes, no matter how small that percentage is. 10%? 5%? 2%? All are technically possible.

That's not democracy. That's lunacy.

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Why would a governor in California affect me lmao

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tripleh213 posted...

Why would a governor in California affect me lmao

If a "lifer" senator suddenly stops being alive, the governor picks a new one.
This one-vote majority in the senate and two or three in the house, is somehow "essential" for keeping the country unwrecked, or something.

Questionmarktarius posted...

If a "lifer" senator suddenly stops being alive, the governor picks a new one.
This one-vote majority in the senate and two or three in the house, is somehow "essential" for keeping the country unwrecked, or something.

You're not as stupid are you're pretending to be
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Bio1590 posted...

The problem is

1) apathy

2) the Democrats didn't come up with an actual plan should the recall question succeed because they were opposed to it in the first place.

Having a viable alternative to Newsome just makes it more likely that he loses the recall effort (that honestly shouldnt have been allowed to make it to ballot to begin with, but a judge granted the petitioners a generous deadline extension due to covid)

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