I am a Democratic California and I do have to say that I was surprised (and frankly felt I had not adequately informed myself) when I saw a map of the recall voting by County. If California is to remain Democratic, those of us who would prefer no governmental interference in the rights of women over their bodies, and other personal choices had best keep ourselves informed and voting for we may wake up one day and find ourselves with a science denying, real world education denying, religious terrorist billionaire running the California government.
I often tell my kids that everything in life is a gift, and that perhaps it took people with an authoritarian view of government to wake decent people up to the necessity of civic engagement at every level, vigilance, leadership, and voting up and down the ballot. It's such a relief to have this silly recall effort over, and it's just wonderful to have Dan Rather to keep everyone steady through all of it!
Just the process was eye opening - a person could have won that office with 1% of the vote as long as Newsom didn't get enough votes. ????? Who made that up? That aside, I believe that the toxic environment created by DJT does absolutely still exist, and that those of us who want to be rid of it must remain vigilant. I will keep encouraging people to vote, to think about the issues instead of looking for one word answers, and try not to remain silent for the sake of keeping peace - that didn't work so well. It took some practice in diplomacy and respectful discussion, but I think I've done OK, and that's what starts to take away the poison.
The California Recall Election raised the possibility of discussing Ranked Choice Voting . The basic makeup of the contest was one Democrat (Newsom) vs 46 assorted Republicans and Republican sympathizers. If each of those challengers had garnered on average 1.25% of the vote, collectively they would have won 57.5% of the vote and Newsom would have a commanding plurality of 42.5% - but still short of a majority. Here’s where the ranked choice issue comes in: On the Democrat side, there are no choices beyond first choice, so Newsom remains stuck at 42.5%, HOWEVER, since the purpose of ranked choice voting is to avoid runoffs by eventually reaching a majority, it is a given that as sufficient iterations of ranked choice are run on the Republican side, eventually one of them will end up with more than 50% of the total vote and Newsom loses.
Comments, clarifications, corrections to my example, not to the actual outcome of the actual recall vote (Thank God!).
As a Californian, I think much of the recall failure (that I'm pleased/relieved about) was more due to rejecting Larry Elder's lead as the replacement candidate if Newsom had been recalled. The platform that Elder represents is so far out of alignment with the State's politics and is frightening for many and probably a significant majority of the voting population. I believe there is agreement that Newsom has managed the pandemic response fairly well. He has certainly had to make some very difficult decisions. That said, I think the State reopened too early -- probably due to economic/business pressures (not that I have any inside information). In terms of looking into a crystal ball for meaning, I don't think the vote was a complete endorsement of the Governor's
Not remembering where I read that “no” voters were energized by the boils recently passed here in TX, but if true, that should provide a solid campaign theme for both Democrats and centrist Republicans in 2022. Encouraging the centrists of the GOP to strike out on their own.
I’ve never lived in California, nor have I ever visited there. I’d live to visit, because there’s a lot in California I’d love to see before I depart this good earth.
Now, about the election. That was a joke to say the least. It was a slam dunk for the Governor. I’m more than happy, glad, ecstatic, to see such a turnout if Democrats to reinforce the process of good, fair, election process in this country. I’m glad to see the Trumpster Party candidate lost, by more than a landslide. He was “pounced” in authoritative fashion.
This proves that Democrats will get out and vote, no matter the restrictions placed on them. Democrats will have their voices heard.
Now, we must turn our attention to the 2022 midterms. The Democrats just rally together and show the Republican based states that have passed these ridiculously savage, civil war days, voting laws, that we will turn out to vote. We will provide what is necessary to get our good candidates in office, keep our good people in office, and make our voices heard. Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, and all the other Republican dominated states. We will prevail and show them that we will not be defeated. We will elect our people in office, take full control of the senate, House of Representatives, in the nations capital as well as all these states cramming these barbaric laws down our throats and backing this country up 200 years!
Besides, the way I see it, the Republican senate, and governors in these states have put themselves in the hot seat. They’ve tied the hands of the millions of disabled, aged, people that are also Republicans who are unable to get to the polls, just like us? And, last I looked, not EVERY African American, Latino, Asian American, or other peoples they have ‘targeted’ with these barbaric civil war laws, are all Democrats. A lot, I expect are registered Republicans.
But, then, these fools didn’t think about that, did they, before pushing these laws in front of their governors for signatures? So, who’s the actual fools here?
The vote in CA looks like the group of the "I want MY freedom and to heck with everyone else" was the big loser in this. Many of my friends in CA (where I was born and raised) are thinking of leaving because of homelessness problems, ridiculously high taxes, etc. but they voted for Newsom in this because they so totally didn't want the screaming thumpers (not a rock band) to get their lies realized.
I have lived in coastal, southern Ca for most of my 58 years. I do not own property or a business, nor have children/dependents (grown). With that said, I do have many friends family, and co-worker (sub family) that do have dependents, and own homes and /or business here in Ca. ALL- were greatly effected by Newson's lack of clarity dealing with his Ca Covid-19 policies.
By not putting himself or his family into his Ca Covid-19 planning "true realities", Newson allowed Trump's camp and Mitch McConnell's GOP's take over- wiggle they way into Ca!
It is my hope Newson will double down and make it his up-most business to call out any and all entities that want to suggest and/or stir the pot this recall was rigged, tainted, or stolen.
I don't live in California, yet the results give me hope that we the people who hold the Constitution dear, trust the science to withstand the pandemic, respect a woman's body as her own, desire equal voting rights for all citizens, and feel responsible for the protection of our planet can recover from the harm caused by Trumpian Republicans.
1. If the initiator of a recall loses, they should pay for it. CA recall rules need to be overhauled.
2. This recall is the work of far right conservative funders like the Mercer and DeVos families. Someone really needs to do a deep dive on these people and expose how their efforts with the Reopen campaigns, anti-mask and anti-vax ops in school boards, and generally promoting disinformation is impacting our political discourse. They are funding and working with groups like Proud Boys and III% - known to be violent agitators.
3. I grew up in CA (OC) and was certain the No vote would prevail despite all the pundits. National political pundits don't understand the sea change that immigration and technology have wrought in the state over the last 40 years.
This shows that Democrats need to get out and vote and be engaged. We have the numbers believing in a democracy and freedom. The election was also a result of a state voting system that doesn't put up roadblocks to voting.
As a lifelong Dem, I am glad Newsome was NOT recalled. But I worry that the GOP seems to have untold amounts of money to throw at lawsuits, recalls, audits, etc. When people don't care if they win or lose as long as they have something to fight about (and make headlines) - that is a toxic situation for our democracy. There have to be consequences for people who continue to lie about elections, the reality of the COVID virus etc. So far, the lies continue without consequence. "Counter speech" doesn't seem to be enough.
I am a Democratic California and I do have to say that I was surprised (and frankly felt I had not adequately informed myself) when I saw a map of the recall voting by County. If California is to remain Democratic, those of us who would prefer no governmental interference in the rights of women over their bodies, and other personal choices had best keep ourselves informed and voting for we may wake up one day and find ourselves with a science denying, real world education denying, religious terrorist billionaire running the California government.
I often tell my kids that everything in life is a gift, and that perhaps it took people with an authoritarian view of government to wake decent people up to the necessity of civic engagement at every level, vigilance, leadership, and voting up and down the ballot. It's such a relief to have this silly recall effort over, and it's just wonderful to have Dan Rather to keep everyone steady through all of it!
Just the process was eye opening - a person could have won that office with 1% of the vote as long as Newsom didn't get enough votes. ????? Who made that up? That aside, I believe that the toxic environment created by DJT does absolutely still exist, and that those of us who want to be rid of it must remain vigilant. I will keep encouraging people to vote, to think about the issues instead of looking for one word answers, and try not to remain silent for the sake of keeping peace - that didn't work so well. It took some practice in diplomacy and respectful discussion, but I think I've done OK, and that's what starts to take away the poison.
The California Recall Election raised the possibility of discussing Ranked Choice Voting . The basic makeup of the contest was one Democrat (Newsom) vs 46 assorted Republicans and Republican sympathizers. If each of those challengers had garnered on average 1.25% of the vote, collectively they would have won 57.5% of the vote and Newsom would have a commanding plurality of 42.5% - but still short of a majority. Here’s where the ranked choice issue comes in: On the Democrat side, there are no choices beyond first choice, so Newsom remains stuck at 42.5%, HOWEVER, since the purpose of ranked choice voting is to avoid runoffs by eventually reaching a majority, it is a given that as sufficient iterations of ranked choice are run on the Republican side, eventually one of them will end up with more than 50% of the total vote and Newsom loses.
Comments, clarifications, corrections to my example, not to the actual outcome of the actual recall vote (Thank God!).
George Shaeffer
Clearwater, FL 33767
As a Californian, I think much of the recall failure (that I'm pleased/relieved about) was more due to rejecting Larry Elder's lead as the replacement candidate if Newsom had been recalled. The platform that Elder represents is so far out of alignment with the State's politics and is frightening for many and probably a significant majority of the voting population. I believe there is agreement that Newsom has managed the pandemic response fairly well. He has certainly had to make some very difficult decisions. That said, I think the State reopened too early -- probably due to economic/business pressures (not that I have any inside information). In terms of looking into a crystal ball for meaning, I don't think the vote was a complete endorsement of the Governor's
budgetary or policy platform.
Not remembering where I read that “no” voters were energized by the boils recently passed here in TX, but if true, that should provide a solid campaign theme for both Democrats and centrist Republicans in 2022. Encouraging the centrists of the GOP to strike out on their own.
I’ve never lived in California, nor have I ever visited there. I’d live to visit, because there’s a lot in California I’d love to see before I depart this good earth.
Now, about the election. That was a joke to say the least. It was a slam dunk for the Governor. I’m more than happy, glad, ecstatic, to see such a turnout if Democrats to reinforce the process of good, fair, election process in this country. I’m glad to see the Trumpster Party candidate lost, by more than a landslide. He was “pounced” in authoritative fashion.
This proves that Democrats will get out and vote, no matter the restrictions placed on them. Democrats will have their voices heard.
Now, we must turn our attention to the 2022 midterms. The Democrats just rally together and show the Republican based states that have passed these ridiculously savage, civil war days, voting laws, that we will turn out to vote. We will provide what is necessary to get our good candidates in office, keep our good people in office, and make our voices heard. Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, and all the other Republican dominated states. We will prevail and show them that we will not be defeated. We will elect our people in office, take full control of the senate, House of Representatives, in the nations capital as well as all these states cramming these barbaric laws down our throats and backing this country up 200 years!
Besides, the way I see it, the Republican senate, and governors in these states have put themselves in the hot seat. They’ve tied the hands of the millions of disabled, aged, people that are also Republicans who are unable to get to the polls, just like us? And, last I looked, not EVERY African American, Latino, Asian American, or other peoples they have ‘targeted’ with these barbaric civil war laws, are all Democrats. A lot, I expect are registered Republicans.
But, then, these fools didn’t think about that, did they, before pushing these laws in front of their governors for signatures? So, who’s the actual fools here?
The vote in CA looks like the group of the "I want MY freedom and to heck with everyone else" was the big loser in this. Many of my friends in CA (where I was born and raised) are thinking of leaving because of homelessness problems, ridiculously high taxes, etc. but they voted for Newsom in this because they so totally didn't want the screaming thumpers (not a rock band) to get their lies realized.
I have lived in coastal, southern Ca for most of my 58 years. I do not own property or a business, nor have children/dependents (grown). With that said, I do have many friends family, and co-worker (sub family) that do have dependents, and own homes and /or business here in Ca. ALL- were greatly effected by Newson's lack of clarity dealing with his Ca Covid-19 policies.
By not putting himself or his family into his Ca Covid-19 planning "true realities", Newson allowed Trump's camp and Mitch McConnell's GOP's take over- wiggle they way into Ca!
It is my hope Newson will double down and make it his up-most business to call out any and all entities that want to suggest and/or stir the pot this recall was rigged, tainted, or stolen.
Godspeed Ca!
There were likely thousands of grassroots callers and block walkers that I believe led to the numbers of votes against the Recall.
Seems really odd to me that a governor would be recalled for doing the right thing. Thankful the voters came through (despite the expense!)
I don't live in California, yet the results give me hope that we the people who hold the Constitution dear, trust the science to withstand the pandemic, respect a woman's body as her own, desire equal voting rights for all citizens, and feel responsible for the protection of our planet can recover from the harm caused by Trumpian Republicans.
A Gavin Newsom ploy!
1. If the initiator of a recall loses, they should pay for it. CA recall rules need to be overhauled.
2. This recall is the work of far right conservative funders like the Mercer and DeVos families. Someone really needs to do a deep dive on these people and expose how their efforts with the Reopen campaigns, anti-mask and anti-vax ops in school boards, and generally promoting disinformation is impacting our political discourse. They are funding and working with groups like Proud Boys and III% - known to be violent agitators.
3. I grew up in CA (OC) and was certain the No vote would prevail despite all the pundits. National political pundits don't understand the sea change that immigration and technology have wrought in the state over the last 40 years.
This shows that Democrats need to get out and vote and be engaged. We have the numbers believing in a democracy and freedom. The election was also a result of a state voting system that doesn't put up roadblocks to voting.
As a lifelong Dem, I am glad Newsome was NOT recalled. But I worry that the GOP seems to have untold amounts of money to throw at lawsuits, recalls, audits, etc. When people don't care if they win or lose as long as they have something to fight about (and make headlines) - that is a toxic situation for our democracy. There have to be consequences for people who continue to lie about elections, the reality of the COVID virus etc. So far, the lies continue without consequence. "Counter speech" doesn't seem to be enough.