California Recall Roundup: One Democrat's Debate Debacle
Democrats in California long ago decided that the best path for them on Recall Question #2 was to just say ‘no, thanks.’ The decision was made based on strategic concerns about the money and muscle needed to save Gov. Gavin Newsom’s job; splitting up resources on backing a second candidate seemed to be less attractive than an all-out Get Out The Vote effort.
This choice has confused many otherwise well informed voters because it apparently contradicts the Democrats’ “vote, vote, vote” mantra. In recent days, the Democrat with the most name recognition, YouTuber (1.7 million followers) Kevin Paffrath began to get some traction.
Three Kevins and a Beast (that’s Cox’s campaign symbol) debated on Wednesday night in Sacramento. Paffrath was the first Democrat to appear in any televised multi-candidate forum. Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Assemblymember Kevin Kiley, and businessman John Cox represented Republican points of view.
Paffrath made convincing arguments for not voting for him. (via Politico)
Until last night, Paffrath’s objections had largely been confined to importuning the governor at Newsom campaign events and on social media, given that he hasn’t raised enough money to mount a statewide campaign. But on Wednesday night, in his first big appearance before the voting public at large, he offered some ideas that could charitably be called untested (and less charitably called untenable) and closed by calling on the Republicans onstage to drop out and endorse him.
He promised to pass legislation in his first 60 days that will get all the homeless people off the streets of California. I know the Governor can propose bills, and that he signs legislation voted on by the Senate and Assembly. I didn’t know the governor could “pass” legislation, mostly because they can’t. Also, California legislators are not referred to as “Congress.”
He promised to eliminate all taxes on Californians who earn less than $250,000. Is he aware that much taxation is a constitutional question. Or is this just more magic thinking about his fantasy of what a governor can accomplish?
And the Ross Perot Award for most fantastical idea goes to Paffrath for his promise to declare a state of emergency to start a pipeline to the Mississippi River in coordination with the federal government. Maybe they could get the same fine contractors who worked on Trump’s border wall...
For much of the rest of the debate, Paffrath spent the evening dancing around the positions coming from the Republicans on the stage. On the question of restricting development in high risk fire zones, GOP Assemblyman Kiley said Praffrath’s answer (no) proved that the recall was a bipartisan effort.
Paffrath did say he would build hundreds of thousands of homes in California, maybe even half a million a year. He added he would build them outside of large cities, having better infrastructure to connect the homes. Now there’s some magical thinking. Can we throw in free ponies for everybody?
Finally, there was his call for the other candidates on the stage to drop out of the race and endorse him to beat Larry Elder. Maybe THAT was too big an ask. Maybe he should have just asked people to subscribe to his YouTube page.
Ugh. Just vote NO on Question #1, and don’t waste time on question #2.
Whether you or I like the idea, the key to the Recall is turnout. The media claims Democrats are not interested.
The partisan breakdown of early balloting (actual votes aren’t counted yet) is telling another story, via Political Data, Inc:
2,380,359 ballots returned (11% of mailed ballots)
Democratic: 55% of those returned)
NPP/other: 23%
Republican: 22%
Notes of caution, beside the fact that not all the ballots have come in yet, are the really poor showings -- 5%-- from younger (under 34) and --6%-- Latino voters.
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