Why Both Sides Hate the Calif. Recall

Aug. 11 -- — Since January, when Californians began gathering signatures to oust Gov. Gray Davis, the Democratic establishment has opposed the idea.

"We stand firmly, 100 per cent behind Gray Davis — no ifs, ands, or buts," Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said on July 17.

So Republican officials must love the idea, right?

Wrong.

"Our position is: We're not involved in it at this point," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan on July 25.

Why not? Democrats obviously hate the idea of one of their own being removed from office. But surely, the White House would love to have Davis replaced by a Republican in time for the 2004 election, no?

Not necessarily.

"If a Republican does win and … [the] economy has not turned around substantially in the state of California, that could go against them in the next presidential election," says Dane Waters, president and co-chairman of the Initiative & Referendum Institute.

Dangerous Terrain

More generally, many in the GOP see the recall as dangerous terrain.

"It takes the power out of the zone [professional politicians] are comfortable with … and puts it in the hands of the people," says Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, and a close friend of the White House. "Whether you're Republican or Democrat, this is frightening."

"Both the RNC and DNC probably wish that this recall effort wasn't taking place," Waters adds.

The lack of a playbook for the current situation in the Golden State is unsettling to many political officials. Politicians regardless of party blanch at the idea of this unprecedented move to recall a governor and replace him on the same ballot. California politics has become circus-like … and it's bound to get even more unpredictable.

Norquist adds that the recall seems to violate a sort of gentleman's agreement about political wars, one that recalls the Battle of Waterloo between the forces commanded by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington.