The Great 2003 California Recall Election

a true story

Over the past two months, I have made more than 40 blog entries about the California Recall election. I have done so as an interested observer, rather than a participant, because I work and reside in Arizona. California is, uh, my playground, so I am amused at the state's gubernatorial woes. (Arizona has had her share of problems in the state house.) I do however feel for my California domiciled friends and aquaintances, Jose, Marty, Casey, Margaret, Charlie, the thin old lady in Robert's Cottages, Lauren, Ron, Mrs. Ron, ... et. al. - oh yeah, and Al.

In fact the whole state is about to move into a twilight zone, politically speaking. Will Schwarzenegger try to deliver the state to Bush in 2004?

Here is the story as it appeared to me:

July

• Darrell Issa makes a brief appearance in an unrelated story.
• I goad Arnold to join several other candidates.
• Bill Mahr. Need I say more?

August

• I try to draft my own egomonkey candidate.
• But fail due to Arnold's Tonight Show entry.
• Davis prepares for a fight. (two gun photo and my first list)
• Davis speeds while 158 candidates file to oppose him. Propositions too.
• I start a list to check out the candidates ...
• Liberia's Charles Taylor does aArnold at his going away party.
• The recall conspiracy - watch Issa's fate.
• Kevin Shelley's authoritative website and Tsangares's blog.
• Schwarzenegger's views are ...
• I create "The Ultimate California Gubernatorial Recall Candidate List".
• And collect over 100 photos of the candidates.
• Keep them up-to-date ...
• Then the candidates and their handlers come acallin'.
• A joke, a cartoon and Bill Simon wants to quit.
• Polls, quitters and Arianna gets on Mahr.
• Other lists of candidates compete with mine.

September

• No gender gap for Mr. McCormick!
• The problem with California is ... (history)
• A Cobb cartoon about Bustamante.
• The incredible diversity of the candidates
• Ueberoth also wants to quit.
• Arnold's problems and my confession.
• Davis and Bustamante meet in public for the first time.
• But wait! The Ninth Circuit Court has stopped the recall ...
• ... and the bloggers are getting restless.
• The court reconsiders and I get mentioned in the Washington Post.
• The Arizona Model starring Doonsbury's Evan Mecham
• And it's back on track!
• Updates, principles and motives
• Voter recommendations and where the power lies.

October

• Listen to what the candidates aren't saying.
• First call, six days before voting, following a poll.
• It's become a two man race - and Arnold's motives.
• Last minute propaganda information for voters.
• 'Twas the night before election ..."
• Where to follow the count
• And the winner is ...
• Rankings. (Almost) everybody's a winner!
• Wrap-up. Please comment on this post here.