NYT: Davis says Republicans are trying to steal an election

New York Times

Gov. Gray Davis pleaded with Californians on Tuesday to reject the attempt to recall him, calling it part of a national effort by Republicans "to steal elections they cannot win." ---

In his speech, his first on the election, Davis made veiled apologies for mishandling the state's energy and budget crises but argued that he had been hampered by Republicans and a "massive fraud" by energy trading companies and that replacing him would only worsen the situation. "There are many reasons to be against this recall," he said. "It is expensive, undemocratic, a bad precedent and almost certainly will breed more recalls."

He added, "The Republicans behind the recall say they want you to vote me out because of past mistakes. But they don't give a rip about past mistakes. They want power for the future and, with so many candidates, they think they can get it with the support of a tiny fraction of California voters."

Davis vowed to devote the next seven weeks to fighting the recall and the next three years -- if he is allowed to remain in office -- to improving the lot of all Californians. ---

Ride Don’t Drive It’s Global Cool

Stop the Recall ..Vote No !

there. He needs to keep this up everyday, and the Dems need to get ads out driving this issue home, that the GOP is out to steal as many elections as possible, since they cannot win them on their own.

eom

it's finally being said.

Recalls, redistricting, resupremes - all part of the plan for the new one party system.

and deserves the support of Democrats everywhere, period.

Same as I didn't care if Clinton got convicted and removed from office. Almost exactly 5 years ago today Clinton gave that "Nobody's business" address that made me stand up and cheer in my living room. He gave that speech TO me and FOR me, same as Gray did tonight.

All I care about is for my Dems to be stand-up ANGRY guys and go down fighting these scumbag motherfucking cheating pissant Republican cowards. Fuck them.

Davis is a Vietnam Vet. Arnold is a steroid-pumped cartoon caricature of a "tough guy." Who do you want in your foxhole?

I wish IEM had a contract on this election, because I'd go long Gray. I'm betting he beats the recall outright now.

As Bustamante pointed out this afternoon, the voters elected him to replace the governor should something happen to the governor. I haven't heard a single Repuke suggest that the governor should be removed and then the voters' wishes should be honored by installing the governor's elected replacement.

It's a coup.