By Scott Steward
A big shout out to the dedicated organizers who have put their shoulder into the Stop the Recall effort. They have created opportunities for volunteers to phone bank, friend bank, text, distribute yard signs, canvas and join the banner brigade to Stop the Recall.
Join them at indivisibleyolo.org. They are going to need all the help we can give them.
The recall comes at a difficult time. Although, it’s hard to imagine how a worse time would emerge. The pro Recall support consists of a lot of people with a lot of painful experiences. People from all walks want to express their pain. Gavin Newsom is not a symbol of someone who has experienced a lot of pain, so tossing him out of office seems only fair.
It’s scary how much sense that seems to make, except recalling Gavin Newsom would only make things worse. This will be a close election and Californians are going to need to keep their cool and not destroy a basically good governmental agenda in anger.
Officials are coming out of the woodwork to leverage favors from the Governor. Law enforcement like, LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva, are looking at the recall to get their way when it comes to dealing with petty crime, violent crime and the deepening homelessness crisis—their way—with force and incarceration. Law wants more law.
Construction wants more construction, developers want more development, property owners want more ownership. Each union and special interest is in this recall for something. Newsom is providing some of those groups with 
state dollars.
What is principle and what is political payola? We are not as sure because of the recall. What we are sure of is that the people who brought us this recall headache have jeopardized California’s public safety, social justice and climate action leadership.
What Gavin Newsom needs are lots of endorsements from working people, local leaders, business leaders and union organizers that have benefited from the many good policies that are California’s big advantage.
It’s not a secret. California likes to have a safety net and improve the lives of all its citizens. The country is in a world of hurt and California is seeing a big share of climate/economy refugees—on our streets and in our neighborhoods.
This is no time to put pain upon pain as it could be worse. California is influencing national policy by demonstrating how to take care of each other and help our law enforcement deal humanly with the homeless for the long haul.
We got in this mess because of sweep-it-under-the-rug policies. These are the put-people-last policies of most of the candidates that want to replace Gavin Newsom.
The anti-California crowd could not make their arguments stand up in the regular election. Now these national bad actors have seen an opportunity to upset the California apple cart.
We, who want California to be successful, do not have the wind at our back in this recall election. If this recall is successful, if too few voters turn out because they just want to not care about something (and I can relate), we are all going to suffer.
We are better than that. Let’s get through this, vote and vote “NO” on the 1st question on the ballot “should Gavin Newsom be recalled.” The second question, who to vote for, is not as important so long as you vote and vote no on the first question.
The 2nd question. There was agreement from a broad spectrum of pro-democracy candidates no to legitimize the recall by running. No serious-minded Democrat, Independent or otherwise is running.
Your ballot counts if you only answer question 1. You cannot write in Gavin Newsom for the second question. There are plenty of people voting NO on the first question and picking a “just in case” candidate for the second question. A lot of those who are picking a just-in-case candidate are picking Kevin Paffrath.
I’m not keen on voting for any of the candidates. Paffrath, who is better than most of the 46 bad choices, is very sure he can correct all that ails in 1 year. Better listen to his YouTube to get an idea. It’s novice gross exaggeration, but at least he is not going to burn down the capitol building.
Better to vote and vote “No” on question 1 and be done with it. We might need a better governor, but we don’t need a worse one.
Scott Steward is a Davis Resident
I’m hopeful. Most of the polls are close in the likely voter question but among all registered voters the recall loses big. With postage free return envelopes and ballots going to every voter all people need to do is fill out the ballot and put it in the mail.
encouraging
Ron and other readers. The polling is very close, within 5% points. I think the data is clear that the election could go either way with 50% needing to vote “No” on question 1 (should there be a recall).
The only Registered voter poll I saw shows 48% voting no and 43% voting yes. California Politics/Emerson College poll.
As much as I’d like to be encouraged, Stopping the Recall is far from decided.
Well if Newsome isn’t recalled, he is likely to not just serve his term, but also get reelected for “four more years!”
Expect that if you vote against the recall. If you vote in favor of the recall, be careful who you vote for… they’ll have a ‘leg up’ in 2022 elections… how strong a leg is questionable. But their term will otherwise end as of Jan 2023. ~16 months.
And 2 years later (mid-term), he’ll likely run for President.
I’ve voted and receipt of my vote has been acknowledged.
I urge all to VOTE! If you don’t, not listening to any complaint after the results are known, if you haven’t voted (assuming you’re eligible). You should “own” the responsibility for your vote(s). Or, failure to vote.
“And 2 years later (mid-term), he’ll likely run for President.”
Many are called, few are chosen.