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<td width="343" valign="bottom"><p class="date"><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="date" --><a href="default.html">10/3/03 • Vol.
127, No. 17</a><!-- InstanceEndEditable --></p></td>
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<h1>Recall result could spell national consequences</h1>
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<p class="byline">—Art by Gayle Sherwood</p>
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<p class="byline">So it goes... by Nick Berman</p>
<p> WE ALL HAVE definite feelings about Gray Davis’ possible recall.
Maybe he should be taken out of office and replaced by another candidate,
possibly by a conservative, or maybe he should be left to finish out
his term. </p>
<p> We all have a very real concern as to how it will affect each of us
as California residents, and will have either a welcomed positive result
or a very deprecating aftermath. A key consideration will also be the
power of the party that occupies the governor’s office, especially
when the presidential election arrives. </p>
<p> We all remember from our political science class—or from Fox News—that
incumbents have a greater strength than those running to replace them.
This is key reason why most incumbents receive a much larger cut of campaign
contributions from corporations and political action groups. With more
money, the acting officials are able to strengthen their hold on their
particular office.</p>
<p> This natural strength, enhanced by “quid pro quo” contribution
system, will give the new candidate a monumental task that only swells
as the power of office grows. An illustration to clarify this idea would
be the idea of placing a new president in office, even though the presiding
one has one more term that can be served.</p>
<p> LET’S SAY WE HAVE a president in office—a republican for
the sake of argument—that may not particularly care for our state
or the affairs that are encompassed within it—especially the economy.
Let’s say that this president, who hails from a more conservative
state, is looking to clinch his victory and crush the democratic opposition
by taking a state that votes democrat the majority of the time, what
would be the perfect tool to secure a massive amount of electoral votes?
Could it be accomplished by installing a republican governor?</p>
<p> THROUGH THE POWER of incumbency, when a particular political party
is in the Oval Office, the House of Representatives and the Senate usually
share that affiliation when congressional elections occur. California
would make a handy source of votes for President Bush and the republican
that handed over that state. After turning its democratic voting tide,
hypothetically to President Bush, would have won the favor of the most
powerful person in the free world. That republican would also have
their
political party in their corner for the next election, whatever it
might be. </p>
<p> WHAT MIGHT FOUR more years of George W. Bush mean? Beside oodles
of jokes for Letterman, Conan and Leno, it could mean the abolishment
of Roe v.
Wade. For those who think that is too farfetched, I suggest you look
to the Supreme Court and note that two justices are retiring soon,
and who gets to appoint new justices? The president. Who confirms
the appointments?
Congress. Both of which are republican and would have the same political
objectives. What about a bill opposing same-sex unions? With four
years securely attained, nothing will stop Bush from enacting such legislation,
especially with a House and Senate backing his whims. </p>
<p> THE CALIFORNIA RECALL is a vital part of the future of our wonderfully-liberal
state. We must recognize the connotations that our votes will enable
and promote. A vote for Cruz Bustamante may help put Bush in check
while a vote for a more conservative candidate might give him free rein.</p>
<p> —
This columnist can be reached at collegian@csufresno.edu</p>
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