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As the first openly gay candidate in the history of the United States to be on a ballot as a Democrat for Governor of California, or any other State in the Union, I am appalled at the lack of consciousness of many in the gay community as to what is at stake. Monumental rights are at stake and the response has been tepid, at best.
In one fell swoop and in one day, a Republican can steal the governorship of California, the fifth largest economy in the world, with merely a small plurality of votes and set back gay rights for decades. Amazingly, the outcry in a community that can be hurt far greater than most is not mobilizing the forces necessary defeat this transparent attempt to defeat the will of the people.
It is with this backdrop that I decided to enter this race. Not to ask for your vote, WHICH I DO NOT WANT, but to get the message out that the Recall is wrong and very dangerous. Will you listen? Will you use your efforts to stop this travesty of justice and the bastardization of the democratic process? Will you rail against a wrong that may change your life? If I persuade you to do just that, my efforts will not be in vain.
Governor Gray Davis was elected by a majority of the citizens of the State of California. There are three years left in his term. He has done nothing illegal, nothing unconstitutional and he has been supportive of gay rights, a woman's right to choose, and gun control. He has pledged to sign AB 205 expanding partnership rights to new levels and has appointed the GLBT to positions of authority in his administration. His recall has no basis in fact or law. Why is this recall election really happening?
The truth is obvious. The recall is merely a tool of right wing Republicans who can't win an election fairly. Did you know that the Republicans didn't win one single statewide office last year when Governor Davis was re-elected? Did you know that this recall was started by a group of a few manipulative rich members of the Republican Party who began circulating petitions barely a month after Governor Davis took office? Do you remember that the process of demonizing an elected official by the Republican Party stalled national politics when the Republicans impeached President Clinton to lay the groundwork to capture the presidency of this country? Are memories in this country so short and vague? I hope not. If they are, I am here to remind you.
What are the real facts? Is Governor Davis to blame for the problems in California? Of course not! ! We know that forty-six other states in our country are running huge deficits. Why is this? We know that the dot.com bubble burst. We know that the California energy crisis was fueled by Enron and other energy companies, many in President Bush's home state of Texas, manipulating the California market to create a fake shortage and huge profits for themselves. We know that these same energy companies where huge financial supporters of the Republican Party. We know that President Bush's tax cuts and poor management of the economy have caused the loss of at least three million jobs since he was elected, leaving California's economy in turmoil. With tax revenues slashed, the budget is in the red. People have a right to be angry, but the anger is being misdirected. Do you want to allow a Republican to misdirect your anger against a duly elected Democratic Governor and blind you while your rights are stolen? I caution you against such dangerous foolishness.
First, and foremost, be aware this is the greatest bait and switch trick the Republican party has ever played. As I predicted from the outset, the Republicans have thrown out a host of candidates who, as with Bill Simon, will gracefully withdraw as Election Day comes nearer to solidify their votes for one candidate. Absent Arnold shooting himself in the foot, or some horrible secret coming out, that will be Arnold Schwarzenegger. They also are basking in that fact that over 100 other non-candidates will splinter the vote so that a small plurality of the vote might get this movie star elected. I reiterate that I predict that when October 7th arrives, only one viable Republican candidate will be standing, and that will, very dangerously, be Arnold. So what are your alternatives?
Let's start with Arnold. A Republican candidate, he has surrounded with himself with the same staff and advisors of the old vanguard of the Republican Party and others who couldn't win last year's election fairly. Despite his previous promises, he is now accepting millions of dollars in political contributions. As Governor, he would make 900+ political appointments to key executive offices, commissions, boards and, most importantly, the judiciary. As a Republican, and a neophyte politician, he would be relying heavily on those discredited Republican advisors who lost the last election to direct his administration's activities. The recent decision in Lawrence vs. Texas, overturning the horrific Bowers case, should give all of us pause before we even consider placing anyone without a track regard of proven support close to office, much less in the position of appointment. Celebrity doesn't mean talent, intelligence, or sound judgment. Being a Kennedy by marriage doesn't even get him the support of Senator Ted Kennedy, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, or others, who are strongly against the Recall and supporting Governor Davis. Finally, he is a California Republican. What does that mean?
The California Republican Party is on record, in writing, in its party Platform with the following tenants: Gay people don't deserve the same basic rights as other citizens; women should not have a right to choose; environmentalists are "extremists" and private business interests should be allowed to clean up the environment; major gun control is unconstitutional. With these positions embedded in the Republican platform, even here in California, Arnold is embracing President Bush, who walks to the drum of the national Republican Party, which is even more dogmatic. If elected, President Bush and the Republican Party will manipulate Arnold's celebrity status to revitalize the fading electoral base here in California and re-elect a President who is the greatest threat to equal rights in twenty years. Is this what you really want to happen?
With regard to State Senator McClintock, what can I say? If he stays in the race, I will be surprised, but not amazed. This self-righteous anti-gay, anti-woman's choice conservative is a non-choice for any progressive minded person who is not comatose. If he is in the race on election day, be prepared for an assault against Arnold in an attempt to fracture the election votes so severely that he may have a chance to win. If he IS elected, and you have failed to use every effort to defeat the Recall and his candidacy, your future will be the one you deserve.
Finally, with regard to the other candidates in the race that call themselves progressive or liberal, what are you thinking? You are aiding and abetting the theft of the governorship of California. How dare you profess to support the efforts of reform and equal rights while your very presence on the ballot seeking votes may place a Republican in office. Reject the recall and support a Democratic candidate truly capable of being elected.
Vote No on the Recall and Don't Vote for Me. After voting against the Recall, vote for the most qualified Democratic candidate that can really win and protect your rights. Nothing more is necessary, nothing less will do.
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