by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright September 6, 2003
All Rights Reserved.

trutting their stuff for the first time together on stage, the leading recall candidates for governor, without GOP frontrunner Arnold Schwarzenegger, showcased their talents in the first of six scheduled televised debates. But before the debate began, Gov. Gray Davis was given a full half-hour to make his case why voters shouldn't toss him out of office. Davis awkwardly portrayed the recall as a right wing power grab, attempting to reverse last November's election, where he bested conservative GOP candidate William “Bill” Simon Jr. by 5%. Asking for three more years, Davis promised he would do things differently, promptly signing a controversial bill giving illegal aliens driver licenses Friday, Sept. 5. “The biggest thing I would change is to stay connected to the people of the state,” declared Davis, reluctantly admitting that he had angered voters.

      Making a concerted attempt to smile and look down-to-earth, Davis repeated familiar talking points about “right wing power grabs,” “humbling experiences,” and “he wouldn't wish the recall on his worst enemy,” all designed to flash his “human” side to defeat the recall. Though he sucked it up, his performance probably won't change too many minds. Arnold's no-show didn't help his cause, fueling concerns that the onetime champion bodybuilder and Hollywood actor fears debating, according to recall candidate, TV pundit and syndicated columnist Ariana Huffington. Scheduled to debate only on Sept. 24—where the questions were given in advance—Schwarzengger's absence raises unwanted concerns about his credentials. Arnold spoke to a raucous crowd at Cal. State Long Beach where he was hit with an egg, claiming he missed the debate because he attended his kid's parent-teacher conference.

      Wednesday's debate, sponsored by KTUV-TV in Walnut Creek, featured an informal format, where candidates sat on fancy barstools, briefly answering questions from two local reporters. For the most part, liberal Democrat Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, Green Party's vociferous Peter Camejo, Independent columnist Ariana Huffington, moderate Republican Peter Ueberroth and conservative GOP State Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) all performed without major gaffes, taking swipes at each other, Davis.and Schawarzenegger, for his unwillingness to debate. While most experts think McClintock gained the most, it was Bustamante who appeared more professional and knowledgeable than originally billed, especially by conservatives. Both McClintock and Bustamante appeared equally credible—and likeable—though sharing opposite views about where to take the state.

      Sparks began to fly when Huffington blasted Bustamante for taking $2 million from the Indian gaming industry. “It is nothing but legalized bribery. You have made a mockery of campaign finance laws by using a ludicrous loophole to get that money into your campaign,” barked Huffington, nailing Bustamante for his close ties to Indian tribes. “Tell me how you really feel,” Cruz quipped, trying to make light of Arnold's major gripe that the state has been sold off to special interests. Too bad that Schwarenegger ducked the debate, which would have given him a golden opportunity to prove his point. For the nearly 1.5 million statewide viewers, they were treated to an up-close look at the most popular candidates in California's historic election. More than issues, viewers saw firsthand how candidates handled pressure. Each candidate was wrenched out of safe, pre-rehearsed sound-bites into spontaneous exchanges.

      Bustamante and McClintock showed good command of the issues, displaying media savvy and polish from years of facing the cameras in the legislature and senate. Ariana, while articulate and neatly attired, sounded strained and mired by her heavy accent, detracting from an otherwise incisive message, conveyed best in her written columns. Peter Ueberroth, the once dashing entrepreneur, whose success organizing the 1984 Olympics made him a kind of modern day folk hero, looked over-the-hill and nearing retirement. “Ueberroth's passivity makes him a non-viable candidate,” said Robert Gnaizda, general counsel for Greenling Institute, which represents racial minorities. Green Party's Peter Camejo couldn't stop lecturing, sounding more like Ralph Nader than a candidate for governor. While passionate, Camejo doesn't have a clue when to stop spouting off.

      As for winners and losers, Bustamante and McClintock both scored points, which is bad news for Arnold Schwarzenegger. By ducking the debate, Arnold raises more doubts about his credibility, but more importantly character, unwilling to step up to the plate and give it his best shot. “Ideologically, I disagree with Tom McClintock on almost everything, but I found him very impressive,” said USC liberal law professor Erwin Chemerinsky, spelling trouble for Arnold down the road. Regardless of his numbers, conservatives won't pressure McClintock to bail out anytime soon, meaning that the GOP vote should remain split on election day. If Ueberroth stops dreaming, he might throw in the towel and endorse Arnold, assuming, of course, “The Terminator” doesn't shoot himself in the foot. With Davis going down and without Ueberroth coming to his senses, Bustamante has to like what he sees.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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