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Fresno County team races to gather signatures for recall election Katz doesn't use the tips listed on a Stop the Recall Web site (www.stoptherecall.com): Engage petition collectors in conversation to keep them from their work, stand in front of the table to inhibit activity, complain to store management about the people camped out front, remind potential signers that "a bunch of right-wing conservative Republicans ... who can't win an election fairly" are behind the recall effort. Olson says that while Bay Area petition collectors report an organized effort to intimidate and hassle them, here in the Valley it's been mostly smooth. He said only a Lemoore collector reported that a man threatened to beat him if he didn't pack up his table in front of a grocery store. Porter says he wishes for someone to debate him. He has his arguments ready. But all he gets are those wanting to line up to personally apply their boot to the governor's posterior. "How many times can I do this? Can I use his Social Security to sign again?" asks Michael Sharp of Fresno, pointing to his 4-year-old son. "Davis has only lied about a million times. He's going to ruin California." Pamela Poth of Santa Clara says she's a Democrat and she didn't like or trust Davis, even before the energy crisis. Porter commiserates and crows: "I love this stuff. I get to complain all day, then I go home and sleep like a baby." Frederick Showalter, a Fresno property manager who lives in Yosemite Lakes Park, echoes the complaints about money, about trust. "I think he [Davis] is fiscally irresponsible. ... I can't understand why he got re-elected." Showalter wants to know what happens next if enough signatures are collected. "I'm glad you asked," Porter says. "The lieutenant governor has 20 days to call for a special election. Then we get to do three things. One, we vote on do we want to recall Gray Davis. Two, we write in who we want to be governor. And three, we vote on a list of people who aspire to take over the job. Now, you know lots of people aren't going to even say they're interested until this gets on the ballot." Showalter says, "Get Schwarzenegger on it, and he can whip anybody." Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger's name as a Davis replacement comes up over and over in conversation around Porter's table. Schwarzenegger, however, has not announced whether he would run for governor in the event that the recall qualifies. Porter nods in agreement with Showalter but tells him that better than getting a new governor is the message a recall sends: "I just love that idea that we're grabbing California from San Francisco to L.A. and shaking 'em, telling politicians, 'If you don't represent the interests of the constituents, we will fire you.' "
The reporter can be reached at ekennedy@fresnobee.com or 441-6197.
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