Rescue California

-0

Transcript of gubernatorial recall debate

September 24, 2003

(09-24) 21:42 PDT (AP) --

Here is a transcript of Wednesday's debate between the California gubernatorial candidates, sponsored by the California Broadcasters Association at California State University, Sacramento.

The participants were Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, Green Party candidate Peter Camejo, independent candidate Arianna Huffington, Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. The moderator was Stan Statham.

MODERATOR: What do you think of this recall, Mr. Schwarzenegger?

SCHWARZENGGER: I think it is a great idea, and I thank God every day that we have Hiram Johnson that created this more than 90 years ago. His intention was to create this recall because of special interests controlling politicians, which is exactly what is the case today. And when six million people have signed the recall petition, they basically have said we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore. And the 60 percent of the people have said in the polls that they want to have a recall, so it is terrific that the people's will is being acted out.

MODERATOR: Let's take this question, just down the line. From this point forward, jump in after the question is first answered.

McCLINTOCK: The recall is there so that people can correct a mistake that was made at the ballot box. Our entire form of government is based on the assumption that more than half the people are right more than half of the time. That doesn't mean that every now and then they're not entitled to make a mistake. The re-election of Gray Davis and the course that he has taken this state down was a mistake and it must be corrected. We cannot afford to go down this road another three years. It has led our state to the brink of bankruptcy, and despite the highest percentage of personal income being spent in the history of California and less to show than any administration in the history of California.

CAMEJO: This recall exists because we have a crisis in California. There's no question that in the last five years we have the highest income the state has ever had, and instead of ending up with a surplus we ended up with this disastrous deficit. The polls have taken the governor, Gov. Davis, down to 22 percent and that can't be done by the Republicans alone. They were only 35 percent of the registered voters. So we do have a crisis here. And this election is the worst election we've ever had and best election we've ever had. Why the best? Because the public has really gotten a chance to see more than two points of view. To all of a sudden have two candidates here who are not Democrats or Republicans... And it's the worst because we don't have a runoff system. We have no way for the will of electorate. ...

MODERATOR: Thank you. If we can make this as quickly as possible. Arianna Huffington, what do you think of the recall?

HUFFINGTON: I'm troubled that Darrell Issa could spend close to $2 million to collect signatures, paid signature gatherers. There are a lot of elements which are troubling. But nevertheless there is an unprecedented, historic opportunity here to elect an independent progressive governor on a simple plurality. And the state desperately needs that because the two party political system is dropping and that opportunity will not come again in a. ...