Rescue California

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Issa stakes his future on timely Davis recall
He says he'll give up gubernatorial bid if measure isn't on fall ballot.

June 12, 2003

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attempt to trade in a movie career for the governor's job. Schwarzenegger has been coy about his future plans. Issa said he has talked to him and the actor is supporting his recall efforts. That's as far as he'll go on that subject.

Issa is fully aware he could be instrumental in getting an initiative on the ballot that could remove Davis from office yet replace him with another Democrat.

"Replacing him with any conceivable alternative candidate" would be acceptable, Issa said.

One Democrat who politicians on both sides of the aisle will be watching is California's Sen. Dianne Feinstein, seen as perhaps the most formidable potential candidate. "The senator opposes the recall," is all Feinstein's aides will say about whether she would be willing to go on the ballot in the event the recall is qualified.

"I don't think any good Democrat will play into the Republicans' hands by putting their name on the ballot," said Davis adviser Roger Salazar in a view not shared by many Democrats.

"The ugly truth about California's initiative system is with enough money you can qualify anything for the ballot," Salazar said. "Without Darrell Issa's funding, this thing was dead. There's still a question if they'll ultimately succeed."

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Staff writer John Howard contributed to this story.

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