Schwarzenegger Takes Lead, Voters Follow Their Instinct

Re “Majority Now Favors Recall; Schwarzenegger Leads Rivals,” Oct. 1:

It is hard to believe that a majority of California voters take the recall process so lightly that they are willing to cast a duly elected governor out of office because times are bad. This majority is unwilling to look critically at the pros and cons of such issues as the vehicle license fee and driver’s licenses for illegals, relying instead upon their “gut reaction” to them.

As if that is not incredible enough, it is beginning to look like our next governor is going to be a political novice with no well-considered positions on important issues except those that have been hastily contrived for surface appeal.

Stuart L. Olster

Sherman Oaks

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Re “Davis in a Risky Gambit,” news analysis, Sept. 30: As we all would expect, Gov. Gray Davis shows his true colors in the homestretch: slimy and muddy.

I and my family are Democrats back several generations because the party used to stand for something. Davis stands for nothing but his own obsessive desire to get elected to public office. He is not the governor of California. He is the governor only of those who write a big enough check to his election campaign, whereby he freely uses our tax money to fund their special interests. So he has to resort to sliming his opponent, for he has nothing “positive” to offer the rest of us citizens anyway. That’s how he stole the last election.

Maude Ham

Burbank

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Kenneth Khachigian (Commentary, Sept. 29) claims that Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante “slipped into office as a lightweight with lucky timing.” Does he actually believe that any of the opportunist gubernatorial Republican candidates will truly be deserving of the office? Bustamante was elected with a clear majority. Will any of the current candidates be able to make that claim?

Khachigian criticizes Bustamante for “nondescript demeanor and persona.” Arnold Schwarzenegger is certainly more interesting, but we are not electing a homecoming king. Finally, he criticizes Schwarzenegger for wanting to “stay positive.” This statement alone reveals Khachigian’s true colors.

Mark Goldberg

Los Angeles

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The Times says the recall is undemocratic (editorial, Sept. 28). There are 135 candidates, and the one with the most votes will probably be our new governor. Contrast this with the 2002 election for the state Assembly, state Senate and members of Congress. Practically every district was gerrymandered as a safe seat for one of the two major parties. The winners were picked months before by party bosses, and our votes were a mere formality.

The recall is very democratic. However, our 2002 elections were not much different from the old Soviet Union running one slate of candidates.

Bob Munson

Newbury Park

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I am increasingly sickened by the recall, as the latest example of the initiative process run amok. Issues that affect millions are put out to the highest bidder and the financiers of special interests. I am convinced the Republicans would vote for Bugs Bunny if they thought he had a chance. Their current front-runner is as much a cartoon. If I vote my conscience, I vote no on the recall. Period. If I vote my fears, I have to add a yes for Bustamante.

Erik Arnesen

Venice

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Why will I stand up and be counted for Arnold on Oct. 7? Because every time my daughter competed in the Special Olympics, Arnold stood up and was counted as one of the cheerleaders for all our handicapped kids. Character like that must be supported.

Greg Parkos

Venice

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We here in Minnesota are of two minds -- one says that California deserves its own Jesse Ventura buffoon, and the second asks, “How can we let them know the embarrassment this misplaced desire to elect the nonpolitician actor brings?”

A governor who reveals in an interview that he wants to come back in his next life as a “size 38 double D bra,” as Ventura did, is initially amusing. But given Arnold’s similarly foolish thought processes, you may come to regret your vote for him. I can no longer find anyone who admits to having voted for Ventura.

Larry Imhoff

Minneapolis