Calif. Replacement Race Could Be a Free-for-All
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California's state Supreme Court has cleared the last obstacle to a recall vote of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis (search), and the race to replace him is sure to become a political scrum.
"You're talking about a total free-for-all, an election where anything can happen, not a lot of time for strategic planning," said Democratic political consultant Darry Sragow. "It's a situation in which it's very difficult to choose a strategy because you're not talking about two candidates going head-to-head and someone's got to get a majority."
The California court refused to hear Davis supporters' allegations that the signatures needed to force a recall election were gained fraudulently. A Los Angeles court has agreed to take the case on Aug. 8 and the Supreme Court could be forced to take the case.
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But as of now, the Oct. 7 recall election is going on as scheduled. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (search) did not say whether he will hold a replacement election that would coincide with Davis' ouster, but prospective candidates must file their intent to run in the next two weeks.
That means a host of Republican wannabe governors must make a decision nearly as difficult as solving California's $38 billion budget crisis, which forced Davis to a recall in the first place.
"I haven't made my mind up. As I said, I would support Arnold Schwarzenegger (search) in a second if he ran. I think he is sensational and if he doesn't run then I will have to make up my mind," said former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan (search).
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As for Bill Simon, the businessman who lost the general election to Davis just nine months ago, he has not made a decision publicly, but is stumping around the state gauging public support.
"Davis has a 20 percent approval rating, which means 80 percent think he's not doing a good job. We know one thing for sure, 80 percent of the state are not right wing," Simon said.
The latest name to tell Fox News that he is considering a run is former vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp (search), who is shopping for homes in southern California. Calls are reportedly being made to measure potential support for Kemp.
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Political commentator Arianna Huffington has also been named a potential replacement. Huffington supporters have started a Web site encouraging her candidacy.
For now, the only declared candidate is Rep. Darrell Issa (search), R-Calif., who bankrolled the recall drive with $1.7 million of his own money. State Sen. Tim McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, has said he is forming an exploratory committee to weigh his chances.
The Golden State is in a holding pattern with everyone waiting for Schwarzenegger to make a decision. He is supposed to make his intentions known next week, his publicist said.
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California Democrats maintain that they are behind Davis 100 percent, and won't field a candidate, leaving Democrats to decide between choosing to keep Davis or voting for a "right wing" candidate.
But if Schwarzenegger enters the race, Democrats are preparing behind the scenes to have a big name take him on.
Fox News' Katie Cobb and the Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was originally published on July 25, 2003.