California’s message for Bush - ousted Davis shares many Bush traits

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.msnbc.com/news/977791.asp?0cv=CA00

Here’s why the national message is far more mixed than euphoric Republican strategists might have you believe:

Yes, Schwarzenegger’s triumph proved that Republicans can still win elections in California, the nation’s largest state, which has voted emphatically for Democrats in the last three Presidential elections. But Californians elected a Republican who is socially liberal, a supporter of gay rights, gun control, and abortion rights. President Bush is none of these.

‘The cheering has to be muted at the White House. After all, the headline was: Chief executive ousted because of big deficit.’

Yes, Californians voted out a candidate who they thought was captive to special interests that showered him with millions of dollars in contributions in return for favorable treatment. But Bush has now broken all fund-raising records, and Democrats are trying to make a 2004 campaign issue out of allegations that Administration officials funnel lucrative contracts to cronies and contributors.

Yes, Californians voted out an incumbent who failed to make the tough decisions to balance the budget. The pro-recall supporters included 47 percent of Hispanics and 46 percent of union members, according to an ABC News exit poll analysis. But another incumbent who has failed to make the tough decisions to balance the budget will be on the Presidential ballot next year.