Texas And California Competing For The 2003 Banana Republic Award

[acropolis]

I'm sure you don't care about US politics, but it is just getting sad.

In Texas, the state senate democrats all fled to New Mexico to avoid allowing the quorum necessary to redistrict the democrats out of Texas. The governor of NM (a democrat) had to put police protection around their hotel because some of the Republicans in Texas were looking to hire bounty hunters to kidnap them from NM and bring them back.

But that's not the sad part.

The sad part is that this is the second time this year that this has happened in Texas (the first was in the state house, and they fled (like 50 or 60 of them) to OK).

In California, they just recalled their governor, who just began his term in January. But it gets pretty ugly there too. Because in California, it only takes a couple thousand signatures and a couple thousand dollars to get on the ballot, it looks like more than 100 different candidates will be on the ballot this time around. And as only a plurality is required, someone could win with less than 1% of the popular vote.

[ChubbyChecker]

Go Arnie!
He could get 1% easy!

[Marilyn Manson]

Originally posted by acropolis
And as only a plurality is required, someone could win with less than 1% of the popular vote.

Hardly likely, unless everybody in California votes for a different candidate.

[ChubbyChecker]

Don't you have to be a millionaire or some such to become a governer? I think I remember reading that somewhere.

[MrL_JaKiri]

Originally posted by ChubbyChecker
Don't you have to be a millionaire or some such to become a governer? I think I remember reading that somewhere.

That's probably campaign costs dear.

[Lord Talon]

Originally posted by acropolis
...in California, it only takes a couple thousand signatures and a couple thousand dollars to get on the ballot, it looks like more than 100 different candidates will be on the ballot this time around. And as only a plurality is required, someone could win with less than 1% of the popular vote.

I thought the news today said you only needed $3500 + the signatures of 65 registered voters (I could be wrong, though)

[acropolis]

Originally posted by Marilyn Manson
Hardly likely, unless everybody in California votes for a different candidate.

Of course it's unlikely.

But who is actually going to be collecting any big chunk of votes?

It's a huge democrat state, but the democrats aren't going to let any democrat run because they have the governor. And the governor isn't allowed to put his name on the ballot. So what's left is a few dozen republicans (big names like arnie and riordan and simon don't look like they are running) led by Issa, the car thief, none of whom is popular, and maybe 100 third party candidates, obviously none of whom are popular.

It ugly.

Originally posted by Lord Talon
I thought the news today said you only needed $3500 + the signatures of 65 registered voters (I could be wrong, though)

That does sound right.

Apologies for my anti-exageration.

[Tactitus]

Originally posted by acropolis
I'm sure you don't care about US politics, but it is just getting sad.

In Texas, the state senate democrats all fled to New Mexico to avoid allowing the quorum necessary to redistrict the democrats out of Texas. The governor of NM (a democrat) had to put police protection around their hotel because some of the Republicans in Texas were looking to hire bounty hunters to kidnap them from NM and bring them back.

But that's not the sad part.

The sad part is that this is the second time this year that this has happened in Texas (the first was in the state house, and they fled (like 50 or 60 of them) to OK).

Heh. Redistricting is a bitch.

In California, they just recalled their governor, who just began his term in January.

Actually, I believe the California supreme court just ruled that a recall election could go forward. I don't believe they've recalled anyone yet.

But it gets pretty ugly there too. Because in California, it only takes a couple thousand signatures and a couple thousand dollars to get on the ballot, it looks like more than 100 different candidates will be on the ballot this time around. And as only a plurality is required, someone could win with less than 1% of the popular vote.

They could, but that doesn't seem particularly likely. The only wrinkle is whether or not the Democrats choose to field a candidate or pin their hopes on Davis. Even if the Democrats splinter I don't see any reason why the Republicans would choose to follow suit. The Republicans will almost certainly run (e.g., endorse) a single candidate who will most likely get a large percentage of the vote, if not an outright majority. The only question is who that candidate will be.

[Sandsnake]

in further news, Larry Flynt has announced his candidacy for California Governor during the recall.

This is going to be extremely amusing to watch.

***dammit, I need to learn to spell...

[acropolis]

Originally posted by Sandsnake
in further news, Larry Flynt has announced his candidacy for California Governer during the recall.

This is going to be extremely amusing to watch.

I'd vote for him twice before I'd let Issa get in.

PS: Huffington sounds officially 'in'

[Lord Talon]

Originally posted by acropolis
. . .
That does sound right.

Apologies for my anti-exageration.

np, I wasn't trying to be a pedant, I just wanted to point out that it was even easier to get on the ballot than what you had originally posted (which probably wouldn't have been too tough anyway)

[acropolis]

Originally posted by Lord Talon
np, I wasn't trying to be a pedant, I just wanted to point out that it was even easier to get on the ballot than what you had originally posted (which probably wouldn't have been too tough anyway)

I wasn't calling you a pedant, I was just noting that the standard thing to do was to exagerate the facts, not change them the wrong way by a couple orders of magnitude.

The scary part is that even adding two OofM it would still be way too easy.

[Woof]

I think the UN should be called in to supervise elections in america, like they do in South Africa, as they can't be trusted on their own.

[ChubbyChecker]

Originally posted by MrL_JaKiri
That's probably campaign costs dear.

mmm... guess I was wrong.

And don't call me dear