Major Candidates to Be Invited to Debate

The Los Angeles Times and CNN announced Wednesday that they will jointly sponsor a debate among the major candidates running for governor in California’s recall campaign.

The debate will be held in Los Angeles on Sept. 30, one week before the Oct. 7 recall election. CNN will air the debate live, beginning at 6 p.m. PDT.

Gov. Gray Davis and active candidates on the California ballot who have garnered the support of at least 10% of likely voters in Los Angeles Times or Field polls will be invited to participate.

The debate will be carried nationwide on CNN and made available live to CNN’s 59 broadcast affiliates in California.

It will air in Spanish on CNN en Espanol and CNN en Espanol Radio.

Green Party Candidate to Unveil Budget Plan

Green Party candidate Peter Miguel Camejo plans to release his budget plan for California at a news conference in San Francisco today.

Camejo says he will be the only major candidate to propose reversing cutbacks in services and education.

Camejo will also present a plan to help stimulate the economy, he said, by making California a pioneer in solar energy technology, just as the state has become a leader in microchip and computer technology.

The budget plan documents will be available on the campaign Web site, www.votecamejo.org .

2 Former Governors Offer Their Perspectives

Two former California governors who managed to complete two terms despite recall rumors and dissension responded to questions recently about what advice they would have for embattled Davis.

Jerry Brown and George Deukmejian were asked to weigh in on what Davis faces in the recall election.

“Nothing compares,” said Brown, who is now the mayor of Oakland. “It’s what I call ‘Davis versus Goliath.’ ”

Deukmejian said, “When I was governor, there were times when somebody would say, ‘We ought to recall the governor,’ but nothing ever materialized or went forward with it.”

The 65-year-old Brown, who led the state from 1975 to 1983, is against the recall and backs Davis, his chief of staff when Brown was governor.

As to advice for Davis, Brown said, “I would take several days off and do some serious soul-searching. He has to be utterly fearless.”

Deukmejian, 75, governor from 1983 to 1991, is observing the race and considering endorsement requests.