How a Recall Favors Nonpartisan Politics

“And One Day Pigs Will Fly,” by Peter King (Commentary, Aug. 27), nails the recall jelly to the wall but ignores the one serious reason voters of all stripes may vote yes on a new governor. It turns on your view of the best solution to our (primarily) economic problems. If your answer is to give Gov. Gray Davis a strengthened hand, vote no on the recall; if your answer is any other, vote yes. The circus of candidates is a distraction from the real question that could lead even Democrats to support the recall.

John Berard

San Francisco

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Politics has for too long been dominated by partisans, leaving independents out of the picture. That is why I love the recall process. It preempts primaries and gives the voters at large their rightful say. That is also why I support Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has advisors and takes positions on both sides of the aisle, working for the support of the people rather than for the parties. We need that sort of independence in Sacramento, and I hope he wins.

Dave Lincoln

Panorama City

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As a New York state resident I am a little cynical about Gov. George Pataki making a trip to California to campaign for Schwarzenegger. Why would the governor of New York take time from his busy schedule to campaign for a candidate for governor of California? We have problems in New York that need attention. Does he like Schwarzenegger that much or is this action part of a larger agenda?

Rick Braile

Patchogue, N.Y.

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The governor’s claim that the recall is a power grab is probably true. That’s the way it is with politics. Still, there was a reason why the recall ball was so easy to get rolling. Now, there will not be enough time to stop it. Nor will there be enough time for logical choices such as Peter Ueberroth or state Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) to come to the forefront. So, it will boil down to a choice between Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante with the same old crooks and Schwarzenegger with a new set of crooks. Either way, the desired housecleaning will be negligible. That’s the way it is with politics.

Robert Bartow

Calabasas

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Re “Former Davis Donors Give to Rivals; Schwarzenegger Breaks Money Vow,” Aug. 26: So, apparently the first thing to be terminated was Schwarzenegger’s promise not to take money from anyone. It may not be in the same quantities that Davis or the others have taken (yet), but as the old joke goes, we know what you are, Arnold. Now we’re just dickering over how much.

Robin Russin

Los Angeles

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My heartfelt thanks for “Budget Plan Risky, Official Warns” (Aug. 23), on the cost of bonds. This article should have been on the front page, because that annual $100 million-plus is the real cost of the recall, not the mere $60 million to $70 million. Worse, the real story of the recall will be the continuing uncertainty in capital markets. On Oct. 8, or whenever a determination of a “winner” is certified, the odds are good that a recall redux will be launched by the disgruntled opposition.

Kirk Knight

Alameda