California Recall Election: Direct Democracy or Chaos?

Interview with Micah Sifry, journalist and author, conducted by Scott Harris

With the required number of signatures collected, California, in economic freefall, is set to hold a rare election to recall its governor Oct. 7. The goal of the campaign, funded by wealthy Republican Congressman Darrell Issa is to oust unpopular Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. Although many states are facing economic crises and record deficits, California's budget shortfall is a whopping $35 billion, a deficit, caused in part, by manipulation of the deregulated energy market by companies like Enron.

Californians will be asked to vote yes or no on recalling Davis and given a choice of nearly 200 candidates to replace him. A media circus erupted after multi-millionaire actor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on the Tonight Show that he would be running as a Republican. Others filing papers to replace Davis are Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, independent commentator Arianna Huffington, former GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon Jr., former baseball commissioner and 1984 Olympic organizer Peter Ueberroth running as a Republican, Green Party candidate Peter Comejo - and pornographic magazine publisher Larry Flynt.

Although many Californians are not happy about the estimated $60 million it will take to run this complex election, public opinion polls predict that unless voter sentiment changes, Gray Davis may well be unemployed come October. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with journalist and author Micah Sifry, who frequently writes about voter disenchantment with the political status quo. He takes a look at the issues which led to California's recall election and the choices available for progressives.

Micah Sifry's book "Spoiling for a Fight: Third Party Politics in America," is published by Routledge. Related links:

"Perot Gears Up," by Micah Sifry, www.salon.com, Aug. 8, 2003

"The Iraq War Reader," co-editor Micah Sifry.

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: http://www.btlonline.org

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