Brian Flemming for Governor

August 6, 2003 1:03 PM

"If elected, I will resign." Probably the most unusual campaign promise ever made, this time by a potential candidate in the California governor's recall race -- Brian Flemming argues that Democrats are guilty of bringing a "feather to a gunfight" and is openly courting the vote of people who are "furious about this right-wing recall."
posted by bclark (13 comments total)

Personal disclaimer: I've known Brian for some time and been involved with some of his past project, although I am not a California citizen or working with his campaign. He actually told me about this weeks ago ("Hey, Brian, I'm going to run for governor!") and I kind of chaulked it up to another hair-brained/brilliant idea of his as a provocateur, but it was my first real exposure to how twisted and covoluted the sideshow of California recall politics has become.
posted by bclark at 1:07 PM on August 6, 2003

And this helps un-convolute the situation how?
posted by turbodog at 1:17 PM on August 6, 2003

I was told that 43% of the people who singed the petition were democrats. Is this true? (not a troll, just a serious question w/ no time to do my own research).
posted by tomplus2 at 1:18 PM on August 6, 2003

Vote for None of the Above.
posted by grabbingsand at 1:21 PM on August 6, 2003

CaliforniaRecallElectionFilter - CaREF
posted by Witty at 1:26 PM on August 6, 2003

Hello. I am Brian Flemming, I would like to inflict on you "Nothing So Strange," (quicktime link) my feature-length documentary about the assassination of Bill Gates, which debuted at Slamdance in January 2002 and has appeared at several film festivals in the past year...
posted by bureaustyle at 1:43 PM on August 6, 2003

A more worthy candidate?
posted by herc at 1:49 PM on August 6, 2003

Naw, I really don't think Flemming is doing this to shill "Nothing So Strange" (which I'm involved with) -- he really is hopping mad over the whole affair in California and figures this is the easiest way to ensure that the Lt. Gov. ends up with the job if the recall actually passes.
posted by bclark at 1:55 PM on August 6, 2003

While many Republicans in California are down right giddy about this, continuing to call this a "right-wing recall" shows that you are out of touch with reality.

Last I read, polls were heading north towards 60% supporting a recall, and since California is a heavily Democratic leaning state, that means it can't all be right-wingers for the recall.

Californians very well may elect for another Democrat, and recall Davis who seems to be in denial about the motives behind the movement.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 2:06 PM on August 6, 2003

turbodog: the questions being asked at the voting booth will be 'do you want to recall the governor?' and 'who should replace the governor if he is recalled?'

This guy is giving you a way to say 'no, i don't want grey davis recalled, but if he is, i want it to be another democrat'.
posted by mosch at 2:28 PM on August 6, 2003

We had someone run for Dept. Governor here in Washington State on a platform of doing one and only one thing if she was elected to office: immediately abolishing the wasteful and unnecessary position of Detp. Governor. Alas, she did not win.
posted by Shadowkeeper at 2:31 PM on August 6, 2003

"If elected, I will resign": that's what Sulla said.

mosch: but that sounds like having your cake and eating it to. If Davis is indeed recalled, the Democrats (or anyone for that matter) can't just substitute their own next favorite into the position. They have to take their chances with the electorate like everyone else.
posted by turbodog at 3:36 PM on August 6, 2003

turbodog: it's only having your cake and eating it too if the public votes for it.

Personally I think the recall is a joke, at least I hope it is. Because if it isn't, we're damned to eternal elections.
posted by mosch at 7:06 PM on August 6, 2003