With about 55 percent voting to recall former Gov. Gray Davis, political novice and Republican candidate Arnold Schwarzeneggar came out on the top of the California recall election, capturing 3,692,786 votes with 100 percent precincts reporting. Democratic candidate Cruz Bustamante followed with 2,420,721 votes and Republican candidate Tom McClintock came in third with 1,014,378 votes. Earl Warren College junior and candidate Daniel Watts garnered 1,747 votes, placing 39th.
Reactions to the election results varied among students.
“”We’re disappointed this attempt to hijack the government succeeded,”” said Kate Maull, president of the College Democrats. “”We’re worried, and we have no idea what [Schwarzenegger] is going to do. It’s not what we need in this time of deficit, but we’re going to stay optimistic because he doesn’t have a full term.””
Some students who commented on the election were surprised by the voter turnout on campus.
“”Clearly we’re all happy,”” said John Lobato, vice chair external of the College Republicans. “”ItŒs just pleasant to see that so many people were energized. Ever since Arnold announced his candidacy, there’s been such polarized reactions, but the reality is that it got so many people involved, excited.””
The Oct. 7 election also asked voters to decide on two ballot measures ‹ Proposition 53, which dealt with funding of state infrastructure projects, and Proposition 54, otherwise known as the Classification by Race, Ethnicity, Color, or National Origin initiative. Both measures failed acquiring about 64 percent Œno’ votes each.
Harish Nandagopal, A.S. vice president external and a leader in the UCSD student campaign against Proposition 54, was pleased with the measure’s failure.
“”I’m really happy that all our work over the last year-and-a-half to two years wasn’t in vain and that we were able to make this proposition fail by such a large amount,”” Nandagopal said.
Some, although not surprised with the outcome, had originally predicted that the margin between the top two candidates, Schwarzenegger and Bustamante, would be extremely close, especially when sexual harassment allegations against Schwarzenegger surfaced last week.
“”The outcomes weren’t surprising,”” history professor Michael Bernstein said. “”Polls indicated that Davis would be recalled. The margins between Schwarzenegger and Bustamante were surprising, but generally speaking, we’ve been anticipating this for a couple of weeks.””
With a campaign lasting only weeks, Schwarzenegger now must begin to work on issues ranging from dealing with economic problems to keeping his campaign promises, including repealing the vehicle licensing tax.
“”He’s going to inherit tough conditions,”” said Thad Kousser, an assistant professor of government. “”They’re predicting an $8 billion dollar shortfall and he will have to decide on cutting spending or raising taxes.””
Others are doubtful that the new governor will be able to take on the current problems in the state. Throughout his campaign, Schwarzenegger faced accusations of not having any solid plans to solve the budget crisis
“”His promises are so vague,”” said political science professor Gary Jacobson. “”He says that he supports education, but what does that mean? Where is he going to get the money if he repeals the car tax? Which things will be slashed and by how much were issues that were not addressed in his campaign.””
Some are also anticipating how the new governor will get along with a state legislature controlled by Democrats. Due to high support for the new governor, some are expecting Democrats to work with Schwarzenegger in finding ways to deal with the budget deficit.
“”The size of his victory will give him an initial honeymoon and cooperation,”” Kousser said. “”It’s going to be tough for him to ask the Republicans to raise taxes and for him to ask Democrats to slash health care.””
Bernstein agrees that the new governor’s greatest challenge is dealing with the state’s financial difficulties and finding ways to create a budget that would live up to his campaign promises.
“”It’s going to be a challenge,”” Bernstein said. “”He knows that he has to go into the legislature with a vision and also an olive branch. That’s going to be tricky business.””
For some who have been following the day-to-day events of the recall, the most important issue that has surfaced from the election is its weakening effects on the office of the governor.
“”Anytime that you have a governor dealing with a difficult situation, such as fiscal problems, they could be subject to recall,”” Bernstein said. “”This is Pandora’s box. I would think that this would seriously weaken the office or chase away a lot of potential candidates.””
Kousser agrees that the recall could potentially change the way state politics are played out in the future. For now, it is uncertain whether the recall process will remain the way it is.
“”It is a weapon now that has been taken out of the arsenal and can’t be put back,”” Kousser said. “”I think that the election had everything ‹ a Hollywood superstar, national media attention, and I think the interest, dissatisfaction and the stake made it the only game in town.””
[Editor’s Note: Daniel Watts is opinion co-editor at the UCSD Guardian.]
‹ Additional reporting by Neil Spears, Senior Staff Writer
