The attempt to recall Gov. Newsom did nothing but shred $276 million in taxpayer funds, distract from real problems — the COVID-19 virus, homelessness, poverty, drought — and virtually guarantee that Newsom will be reelected in 2022, writes AbcarianLAT.
The recall’s failure also shines an unforgiving light on the shortfalls of the process itself.Some have suggested the formation of a bipartisan commission charged with developing policy proposals to present to voters. They could do things like raise the number of signatures needed to place a recall on the ballot, which, at 12% of votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election, is indefensibly low. Or allowing a recall only if an elected official has engaged in illegal or unethical behavior.
First, the pandemic hit, and with it, Newsom faced the unforgiving task of weighing public health considerations against the toll that business and school closures would take on Californians.He took the responsible, if unpopular steps — ordering lockdowns, school closures and mandating masks, which became outrage triggers for Trump-loving Republicans.
On Nov. 6, when Newsom probably thought the recall effort would never make the ballot for lack of signatures, he joined a bunch of lobbyists for a fancy wine-country birthday dinner. As we all know, the guests were unmasked and sitting close at the very moment he was urging Californians to stay in and stay apart.for what he called “a bad mistake” and that might have been the end of it.
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