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Davis Recall 101
Aired July 25, 2003 - 15:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: California's Supreme Court today refused to intervene in the recall of Governor Gray Davis. The Republican-dominated court rejected an emergency petition by pro-Davis forces, although another challenge is making its way through the lower courts. Governor Davis' appointment with history appears set for now, but what are the nuts and bolts of this recall vote?
Here's Bill Schneider with a primer on what happens next and what might not happen and how things might get even more chaotic than they already are.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): On November 5, nearly 3.5 million Californians voted to reelect Democrat Gray Davis to a second term as governor. On July 23, California's secretary of state certified that nearly 1.4 million Californians had signed petitions to recall Davis.
What now? Now the voters have to go back to the polls on October 7 to vote whether to keep Davis in office or fire him. If they vote to fire him, he leaves office immediately. And who becomes governor? Here's where it gets tricky. Candidates have until August 9 to decide whether to enter the race. Anyone in California can run. Well, anyone except Gray Davis.
All it takes is 65 signatures and a fee of $3,500. Californians will pick someone to replace Davis also on October 7. That's right, on the same ballot they use to vote on whether or not to keep him. If there are enough votes to recall Davis, then whoever gets the most votes to replace him becomes governor immediately. There's no primary. There's no runoff.
Davis is counting on no other Democrat running. That way, Democrats will have to vote to keep him or else risk turning the state over to a Republican.
GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: I am confident that voters of this state will not opt for a right-wing agenda over a progressive agenda.
SCHNEIDER: Republicans are hoping to rally behind a candidate with broad appeal, one who can bring new votes to their party, one who can terminate Democratic rule in California.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 25, 2003 - 15:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: California's Supreme Court today refused to intervene in the recall of Governor Gray Davis. The Republican-dominated court rejected an emergency petition by pro-Davis forces, although another challenge is making its way through the lower courts. Governor Davis' appointment with history appears set for now, but what are the nuts and bolts of this recall vote?
Here's Bill Schneider with a primer on what happens next and what might not happen and how things might get even more chaotic than they already are.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): On November 5, nearly 3.5 million Californians voted to reelect Democrat Gray Davis to a second term as governor. On July 23, California's secretary of state certified that nearly 1.4 million Californians had signed petitions to recall Davis.
What now? Now the voters have to go back to the polls on October 7 to vote whether to keep Davis in office or fire him. If they vote to fire him, he leaves office immediately. And who becomes governor? Here's where it gets tricky. Candidates have until August 9 to decide whether to enter the race. Anyone in California can run. Well, anyone except Gray Davis.
All it takes is 65 signatures and a fee of $3,500. Californians will pick someone to replace Davis also on October 7. That's right, on the same ballot they use to vote on whether or not to keep him. If there are enough votes to recall Davis, then whoever gets the most votes to replace him becomes governor immediately. There's no primary. There's no runoff.
Davis is counting on no other Democrat running. That way, Democrats will have to vote to keep him or else risk turning the state over to a Republican.
GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: I am confident that voters of this state will not opt for a right-wing agenda over a progressive agenda.
SCHNEIDER: Republicans are hoping to rally behind a candidate with broad appeal, one who can bring new votes to their party, one who can terminate Democratic rule in California.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
