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Unions' Recall Strategy; Politics of Race
Aired August 26, 2003 - 15:13 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 largest labor federation has just voted to change its strategy in the California recall. Instead of urging voters simply to oppose the recall, they're now saying vote no on the recall, but vote yes on Cruz Bustamante as a replacement candidate for Governor Gray Davis.
Well, among the labor leaders who have been meeting to consider how California's unions can best protect their interests in the recall is Miguel Contreras of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
He joins me now from Manhattan Beach.
Mr. Contreras, doesn't this undercut labor's support for Gray Davis?
MIGUEL CONTRERAS, LOS ANGELES COUNTY FEDERATION OF LABOR: Oh, absolutely not.
This is a tactical decision on behalf of organized labor here in California. We think we need to increase the vote on October the 7th. And we think by encouraging our members to vote on both parts of the ballots, it would encourage the ballots and particularly among our Latino membership here in California, which is quite significant.
WOODRUFF: But, at the same time, when you're telling people vote no on the recall, but just in case, vote yes for Mr. Bustamante, in essence, you're saying you think Governor Davis not going to survive this recall.
CONTRERAS: Oh, no. We think we're doing this as a tactical decision to increase the vote to make sure that the recall is defeated. We're very confident we can defeat this recall.
WOODRUFF: Well, then, why not just support -- why not just say, vote no on the recall and leave it at that?
CONTRERAS: Because a lot of us have a significant amount of Latino members here in California. We want to make sure that they come out to vote and give them a reason to vote in a positive way. And they've been asking us what to do. So the decision we made today, the vote decision, was a very tactical decision meant at increasing the voter turnout on October the 7th.
WOODRUFF: And you're saying, just voting no on Gray Davis wouldn't be enough to get them to the polls. You have got to get them out there for Mr. Bustamante. This is going to give him a big boost, though, isn't it? CONTRERAS: I think it provides a boost for both parts of the operation. But, clearly, our first message is no on the recall.
WOODRUFF: Does this split labor, because aren't there still going to be some parts of organized labor, parts of the Democratic Party, Senator Dianne Feinstein, for example, who are still arguing what the best strategy is, is simply no on the recall?
CONTRERAS: Well, our decision is based on what we think is best for our rank-and-file, not any particular political operative here in California. And based on what we think is best for membership, we think the right message is no on the recall, no on the recall, no on the recall, and then we recommend a vote on Bustamante.
WOODRUFF: Do you think Mr. Bustamante would be a better governor than Gray Davis has been?
CONTRERAS: Well, we think Gray Davis should survive this recall. We think he's been a good governor. We think, at the right time, a Bustamante candidacy would benefit California workers. But in this case, once again, it's no on the recall.
WOODRUFF: But I guess what I'm asking is, just flat out, do you believe Mr. Bustamante would make a better governor than Gray Davis has been?
CONTRERAS: Well, I think, at the right time, Cruz will have a chance to prove that. But right now, we're very comfortable with endorsing Gray as governor. And he's been good for us. And we want to make sure that we defeat the recall and that he serves his remaining three years in office.
WOODRUFF: What was Governor Davis' reaction when you gave him the news of this vote? Do you know?
CONTRERAS: Actually, he's supposed to have a press conference here in a few minutes. So we'll know then.
WOODRUFF: All right.
What is this going to mean for your unions that you've made this vote? How much money, how much effort are you all going to put into this between now and the Election Day?
CONTRERAS: Oh, it will be very significant. This is probably the No. 1 labor battle anywhere in the United States. So we're going to make sure that we get our troops out on the streets and in the mail and by phone. So this will be a multimillion dollar campaign to defeat this recall.
WOODRUFF: And how many more people -- how many people are you going to need to vote to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger or who else -- or what other Republicans are on the ballot?
CONTRERAS: Well, we're out to prove to Mr. Schwarzenegger that box office is different than a ballot box. WOODRUFF: And what do you say to Tom McClintock, who said just a minute ago that he's not getting out of the race? He's staying in.
CONTRERAS: That's what democracy is all about. He has a right to run.
WOODRUFF: All right, Miguel Contreras is the executive secretary treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, which has just voted to switch strategies, vote no on the recall, but vote yes for Cruz Bustamante as a replacement candidate.
Mr. Contreras, thanks very much.
CONTRERAS: Sure.
WOODRUFF: And we'll be talking to you again.
Well, the proposed recall of Governor Gray Davis is not the only item on the October 7 ballot. Voters will also be considering Proposition 54, a measure that is forcing recall candidates to take a stand on an issue some would just as soon avoid.
Here's CNN's Miguel Marquez.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCHWARZENEGGER: Make sure to vote on October 7 to take the government back.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Before taking California anywhere, Arnold Schwarzenegger may have to answer a single question: Does he or doesn't he support Proposition 54? It's also called the racial privacy initiative. It would bar California's government from classifying people by race or ethnicity.
SCHWARZENEGGER: I'm looking at that right now, because I'm getting from both sides their input. And my indication is not to change the way things are, but I want to hear again both sides.
MARQUEZ: He's not decided, but his opponents on the political left and right are. Tom McClintock is more conservative than Schwarzenegger and he strongly supports Prop 54. On the left, Cruz Bustamante says no to 54. And so does the man Schwarzenegger wants to replace.
GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: I don't think anyone should shrink from opposing Prop 54.
MARQUEZ (on camera): Supporters say Proposition 54 is the first step toward a colorblind society. Opponents say barring the collection of racial and ethnic data will harm everything, from law enforcement to medical care.
(voice-over): As an issue, it could bring more Democrats to the polls to vote against Prop 54 and against the recall. In the latest Field poll, 28 percent of liberals said they're more likely to vote in the recall with Prop 54 on the ballot, while only 19 percent of conservatives said Prop 54 would get them to the voting booth.
Elizabeth Garrett, professor of law and politics at the University of Southern California, says Prop 54 is a problem for candidates who try to claim the middle ground.
ELIZABETH GARRETT, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: People like Schwarzenegger are going to try to either remain quiet or not take a position on Proposition 54, because, no matter which way they go, they're going to antagonize some people they hope will vote for them.
MARQUEZ: Translation: If he's for it, he loses minority and liberal voters. And if he's against it, he loses conservatives. And he has another problem.
GARRETT: It's not in his interest to take an a position on Prop 54, particularly after the press about his support for the proposition that would have denied services to illegal immigrants.
MARQUEZ: But that was Proposition 187 in 1994, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was a citizen, not a candidate.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.
(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 August 26, 2003 - 15:13 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 largest labor federation has just voted to change its strategy in the California recall. Instead of urging voters simply to oppose the recall, they're now saying vote no on the recall, but vote yes on Cruz Bustamante as a replacement candidate for Governor Gray Davis.
Well, among the labor leaders who have been meeting to consider how California's unions can best protect their interests in the recall is Miguel Contreras of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
He joins me now from Manhattan Beach.
Mr. Contreras, doesn't this undercut labor's support for Gray Davis?
MIGUEL CONTRERAS, LOS ANGELES COUNTY FEDERATION OF LABOR: Oh, absolutely not.
This is a tactical decision on behalf of organized labor here in California. We think we need to increase the vote on October the 7th. And we think by encouraging our members to vote on both parts of the ballots, it would encourage the ballots and particularly among our Latino membership here in California, which is quite significant.
WOODRUFF: But, at the same time, when you're telling people vote no on the recall, but just in case, vote yes for Mr. Bustamante, in essence, you're saying you think Governor Davis not going to survive this recall.
CONTRERAS: Oh, no. We think we're doing this as a tactical decision to increase the vote to make sure that the recall is defeated. We're very confident we can defeat this recall.
WOODRUFF: Well, then, why not just support -- why not just say, vote no on the recall and leave it at that?
CONTRERAS: Because a lot of us have a significant amount of Latino members here in California. We want to make sure that they come out to vote and give them a reason to vote in a positive way. And they've been asking us what to do. So the decision we made today, the vote decision, was a very tactical decision meant at increasing the voter turnout on October the 7th.
WOODRUFF: And you're saying, just voting no on Gray Davis wouldn't be enough to get them to the polls. You have got to get them out there for Mr. Bustamante. This is going to give him a big boost, though, isn't it? CONTRERAS: I think it provides a boost for both parts of the operation. But, clearly, our first message is no on the recall.
WOODRUFF: Does this split labor, because aren't there still going to be some parts of organized labor, parts of the Democratic Party, Senator Dianne Feinstein, for example, who are still arguing what the best strategy is, is simply no on the recall?
CONTRERAS: Well, our decision is based on what we think is best for our rank-and-file, not any particular political operative here in California. And based on what we think is best for membership, we think the right message is no on the recall, no on the recall, no on the recall, and then we recommend a vote on Bustamante.
WOODRUFF: Do you think Mr. Bustamante would be a better governor than Gray Davis has been?
CONTRERAS: Well, we think Gray Davis should survive this recall. We think he's been a good governor. We think, at the right time, a Bustamante candidacy would benefit California workers. But in this case, once again, it's no on the recall.
WOODRUFF: But I guess what I'm asking is, just flat out, do you believe Mr. Bustamante would make a better governor than Gray Davis has been?
CONTRERAS: Well, I think, at the right time, Cruz will have a chance to prove that. But right now, we're very comfortable with endorsing Gray as governor. And he's been good for us. And we want to make sure that we defeat the recall and that he serves his remaining three years in office.
WOODRUFF: What was Governor Davis' reaction when you gave him the news of this vote? Do you know?
CONTRERAS: Actually, he's supposed to have a press conference here in a few minutes. So we'll know then.
WOODRUFF: All right.
What is this going to mean for your unions that you've made this vote? How much money, how much effort are you all going to put into this between now and the Election Day?
CONTRERAS: Oh, it will be very significant. This is probably the No. 1 labor battle anywhere in the United States. So we're going to make sure that we get our troops out on the streets and in the mail and by phone. So this will be a multimillion dollar campaign to defeat this recall.
WOODRUFF: And how many more people -- how many people are you going to need to vote to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger or who else -- or what other Republicans are on the ballot?
CONTRERAS: Well, we're out to prove to Mr. Schwarzenegger that box office is different than a ballot box. WOODRUFF: And what do you say to Tom McClintock, who said just a minute ago that he's not getting out of the race? He's staying in.
CONTRERAS: That's what democracy is all about. He has a right to run.
WOODRUFF: All right, Miguel Contreras is the executive secretary treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, which has just voted to switch strategies, vote no on the recall, but vote yes for Cruz Bustamante as a replacement candidate.
Mr. Contreras, thanks very much.
CONTRERAS: Sure.
WOODRUFF: And we'll be talking to you again.
Well, the proposed recall of Governor Gray Davis is not the only item on the October 7 ballot. Voters will also be considering Proposition 54, a measure that is forcing recall candidates to take a stand on an issue some would just as soon avoid.
Here's CNN's Miguel Marquez.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCHWARZENEGGER: Make sure to vote on October 7 to take the government back.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Before taking California anywhere, Arnold Schwarzenegger may have to answer a single question: Does he or doesn't he support Proposition 54? It's also called the racial privacy initiative. It would bar California's government from classifying people by race or ethnicity.
SCHWARZENEGGER: I'm looking at that right now, because I'm getting from both sides their input. And my indication is not to change the way things are, but I want to hear again both sides.
MARQUEZ: He's not decided, but his opponents on the political left and right are. Tom McClintock is more conservative than Schwarzenegger and he strongly supports Prop 54. On the left, Cruz Bustamante says no to 54. And so does the man Schwarzenegger wants to replace.
GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: I don't think anyone should shrink from opposing Prop 54.
MARQUEZ (on camera): Supporters say Proposition 54 is the first step toward a colorblind society. Opponents say barring the collection of racial and ethnic data will harm everything, from law enforcement to medical care.
(voice-over): As an issue, it could bring more Democrats to the polls to vote against Prop 54 and against the recall. In the latest Field poll, 28 percent of liberals said they're more likely to vote in the recall with Prop 54 on the ballot, while only 19 percent of conservatives said Prop 54 would get them to the voting booth.
Elizabeth Garrett, professor of law and politics at the University of Southern California, says Prop 54 is a problem for candidates who try to claim the middle ground.
ELIZABETH GARRETT, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: People like Schwarzenegger are going to try to either remain quiet or not take a position on Proposition 54, because, no matter which way they go, they're going to antagonize some people they hope will vote for them.
MARQUEZ: Translation: If he's for it, he loses minority and liberal voters. And if he's against it, he loses conservatives. And he has another problem.
GARRETT: It's not in his interest to take an a position on Prop 54, particularly after the press about his support for the proposition that would have denied services to illegal immigrants.
MARQUEZ: But that was Proposition 187 in 1994, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was a citizen, not a candidate.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.
(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
