No to Newsom Recall 2.0, an unserious waste of time, effort and money

Talk about ludicrous. The group that failed to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, Rescue California, is going to try again.

“Gavin Newsom has abandoned the state to advance his presidential ambitions, leaving behind a $73 billion budget deficit and a public safety, immigration and education crisis,” Anne Dunsmore, campaign director and Orange County fundraiser for the group, told Politico.

It's true the governor ought to spend all his time solving the state's problems. But a sitting California governor aiming for the White House while in office is nothing new. In 1968 Ronald Reagan actually won more primary votes than the ultimate winner, Richard Nixon. Jerry Brown tried and failed twice when governor, in 1976 and 1980. Pete Wilson tried it out in 1996. And even Gray Davis had an eye on the White House until his 2003 recall

Here's how Newsom fared in previous elections: He won 62% in 2018, 62% in 2021 (“No” on the recall) and 59% in 2022. Why would Recall 2.0 would be any different?

Indeed, a recall election would, as in 2021, boost his national figure. He also would use it to raise funds he could keep for a presidential run, or to fund Democratic candidates around the country to build his national base.

Another problem is the lack of a substantial candidate for the replacement part of the ballot. When Davis was recalled, helping push him out was Arnold Schwarzenegger, a charismatic personality who won the job. In 2021, the top replacement candidate was Larry Elder, a popular radio talk-show host, but nowhere near Schwarzenegger's celebrity. Who's left now? Steve Garvey, who's batting 18% for U.S. Senate in the latest PPIC poll?

We advise readers not to sign recall petitions, and for Rescue California to end this quixotic campaign. If they really want to help, they could sponsor a ballot initiative cutting taxes. Or work to reduce the Democrats' supermajority status in both the Assembly and state Senate to end the state's one-party rule. Or they could sponsor an initiative to curtail the power of public sector unions.

Or they could just stay home and binge-watch “The Beverly Hillbillies.” That would do as much or even more good than another doomed recall effort.

—The Editorial Board, Southern California News Group