Hoo-Whee Doggies!

The California gubernatorial recall election foreplay is heating up.

Hustler's Larry Flynt wants to replace Davis

Larry C. Flynt, the publisher of Hustler magazine, says he wants to be the Democratic Party's standard bearer -- or maybe "barer" -- in the coming California recall election, and he's running for governor.

Heh....but wait! There's more good news for the Dems.

Lockyer admonishes Davis...

With uncertainty over who will challenge him, Davis is entering the most precarious week of his political life, made even more difficult because of a warning by Democratic Attorney General Bill Lockyer this week that Davis would face consequences if he ran a "puke campaign" trashing his opponents.

During a breakfast meeting Thursday with the Sacramento Bee, Lockyer ridiculed Davis for helping sabotage former Los Angeles Mayor Dick Riordan's campaign last year with attack ads that questioned his flip-flopping on the issue of abortion rights.

"It was a puke campaign and I didn't like it," Lockyer told the newspaper. "I think it's a disservice to voters and the profession. I'm just tired of that stuff."

...While Boxer hedges her bets.

Democratic unity behind a decision to keep top-tier Democrats off the recall ballot showed further signs of fraying. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said Friday she is leaving her options open for encouraging a Democratic candidate to run as a potential replacement.

"We have to see where we are when the filing deadline approaches," Boxer told the Associated Press. "I'm against the recall, but I think we have to look at who's on the ballot, we have to keep our options open as to who's on the ballot," she said.

Schwarzenegger will discuss governor intentions on 'Tonight Show'

California's gubernatorial recall campaign could get a touch of Hollywood glitz next week when Arnold Schwarzenegger goes on late-night TV to discuss whether he'll run to replace Gov. Gray Davis.

The Republican will announce his decision Wednesday, then elaborate on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," Schwarzenegger campaign consultant Sean Walsh said Friday. That would come three days before the Aug. 9 deadline for candidates to declare plans to run

Okay...so far we have a possible slate of Davis, Boxer, Huffington, Sanchez, Feinstein, Flynt, Riordan, Schwarzenegger, Pratt, Wozniak and Russell.

Whoa! Back up the truck Ethel. I know someone running for Governor?

FuggingFarOut.

RECALL FEVER

Longshots are coming out of the woodwork

So while the pundits and political operatives held their breath Friday waiting for Arnold and Arianna to decide, Michael Wozniak took action. The San Leandro resident was the first person to ask for signature papers from the Alameda County registrar.

While riding his motorcycle home, he stopped to ask his mail carrier to sign his petition. Then, not wanting to burn out on campaigning on the first day, he mowed his lawn and swept his front porch.

"There may be a lot of people coming by later," said Wozniak, a retired Oakland police officer who answers his phone with the authoritative, "Campaign headquarters."

Experience? Well, he's the treasurer of a motorcycle riding club, overseeing a budget that's "almost" $5,000. But that's not why he's running.

For the 52-year-old Wozniak, "This may be the only chance in my lifetime for a reasonable person to express himself, to have some say in the political process."

And while he's got his feelings about the budget and education, and a motto -- "No crybabies" -- like most politicians, Wozniak has an issue that's especially close to his heart: the legalization of the domestic ferret. "I guess you could call that my 'pet issue.' "

And bringing up the rear...BEAUTY, BRAINS, THONG.

Georgy Russell, a 26-year-old high-tech programmer from Mountain View. Or, as her campaign manager described her in an e-mail: "A cute girl looking to fill the Democratic void in this election." The campaign motto: Beauty, brains, leadership. It's a strategic tack that may explain the Georgy for Governor thong underwear ($14), one of 18 Georgy items for sale on her Web site.

BUWHAHAHAHAHA! This gonna be one helluva campaign.

[Pet issue...good one, Mike, you just might have my vote.]

UPDATE: Kiril of Sneakeasy's Joint dryly quipped:
"Only Arnold Swartzenegger, who may or may not run, will be able to lift the ballot info book we will be getting in the mail."

Posted by feste at August 2, 2003 09:27 PM | TrackBack