Editorial - Vote ‘yes’ on the recall, Larry Elder for governor - - OC Register

Via OC Register

As one of the state’s few right-of-center editorial pages, readers — and the state’s political leaders — no doubt expected us to come to our conclusion that voters should recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. Perhaps that explains why Newsom, whose policies we’ve often criticized, would not meet with our editorial board, despite our numerous attempts to arrange a meeting.

Nevertheless, our decision wasn’t easy and we earnestly wanted to hear the governor make his case. We want to walk readers through our decision-making, by first debunking the most overheated “no” arguments. For instance, the Sacramento Bee recently argued that the genesis of the recall is “bitter partisanship and right-wing nationalism” and called it a “serious threat” to the state.

Yet California’s unique brand of direct democracy sprung from Progressive Era attempts to give the People the power to check special interests and politicians. In his First Inaugural Address in 1911, Gov. Hiram Johnson argued that its opponents, “however they may phrase their opposition, in reality believe the people cannot be trusted.”

Such reactions reinforce our support for the process. Democrats control every statewide office and hold legislative supermajorities. Direct democracy remains the People’s sole remaining check on their power. The recall power is not so much a threat to the state as it is to the status quo.

But what about this particular recall? Is it justified? We believe so, and even the Bee noted that, “Sacramento establishment politics are failing to deliver the scale and speed of change that’s needed to address California’s existential crises.” For us, that’s the bottom-line reason to vote “yes.”

We don’t blame Newsom for the pandemic-related shutdowns. He muddled through that unique situation roughly as well as most other governors from both parties, although we remain troubled by his ever-changing shutdown metrics and overuse of executive orders.

Our problem with Newsom’s leadership is more fundamental. Pick an issue and the state’s failures are obvious. As the governor focuses on progressive visions, the state struggles with uncontrolled wildfires, water rationing, a homelessness crisis, a spike in homicides, housing unaffordability, nationally high poverty rates and failing schools. Unlike his predecessor, Newsom has reacted like a deer in the headlights in the face of these challenges.

One specific matter illustrates the problem. As wildfires spread, Newsom actually rolled back the previous administration’s wildfire-prevention plan — and he vastly overstated the number of acres that the state had treated with prescribed burns. This is not leadership.

One of the state’s most troubling scandals took place under his watch. Even as the Employment Development Department failed to provide unemployment benefits to legitimate recipients, it handed out as much as $31 billion to criminals and scammers. The situation remains unresolved — and those billions would go a long way toward resolving many of the state’s problems. The buck stops with him.

In another example, Newsom signed a package of teachers’-union-backed laws that make it harder for California’s charter schools to expand, even though these schools provide a lifeline for the state’s poorest students. These examples epitomize our frustrations. It has nothing to do with partisanship or far-right nationalism — neither of which receive any sympathy on these pages.

In fairness to recall opponents, we, too, disdain recall supporters’ official “statement of reasons,” which unfairly and shamefully blame illegal immigrants for California’s problems. Nevertheless, over 1.7 million people signed the petitions, and few of them paid attention to those arguments. Voters may vote “yes” or “no” on the question of recalling the governor for any reason, and we find plenty of compelling reasons to do so.

Choosing a replacement is a tougher decision. Unlike in the 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis, this year’s recall doesn’t have an Arnold Schwarzenegger on the ballot — someone with celebrity status and a wide nonpartisan appeal. But we’ve met with the leading candidates and believe that radio talk-show host Larry Elder is the best choice for the office.

Elder does not come from a traditional political background, but like Schwarzenegger and former Gov. Ronald Reagan he understands the core challenges that California faces and has a knack for explaining issues in a way that can resonate with the general public.

That is a skill that should not be underestimated. Californians have too often been excluded from discussions of laws and regulations that affect their lives by officials who rely on arrogant or wonky talk to conceal what they’re doing. Californians deserve a governor who will respect them enough to explain policy choices and seek their support for better options.

We’re not thrilled with everything he has ever said on his show, but we see no signs that he’s treating his campaign as a publicity stunt. He has assembled a serious campaign and impressed us in our recent interview with his thoughtful answers, depth of policy understanding and compassion for the people he seeks to represent.

Furthermore, Elder’s liberty-oriented instincts and gift for gab appeal to us given the short timeframe to the next gubernatorial election. It’s tough to get much done in a year, especially with a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature, but he could effectively use a bully pulpit in the interim to push for long-needed solutions to California’s perennial issues, from homelessness to CEQA reform to school choice to wildfire prevention.

The recall remains a cornerstone of California governance — a way for the People to right a ship of state that is veering off course. The state clearly needs corrective action. We urge a “yes” vote on the recall and believe that Larry Elder should provide the next round of leadership.