WASHINGTON – We are now exactly one month away from the deadline for supporters to submit the nearly 1.5 million valid signatures to begin the process of recalling the Government of California Gavin Newsom – and holding a referendum on the progressive government of the state. (Supporters say they already have the number, but the signatures have yet to be verified.)
But there is one significant difference between this likely repeal and the one that ousted Democratic Gov. Gray Davis (and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger) in 2003: California is so much more blue – and non-white – than it was two decades ago.
Just look at these numbers:
In the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore defeated George W. Bush in California by more than 10 points, 53 percent to 42 percent.
In 2020? Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in California by almost 30 points (!!!), 63 percent to 34 percent.
In his government victory in 2002, Gray Davis won by just 5 points, 47 percent to 42 percent.
But the victory of Gavin Newsom in 2018? He defeated his GOP opponent by 24 points, 62 percent to 38 percent.
Finally, Gray Davis was recalled in 2003 with a margin of 55 to 45 percent – with that 55 percent not too far from the 53 percent of California voters who did not vote for him the previous year.
But if Newsom were to recall it, it would take far more than the 38 percent of California voters who did not vote for him in 2018 – supporters of memories must surpass it by at least 12 points to get a majority the governor.
It’s one thing for remembrance supporters to get 1.5 million signatures in a state of nearly 40 million inhabitants.
It’s another case for Democrats to lose a state that the party won by 20 to 30 points.
Democratic governance is also at stake
But the recall effort is about more than changing election margins and demographics.
It is about the future of Democratic and progressive government.
The state Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom are of course also the state Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris.
While fans say their biggest beef with Newsom is dealing with the pandemic, it looks like much more – taxes, housing, transportation, even how San Francisco names its schools.
So there may be a bigger story going on in California than whether or not Gavin Newsom can survive a by-election.
It’s whether Democrats can rule in a state where they have the most (if not all) political power.
Highlights from VP Harris’ “Today” interview
Speaking of Kamala Harris, here are some of the highlights of her interview this morning on “Today”:
About vaccines: ‘We have a vaccine now, and it’s great. But we must get it in the arms of all Americans. And as the president said last night, we expect it to be available by the end of July. ‘
On the reopening of schools: “Our goal is therefore that as many K-8 schools as possible will reopen within the first 100 days. Our goal is that it will be five days a week. And therefore we must work to achieve the goal. ”
On Covid-19 law: ‘A big problem requires a big solution.’
On the question of whether Trump should be charged criminally: ‘I did not investigate the case through the lawyer. I’m investigating the case of COVID in America by being the Vice President of America. ”
Tweet of the day
Data download: the numbers you need to know today
At least 20: The number of deaths reported nationwide has been linked to the recent winter storm and fierce cold.
Nearly 3 million: The number of people without power in Texas from publication time.
3000: The estimated number of sticks of dynamite is expected to be used this morning for the demolition of the former Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.
19.6 percentage points: Mitch McConnell’s victory over Democrat Amy McGrath in 2020. (Trump said in a statement yesterday that McConnell “would have lost badly” without his support.)
27,880,005: The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, according to the latest data from NBC News and health officials. (That’s 72,596 more than yesterday morning.)
490 176: The number of deaths so far in the United States due to the virus, according to the latest data from NBC News. (This is 1,812 more than yesterday morning.)
64,533: The number of people currently hospitalized in the United States with coronavirus.
337.3 million: According to researchers from The COVID Tracking Project, the number of coronavirus tests tested so far in the United States.
55,220,364: Number of vaccinations administered in the US
15,015,434: People are fully vaccinated in the US
71: The number of days Biden has left to reach his 100-day vaccination target.
Promises made, promises kept?
In his first city hall as president, Joe Biden set out promises, plus the dates on which those promises will be fulfilled.
Vaccinations available to all Americans (600 million doses) – End of July.
K-8 schools are open for personal learning five days a week – majority within its first 100 days (end of April).
An immigration plan backed by Biden – At the end of this week.
And one big promise from another Democratic candidate that Biden will not keep is the $ 50,000 cancellation of student debt.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Has the student debt abolition central to her 2020 campaign and has continued to do so since Biden won the election.
Asked what Biden would do last night to cancel $ 50,000 student debt, the president said bluntly, “I will not let this happen.”
Biden has expressed support for canceling $ 10,000 in federal student debt instead.
ICYMI: What else is happening in the world?
The recent storm crisis in Texas highlights the challenges of a clean energy future.
A Texas mayor has resigned after urging residents in his city to take care of themselves.
A Democratic congressman and the NAACP have filed a lawsuit against Trump and former lawyer Rudy Giuliani over the riot in the Capitol.
The New York Times reports on what was going on behind the scenes with Trump’s accused legal team.
Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., And Mitt Romney, R-Utah, are working on a proposal that would link a minimum wage increase to immigration enforcement.
Biden extends the moratorium and tolerance of mortgage lending until June.
What about Kamala Harris’ claim that the Biden administration ‘started from scratch’ with the administration of vaccines? The Washington Post gives her two Pinocchios.
Now George Conway says he is in favor of halting the Lincoln project.
Milwaukee Bucks CEO Alex Lasry is in the Wisconsin Senate.
CORRECTION (February 17, 2021, 11:05 ET): An earlier version of this article misrepresented the outcome of the 2000 California presidential election. Democrat Al Gore won the state by more than 10 points, not less than 1 point, over Republican George W. Bush.