Presidential Electors Initiative Watch: The Surrogate Campaign
Graphic Courtesy of California Majority Report
Ballot measures in California have long been proxies for local politicians’ hopes and dreams — just ask Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who rode a recall petition to the Statehouse.
But now a statewide initiative has become the unusual battleground for two previously entangled New York politicians whose eyes are fixed firmly on the White House.
Rudy versus Hillary, the West Coast edition — it’s on.
Supporters of Rudolph W. Giuliani and of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton are embroiled in their first major affray of the political season over a ballot initiative on presidential electoral votes some 2,500 miles from the pancake houses of Skaneateles, N.Y., and the fire stations of Queens.
The fight could be a telling prelude to the 2008 presidential contest, with the political instincts and strategies long employed by Mr. Giuliani, a Republican, and Mrs. Clinton, a Democrat, cast in sharp relief. The battle has reflected their political set-to in 2000, when they squared off briefly over a United States Senate seat in New York, and could foreshadow how the game will be played should they become their parties’ nominees.
The proposed measure here would ask voters to apportion electoral votes by Congressional district, potentially giving the Republican nominee in 2008 some 20 of the state’s 55 votes — the rough equivalent of winning Illinois or Pennsylvania — in this otherwise reliably Democratic state.
Such a change could amount to a seismic shift in the nation’s electoral dynamics, potentially springboarding a Republican into the White House, and the possibility has animated hopeful Republicans and fearful Democrats.
A novel approach which the Democrats in the their legislature are using in North Carolina but not a long term gain for the GOP as Tom McClintock, a California State Senator and conservative standard bearer has written. And, then there is the pesky issue of constitutionality anyway.
Obviously, Governor Schwarzenegger and Rudy have pulled the plug.
The Democrats, including Hillary’s chief surrogate Chris Lehane will try to make more of this issue and make more campaign consultant cash. But, most Californians don’t know about the initiative and it is doubtful if they care.
The REAL SURROGATE campaign will come after February 5th.
Stay tuned…….
Previous:
Presidential Electors Initiative Watch: Failure to Launch
Presidential Electors Initiative Watch: Is it OVER?
Presidential Electors Initiative Watch: Bush and Rove Did It
Presidential Electors Initiative Watch: Initiative in Circulation for June 2008
Electoral Reform California Initiative Watch: Schwarzenegger Cool To Initiative
Electoral Reform California Initiative Watch: Field Poll – 47% Favor vs. 35% Oppose
Electoral Reform California Initiative Could Split California Presidential Votes Part II
Electoral Reform California Initiative Could Split California Presidential Votes
North Carolina Ready to Change Electoral College Presidential Selection Rules for 2008
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