CRUZIN' FOR A BRUISIN'

Bustamante claims sabotage by Davis: He says the governor is undercutting his recall bid as an alternate Democrat. (Gary Delsohn, August 18, 2003, Sacramento Bee)

Any pretense that Gov. Gray Davis and Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante are united in their fight against the recall vanished Sunday when the lieutenant governor went on national television and accused Davis of undermining his bid to give voters a Democratic replacement if the recall succeeds.

"If some of the governor's minions would stop trying to undercut my efforts, I think we could have a very coalesced opportunity for Democrats," Bustamante, the only established Democrat on the recall replacement ballot, said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I think if he worked with me a little bit more, I think we could make sure that we had a good strategy for the people of California and to make sure that the Democratic Party kept hold of this position."

Later in the day, Bustamante's chief consultant charged that Davis aides are calling Indian tribal leaders and others to urge them not to support Bustamante.

"They're contacting potential supporters and contributors and telling them don't give (money) and don't support Bustamante's effort," said Richie Ross, Bustamante's consultant.

"They're trying to shut it down. We think that is selfish and irresponsible," he said. "They want it to be all or nothing, them or no one."

What exactly were they expecting from someone like Gray Davis? Posted by Orrin Judd at August 18, 2003 1:03 PM