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California Democratic delegation monitors recall
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- All political eyes appear to be on California, where the state has embarked on a wild and unprecedented gubernatorial recall race. Some of the most interested spectators are the state's Democrats, including those sent to Washington. Fearful that embattled Democratic incumbent Gov. Gray Davis might be vulnerable, the state's Democratic delegation has been conferring, considering what to do. Several urged Sen. Dianne Feinstein, perhaps the state's most popular politician, to enter the race, but she declined. The pressure, however, has not abated, especially with the surprise decision by actor and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger to enter the race. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, whose district is in San Francisco, greeted Schwarzenegger's candidacy with an unflattering reference to one of his celebrated movie roles. "The Terminator meets the Exterminator," Pelosi declared, tying Schwarzenegger to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who earned that nickname from his days as the owner of a pest-control business. DeLay, by the way, is from Texas. At any rate, Pelosi said the California Democratic delegation would continue its discussions. "We will determine our course of action after the filing deadline has passed," she said in a written statement, a reference to Saturday's deadline for candidates to file their papers. Family tiesWhat do you do if you're one of the nation's leading Democrats, patriarch to the country's most celebrated political family and your nephew-in-law decides to run for office -- as a Republican? That's the challenge for Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, now that Schwarzenegger has entered race. The movie star is married to his niece, Maria Shriver, the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver. The liberal lion opted to play it cool, expressing his affection for his niece's husband, but reminding one and all of his party roots. "I like and respect Arnold, and I've been impressed with his efforts to promote after-school education in California, and his willingness to come to Congress and the administration to fight for that program," Kennedy said in a statement. "But I'm a Democrat, and I don't support the recall effort." Back to square one?In a potential setback to Republicans, the party's top Senate prospect in Nevada is leaning against running, GOP party strategists say. They say Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons, who had been strongly urged by Senate GOP leaders and the White House to mount a challenge to incumbent Democrat Harry Reid, will likely not throw his hat into the ring. A popular congressman who represents Las Vegas, Gibbons could have been a formidable candidate against Reid, who won his last election by less than 1 percent. "We don't expect him to run," one Republican operative said. "He is leaning strongly against running." An aide to Gibbons said the congressman has not made a decision on the race but will announce his intentions by the end of August. Written by CNN.Com producer Sean Loughlin and congressional correspondent Jonathan Karl.
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