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The Golden Rule: No sitting on the sidelines in California recall
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- If you thought the gubernatorial recall election in California was just about Golden State politics, you'd be mistaken. Prominent national Democrats and Republicans have taken a keen interest in this race, conferring with their respective supporters and trying to figure out how to influence voters without looking like they're meddling in the affairs of the country's most populous state. Democrats are especially eager to highlight the involvement of out-of-state Republicans in California, asserting the recall is the latest example of Republicans trying to steal elections. (They point to the impeachment of President Clinton in 1998 and the controversial presidential election of 2000 -- ultimately settled when the Supreme Court halted recounts in Florida -- as evidence of their claims.) "The national Republican strategy of stealing elections through lawyers, loopholes and lies will backfire," charged Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, in a press release that also charged the White House was involved in the recall effort through surrogates. President Bush has described himself only as an interested observer. (He did, however, say at one point that Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger would make a "good governor" although he later amended that statement to say others fit the bill as well.) GOP officials point out that the October 7 recall is -- first and foremost -- an election to be decided by California voters. "This has been and will continue to be an effort by the people of California," said Kevin Sheridan, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee. That's not to say party officials are sitting on the sidelines. A group of moderate Republicans -- with an advisory board that includes former Bush EPA chief Christine Todd Whitman and former California Gov. Pete Wilson -- is considering running some television ads in support of the recall. But, contrary to what the DNC says, a spokesman for the group said no decision has been made on such spots. Democrats, meanwhile, are rounding up some big names for campaigning with Davis. Among the possible campaigners: Bill Clinton. Food fightDoes the California recall with its 135 candidates have you confused? Taco Bell is trying to simplify matters -- and make a buck along the way. The fast-food chain launched a "taco poll" to gauge voter sentiment on the recall. Purchase a crunchy beef taco and that counts as a vote for Schwarzenegger. Soft chicken taco? There's one for Davis. And the purchase of a grilled stuffed burrito will count as a vote for any of the other 134 candidates. "We think it's an innovative way to remind California voters to get out to the polls," said Greg Creed, chief marketing officer for Taco Bell. VerbatimIn a week of twin terror blasts in the Mideast and intense politicking in California, President Bush's comments about combat operations in Iraq may have gotten overlooked, but Democrats are taking note of them. In an interview with Armed Forces Radio and Television, Bush appeared to amend somewhat his May 1 assertion that "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended." He made that statement during a nationally televised address from the deck of an aircraft carrier. Bush was asked about that during the August 14 interview. Questioner: "On May 1st, you flew aboard the Abraham Lincoln and you addressed the nation and you announced the end of combat operations." Bush: "Actually, major military operations." Questioner: "Okay, I stand corrected." Bush: "Because we still have combat operations going on." Some Democrats, notably Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, say Bush is "parsing" words. Sound familiar? That's a line Republicans often used to criticize Bill Clinton, who gained a reputation during the Monica Lewinsky scandal for his precise, legalistic answers. --Written by CNN.com Producer Sean Loughlin
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