Almost none of these candidates are worth the two cents they kept interrupting their opponents with, last Wednesday night here at Sacramento State. It was enough to make people want to vote against the recall.

As a “debate about debates” the governor’s recall “argument” should have damaged front-running Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. This free-for-all has not hurt his poll numbers and pundits making relentless comparisons to Ronald Reagan give him an unearned aura of credibility. Arianna Huffington, an Independent did herself no favors with relentless attacks on Schwarzenegger. But, his cutting-off and talking over Huffington confirmed for some what has been reported as his contempt for women.

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a Democrat, led all candidates in polls before the debate. He suffered from the opposite problem – disappearing into the background. He could have taken some coaching from Republican Senator Tom McClintock on how to emphasize his all important political credentials. Bustamante shone on only a couple of issues.

The clear winner should be Peter Camejo, a Green who avoided verbal combat and kept his comments on topic. But, it might be a stretch to think his performance will vault him into the ranks of front-runners. Mainstream media refuse to cover his campaign despite his grasp on the data governing the issues behind the recall and his proposed solutions to our budget crisis. His history as a successful asset manager for major mutual funds give his solutions a more exacting ring of practicality.

Camejo cited personal and corporate California income tax rates from the California Budget Project to back his position that the budget can be balanced by raising these rates on the wealthiest Californians to the same level as poorer taxpayers.

Camejo shows candidates outside the two party system deserve a place at the table and can compete with the major political parties.

He most deserves the comparison to Reagan, who raised corporate tax rates and income tax rates for the richest Californians as governor. Huffington took no time to establish a foundation for off-topic attacks on Bush and Corporate America. She speaks words that warm the hearts of progressives everywhere, but is less focused, less polished, than Camejo.

McClintock, the “inside the capitol outsider,” has cemented his position with hard-line, anti-tax conservatives. During the debate he tried to hurt Schwarzenegger by focusing on specifics and defined solutions. Schwarzenegger simply spewed empty platitudes about the economic and political climate and offered few clearly stated solutions. However, any esteem built among voters by McClintock on spending and tax issues will drop because of his short-sighted positions on abortion and undocumented workers in California.

Stan Statham, the moderator of the debate and president of the California Broadcasters Association, asked a tough, impromptu follow-up question on funding health care for children of illegal immigrants. It drew “ooh’s” from the audience and forced candidates, especially McClintock, to articulate a position on the subject and possibly alienate the large Latino electorate.

Bustamante gave his only memorable response, outlining the percentages of illegal workers in essential industries. Seventy percent of farm workers, 30 percent of construction workers and 40 percent of people who work in the hotel and hospitality industry in California work without documentation.

Bustamante pledged to invest in higher education and provide access to all qualified students. He did not promise to roll back recent fee increases for college students.

In a press conference following the debate Schwarzenegger called the 40 percent fee hike for California State University students in 2003 “unfair” and suggested a cost of living adjustment. But, in an answer to a follow-up question said that he would not change the status of the fee increase.

Senator McClintock promises to cut funding for education bureaucracy. He makes no promise to decrease student costs. Huffington and Camejo responded with promises to roll back and refund fee increases immediately, if elected.

>From a student’s point of view Camejo is the best choice. But, it seems that with all the blather and posturing Davis may stay in office.

Think Andrew’s column should be recalled? Reply at [email protected]