Friday, Nov. 23, 2007

Denham recall attempt powered by vengeful Democrats

On these pages not too long ago, Gary D. Robbins suggested that we "Dump Denham" for refusing to vote for a bloated, out-of-balance state budget ("Why recall Jeff Denham? His broken promises," Oct. 25, Page B-7).

Denham has served the 12th Senate District with distinction since 2002. Only two Republicans have been supported by the California Teachers Association; Denham is one of them. Locally, he has been supported by firefighters, law enforcement agencies and crime victim groups. Recently, every sheriff in his district -- including our own Adam Christianson -- voiced support for Denham against this shameful recall attempt.

Does that sound like someone valley voters would want to recall? Robbins is leading the recall effort. So, in a state bursting with serious public policy issues, after five statewide elections in as many years and three more for 2008, he's spending precious time and resources on a recall?

As it turns out, Denham was the wise man when it came to the budget. Every day there are headlines describing the dire state of the state. The larger question should be: Why did so many legislators and our governor support the budget?

The other accusation made by Robbins is that the senator is "raking in money from special interests and selling us down the river."

Which came first, the recall or the effort to raise money to defend, or even avoid, the recall?

The recall effort is being financed by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, the most investigated member of the Senate. And just where did Perata's money come from? Sacramento and Bay Area fat cats and special-interest groups.

The real reason for the recall effort against Denham is simply that he stood his ground against the powerful and vengeful Perata and refused to vote for a seriously flawed state budget. We should applaud him, not recall him.

This recall effort isn't about Denham's vote for the biggest bloated state budget anyone can recall. It's about the widely held belief by Democrats that the 12th Senate district belongs to them. Denham won a hard-fought, expensive campaign against the best guys they could recruit, and the voters said no in 2002 and again in 2006. Denham has served the district well and he deserves our support.

If Perata really cared about the 12th District, he would not have stripped Denham of the Agriculture Committee chairmanship or his seat on the Government Organization Committee. So much for "post-partisanship."

Clendenin is a former visiting editor and chairwoman of the Stanislaus County Republican Central Committee. E-mail her at columns@modbee.com.