Yeah, thanks, Perata -- for nothing, that is

last updated: May 09, 2008 02:57:22 AM

From the time it was instigated last summer, the effort to recall Sen. Jeff Denham has exemplified the worst of partisan politics. The only questions worth debating were the motives of Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, who funded and engineered this recall: Did he really think he could get a Democratic supermajority in the Senate by forcing Denham out? Or was he out to undercut Denham's long- term ambition for statewide office, specifically lieutenant governor, in 2010?

Or was the Oakland Democrat still seething that Denham, who early in his career got a plum committee chairmanship from Perata, didn't cross party lines and stand by him through last year's budget stalemate? In the end, it was probably some mix of all those vengeful purposes. Similarly, there are probably several reasons Perata decided to call off his dogs Wednesday.

But it's too little, too late.

For one thing, the recall is already on the June 3 ballot. Nothing Perata says or does now can change that. Voters still must check the "No" box to make sure this recall gets put away for good.

For another thing, in dire budget times, Perata wasted taxpayer money with this attempted political assassination. In the five counties in the 12th District, registrars of voters and their workers spent hours going over petitions for the recall at the same time they were preparing for and conducting the February primary. There will be more expense in having to count the votes.

Finally, the whole incident was an ugly example of the worst uses and abuses of power. First, Perata denied he had anything to do with the recall; then, Wednesday, he took credit for calling it off. So, in which instance was he lying? It is this kind of poisonous feuding that feeds Californians' distrust of Sacramento and that sours citizens on voting. It also is the kind of devious shenanigans that discourage thoughtful people from running for public office.

In the end, this whole unfortunate recall effort says a lot more about Perata than it does about Denham. The latter has been a strong representative for his district, not always 100 percent consistent in his votes but with a good record of paying attention to the needs of constituents.

As for Perata, this is only one more indication that he's a heavy-handed political goon; a thug who has never cared about the San Joaquin Valley, except to meddle in our politics when he thought it might give him some kind of advantage.

Fortunately, he steps aside from his Senate leadership post next week and is termed out of the Senate at the end of the year. Good riddance.

If Perata's announcement to end the recall helps speed meaningful budget deliberations, that's good. But he doesn't get or deserve any points for what is clearly a political decision, not a magnanimous gesture.

Finally, for those of our readers in the 12th Senate District, remember that you must vote 'No' on the recall. And leave blank the box for Simon Salinas, the lone candidate to replace Denham. Salinas is a Monterey County supervisor whose name is on the ballot because he was the only one willing to attach his name to this fiasco.

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