Some voices of California voters on Tuesday and Wednesday:
``I think that the people of California decided to take charge
and make changes instead of letting everything stay status quo. We
all stood up and voiced our opinion. I'm proud of this state.''
Kevin Donaldson, 43, who voted for the recall and for Arnold
Schwarzenegger.
``We needed a change. But I don't like Arnold. I had just seen
him in the movies. I like him as an actor, but not as a governor.
I'm scared. We don't know what's going to happen now. I wanted
Bustamante.'' Jessica Miramontes, 21, at a Camarillo gas station
Wednesday morning.
``This is like a joke to me. I'm so used to him just being an
actor.'' Brenda Jones, 39, of Los Angeles on Schwarzenegger's
election.
``We've got to have something new new innovations, that's what
we need. ... Bring on Arnold. He'll fix it. Gray Davis is history.
And it's just about time for Bustamante to get out, too.'' Jim
Hall, working out at the 24 Hour Fitness Sport gym in Camarillo on
Wednesday morning.
``People followed the bandwagon. People, they don't want to
think for themselves.'' Yolanda Brown, 40, of Los Angeles, a
Democrat who voted against the recall.
``It's time to mix things up.'' Mark Laurent, 33, of San
Francisco, voting yes on recall and for Schwarzenegger.
``I'm horrified at the thought that Schwarzenegger can be our
governor. I'm vociferously against Proposition 54. I'm sick of
Republicans trying to take over the state.'' Gretchen Purser, 25,
of Berkeley, voting no on recall and for Bustamante.
``I think emotionally he will restore confidence to the people
of California. But secondly, because he has a mandate, I think the
Legislature's going to work with him to make the kind of major cuts
we need to make to get jobs back into California and to repeal all
the stupid rules, laws and regulations that are antibusiness.''
Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan on Schwarzenegger's
election.
``If I were 80 years old and couldn't see well I don't know how
I would do this. It's a Neanderthal system.'' Daphne Calphon, of
Hollywood, referring to the 135 names on her punch-card ballot.
``As far as I'm concerned, Gray Davis is one of the dirtiest
politicians I've ever encountered.'' Ed Troupe, 69, of Thousand
Oaks, voting yes for recall and for Schwarzenegger.
``Everybody knows that Gray Davis was a jerk, but I don't think
that's cause to be recalled.'' Michael Mazzocone, 39, of San
Francisco, voting no on recall.
``If he is elected, I would like him to talk about it and
address it if not to me, then to his wife.'' Eda Zahl of
Hollywood, voting yes on recall and for Schwarzenegger despite her
concerns about allegations he groped more than a dozen women.
``I wish I could vote 16 times today. It's extremely scary
what's happened to the state. To me he (Schwarzenegger) exemplifies
a certain kind of violence and misogyny. There are so many reasons
why he shouldn't be taken seriously as a candidate.'' Jesse
Nissim, 27, of Oakland, voting against the recall and for
Bustamante.
``There's no reason to recall a governor just because you don't
like him. I don't like him myself, but he's no worse than Reagan,
Deukmejian or other governors we've had.'' David Rosenberg, 50,
of Oakland, voting no on the recall.
``I think we could be setting a dangerous precedent that other
states might follow.'' Evelyn Collaco, 63, of San Ramon, who said
she's no fan of Davis but was voting no on recall and for
Bustamante.
``He is a politician and that's better than putting an actor in
there.'' Tracey Hanson, 42, of San Ramon, voting for the recall
and for Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock.
``We realized as time went on he didn't have the chance
Schwarzenegger did.'' Mel Roop, 63, of McClintock's district in
Thousand Oaks, voting for Schwarzenegger because he didn't want to
split the GOP vote.
``Even though they are not legal, they should have the same
rights because they are working here and building up this country.
That's how we feel as Latinos. We should have more equality.''
Gregoria Guzman, 61, said in Spanish in San Diego, where she voted
no on recall and for Bustamante.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)