About this Blog
Direct democracy -- the Switzerland-inspired system of initiatives, referenda and recalls that allows voters to make and repeal laws in 24 states -- is poorly understood. It isn’t even very direct. Direct democracy has become blockbuster democracy: a half-billion-dollar international industry of signature gatherers, consultants, and election lawyers who use ballot measures less as a method of making law and more as a tool of mega-communications to boost some politicians, hurt others, and supplement lobbying campaigns.
Blockbuster democracy is a decentralized business that practices wide-open politics. This blog aims to provide a center of news, analysis and conversation for and about the industry. We will report from blockbuster democracy’s capital -- California -- but we’ll monitor ballot measures from across the country and around the globe.
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Could California Recall Spark A Statewide Run?
Under the category of What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger, here comes Jeff Denham, the Republican state senator who survived a recall attempt Tuesday. In fact, the recall was something of a victory, with more than 80 percent of voters in his district casting ballots against. In a time of bipartisan anger at California's elected leaders, such a vote is a sign of strength. Denham also showed a talent for raising money--even after Don Perata, the state senate's Democratic leader, who organized the recall, announced he was abandoning the campaign against Denham. More than two decades ago, San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein got an enormous political boost by easily beating a recall effort. Could Denham benefit in a similar way? He's the sort of moderate Republican who can win statewide -- if the public learns who he is.
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