As Democrats swept all Statewide seats last night (with the exception of one still being counted as of publication time), Republicans were left stunned wondering what went wrong. While the experts’ final analysis will no doubt emerge in the coming days, I think it can be boiled down to one simple sentiment: Voters went with the devil they know.
How else can you explain why voters elected to Governor a career politician who has been in politics for 40 years? How else can you explain that voters heard repeatedly in the final days leading up to Election that the former Governor “lights out” Gray Davis was heading up a Jerry Brown transition team – yet they still cast a vote for Jerry Brown?
It’s the devil they know.
You cannot underestimate a human being’s fear of the unknown. It’s why people stay in jobs they hate. It’s why the abused woman stays with her abuser. Fear of the unknown.
Despite Meg Whitman’s superior credentials in business and the real world, voters just couldn’t bring themselves to allow an outsider into the ring during a time of crisis. Time and again this season, I heard from countless voters who said (and I quote), “Jerry is like my crazy uncle. You never know what he’s going to say,” but “at least we know what he’ll do.” The devil you know.
You see, Jerry was Governor before. Not once but twice. California is still standing. He didn’t burn the place down. People figure, what’s the worst that could happen?
Unfortunately for Californians, the worst that can happen is that the far-left Democrats who swept last night’s ticket are no doubt cooking up devilish plans to raise your Taxes on what you drive (think Gray Davis’ car tax), what you eat (think Gavin’s sodas and snack tax), where you live (think Prop. 13) and what you do in your daily life (think AB 32). Devilish plans indeed, from the devil we know all too well.