Recall Update

Recall supporters have no polling data to predict the outcome of the recall election, but the results are becoming clear. Some are guessing that Councilman Lance MacLean will be recalled by a margin of at least two to one. Others say it will be closer, but they agree MacLean’s political career will end with the election on Feb. 2.

While MacLean’s out-of-town financiers have paid for phone surveys, recall supporters have watched the MacLean camp’s behavior to gauge each one. Following the first survey in October, MacLean’s supporters hustled replacement candidate Dave Leckness into the race. Not only did the move reveal that MacLean was going to lose badly according to the poll, it was a strategic error as well. Leckness’ early stance was that everyone should vote “no” on the recall and then vote for him. Those who genuinely support him will vote for the recall as well, diminishing MacLean’s chance of surviving.

In the latest phone survey, conducted last week, voters were asked only one question: are you voting for the recall. When a community activist received the call, he asked the caller about results after saying he would vote to remove MacLean. The activist said the caller responded: “I’ve talked with seven people. Counting your answer, the total is six for the recall and one against.”

While it would be a mistake to take seriously any answer from someone paid by the opposition, the activist’s report about the survey was consistent with informal data. Recall supporters have been calling their precincts to get out the vote. They say voters generally support the recall, and they’re voting for Dale Tyler.

MacLean’s supporters have had an uphill battle from the beginning. They didn’t take the signature drive seriously, and their campaign against it was primarily to harass those gathering signatures. After the recall qualified for the ballot, MacLean said from the dais that the campaign would get ugly. Voters apparently haven’t been attracted to the hit pieces against the recall, including a picture of a toilet on a mailer. Such trash stuffed into mailboxes isn’t inspiring voters to join the union’s $100,000 anti-recall crusade.

The watchdogs supporting the recall are longtime residents who care about their city, and those launching the attack against them are lobbyists, special interest and developers who don’t live in Mission Viejo. The four MacLean supporters who have appeared on street corners and made virulent remarks during council meetings are seen for what they are: angry people who are waging personal attacks against fellow community members.

This blog received an email that was forwarded from a recall supporter who joined the Jan. 30 rally to wave a sign in favor of the recall. It conveys the spirit of the recall and those who have been attracted to join the effort to improve their city’s government:

“It was a privilege to be at the street-corner rally today, reminding voters to support the recall of Councilman Lance MacLean on Feb. 2. It was such a day that will mark a special milestone in the history of shaping a great city filled with extraordinary people! … Even through the tough times as we are all faced with, a common thread still exists here. Yes, some residents feel differently about the recall, but it's not because they don't care. They lack the knowledge and understanding to grasp what is essential to bring restoration to our great city. The ones who feel differently still have passion though, because it is their belief system. I believe we have already succeeded even though the election hasn't happened yet. Why? We are helping make changes in people. That changes cities and nations.”