by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

No, not dead, just delayed.  They kept pushing their luck on turning in the signatures and now have conceded that they will not make the June ballot.  (Got this via email, but Meyer's blog has technical problems, will update with link later)

The initiative to change how California's Electoral College votes are awarded in the race for the White House will not appear on the June statewide ballot, according to campaign officials.

In a brief statement e-mailed to reporters this afternoon, the California Counts political team said they are now shooting for the November ballot after being unable to gather enough signatures in time for this week's drop-dead June deadline.

"Due to the tight calendar we are operating under and the challenge of raising money and gathering signatures during the Holiday season," says the statement, "we understand that submitting signatures and having them counted in time to make the June ballot, is no longer a realistic goal."

They are now shooting for the November ballot.  However, like Meyers notes that there are two major problems with that strategy.  1) The turnout will not be as favorable for the Republicans as it would have been in June.  2) If it were to pass there would be a court challenge over whether it would count for the election occurring on the same day.

We have killed it twice now and we will for a third time if necessary.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Dear Readers,

My name is Bradley Whitford and I am an actor.

OK, if you want to stop reading now, I won't blame you...

Still here? Thanks. I totally understand your skepticism. I usually cringe when heady celebrities open their big mouths to pontificate about politics. While I may have portrayed political operative "Josh Lyman" on The West Wing, my political experience is probably a lot like yours.

That didn't stop me, of course, from recording a few YouTube videos about a month ago for the Courage Campaign, bluntly talking about the Electoral College dirty trick the Republicans were devising to steal the White House in 2008.

Well, now that the dirty trick ballot initiative is back from the dead (didn't hear the news? yep, some out-of-state fat cats are funding it), Courage is unearthing my second YouTube video. Never seen before. And on Halloween, no less.

You can click here to watch my my new YouTube about the dirty trick to steal the White House. 

But don't just watch the video. Take a second to support the Courage Campaign as well. Rick Jacobs and my good friends at Courage are doing amazing work right now to kill the dirty trick (again) AND block Blackwater's base on the California border.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

(full disclosure: I'm working for Courage Campaign)

While Giuliani's minions scramble around gathering signatures (holler in the comments if you have seen signature gatherers), Courage Campaign is ramping up again to beat the dirty trick initiative AGAIN.  We had pivoted on to Blackwater and are now waging two big battles at once: making sure the Republicans don't steal the White House and keeping Blackwater from opening a mercenary training base in Potrero.

These battles take resources and by that I mean money.  We are dedicated to running a new style campaign, for and by the netroots.  Where these guys are getting million dollar checks from big funders, we are running hard on ActBlue.  We have set a goal of 1,000 contributions on ActBlue all time for No Dirty Tricks.  We knew it would be a reach.  We started the day at 619 donors and we are now at 820 donors. Can you help us reach our goal? You can contribute via the Calitics ActBlue page.

Below the fold is the email we sent to Courage Campaign members today.  On Halloween we will have a surprise from Courage friend and dirty trick foe Bradley Whitford.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Crystal Strait noted earlier that the dirty trick initiative appears to have some new life.  It is unclear quite how feasible it is for them to gather enough signatures to get it on the ballot, or if they really have the money to give it a shot.  The bottom line is that there are paid signature gatherers out there trying to get names.  The LAT Top of the Ticket blog has the latest information:

But in recent days, the state's network of signature gatherers has been abuzz with talk that the initiative is not quite dead. GOP consultant Ed Rollins has told California backers of the measure that he has cash lined up, according to three sources reached by The Times. (Rollins did not immediately return phone calls.)

At this point these are just claims.  They have money, but is it the $2 million or so they would need?  Or are they just making a show.  That would be a huge waste of money.  Who else is behind this?  Some familiar names to the recall and more info below the fold.