John Fund looks at the idea of booting California Gov. Gray "out" Davis out of office. Fund explores the motivations, and the specifics of the 'recall' process, that has yet to be used to remove a statewide politician from office. Fund does a good job, but I think that he fails to ask one vital question.

Why would anyone want the job?

Inheriting a $35 Billion deficit is not something to be taken lightly. With the struggling California economy, mounting debt, and an exodus of people unable to find work, the odds for governing success are slim.

There is no doubt in my mind that California will eventually rebound, one way or another, but how many political careers will be ruined in the process? While there will undoubtedly be many people lining up to take over Davis' term, what are their motivations? Are they political martyrs, offering themselves up for sacrifice?

I don't think that California's problems can be fixed overnight, or even in a single term. Regardless of who takes the helm, the process is probably going to piss off a lot of voters. Democrats who don't want cuts to the government programs that they worship, and Republicans who want bigger cuts and no more tax increases are both likely to be unhappy in the years to come.

They used to say you can't please everybody, but for California the question is, 'Can you please anybody?'