I. Am. In. Awe.

by David Safier

A possible recall drive directed at Romero, Uhlich and Walkup. It's front page news in today's Star.

These folks have us so outflanked on the PR front, it's amazing.

Think of it. During the lull between last November's elections and the primary campaigns, which don't get much media attention until June or later, they step in with a brand new piece of political theater.

And look at how they put it together. Walkup is in the mix, so the recallers can say it's not about going after Democrats. Why, the guy behind the effort, Humberto Lopez, who according to the Star is a "local real estate developer and investor," is a registered Democrat. Sure, he supported McCain's 2008 presidential bid and Bee's run against Giffords, but he's a Democrat! (And this is all his idea, right? No group of well placed pols and business people backing him up, promising money for the campaign, plotting out who is the best front man? Right.)

"How dare you say this is about partisan politics! We just care about our city."

For the right wing, the world is a combination circus and TV reality show. It's all about glitz, glitter, hype, unpredictability and audience draw, substance be damned. And they do it so well.

Will anyone mention this recall effort is a temper tantrum by a spoiled kid who didn't get his way in the elections? The rough equivalent of the anti-health care shouters at town halls?

Won't this cost the city money if the recallers get enough signatures for a special election? I don't know the mechanics, but I'm pretty sure we'll need a recall election. How many police and fire jobs will that cost?

But never mind. If the recall effort becomes a reality, they will get endless ink and TV attention. Maybe even national press.

I. Am. In. Awe.