Let’s Try to Do This One Right : California needs a gubernatorial campaign that’s worthy of this challenging and crucial moment in the state’s history

Rarely in the 143 years since California joined the union has this state needed strong and creative leadership more than it does now. Decades of breakneck growth and continued immigration, combined with the punishing recession of recent years, have shaken the very underpinnings of the Golden State, now home to nearly one of every 10 Americans. We stand at a critical juncture in our history.

From the beginning, California has stood as the ultimate American symbol of hope and renewal, of dreams fulfilled. Now we risk pointing the way to an American future of despair. We enter a governor’s race whose outcome could well spell the difference between a prosperous 21st Century and one of continued decline of our quality of life and environment. We call on the two main candidates, Gov. Pete Wilson and his Democratic challenger, state Treasurer Kathleen Brown, to make this election a true referendum on the future, to give us campaigns that join the real issues and abjure the sort of shallow sloganeering and smearing so typical of modern-day politics.

In truth both Wilson and Brown have a lot to offer--if they follow their better instincts. Wilson is a tough fighter and a dogged worker in whose wake are strewn the political corpses of opponents who underestimated this San Diegan’s durability and intelligence. Brown, the daughter of one California governor--Edmund G. (Pat) Brown Sr.--and sister of another--Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr.--is a thoughtful politician who brings new perspectives and fresh energy to the sometimes tired practice of politics.

THE WILSON QUESTION: But where is the Pete Wilson so many Californians once admired, the pragmatic Republican centrist--once a superb and progressive mayor--who could bring together opposing forces? The one who had the courage to support abortion rights, to advocate raising taxes when that notion was so unpopular, to promote preventive health programs for the poor and, after resisting, to eventually sign a gay rights bill? California needs that person more now than ever. Having turned back the Republican right to get the nomination, he has the chance to prove himself a moderate and responsible leader. Now is the time for him to say that the original “three-strikes” crime legislation was hasty and ill-conceived, that we need a more sensible alternative. Now is the time for him to take a more nuanced approach toward illegal immigration and relations with Mexico. In his heart of hearts Wilson, we believe, agrees with these thoughts. But one would never know it by the campaign so far.

THE BROWN QUESTION: Treasurer Brown is intelligent and informed. It was thus disheartening last year when she announced her opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement, which offers such promise in the relationship between Mexico and the United States, and especially between Mexico and California. And it will be depressing if she chooses to campaign on the basic theme that Wilson is somehow to blame for everything bad that has happened over the last 3 1/2 years. Whatever Wilson’s powers and charms may be, preventing the awesome worldwide recession that has humbled even powerful California is not among them. So let’s cut the baloney and let the voters see the innovative Kathleen Brown--not some campaign stereotype concocted by back-room campaign strategists.

THE FEARED CAMPAIGN: We suspect that the political advisers to each candidate are now plotting out campaigns aimed at pushing all the hot buttons. Wilson will be advised to hammer on the illegal immigration issue, as if that were the main cause of the state’s problems; Brown will be counseled to harp on the idea of Wilson the Heartless, as if any Democratic governor would have had more tax revenues these past few years to play around with. If the advisers have their way, the campaign will feature too many words and a lot of hot air about the death penalty--a matter that is irrelevant because the law requires whoever is governor to carry it out. End of discussion, please. We believe that Californians are looking for something better--that the winner will be the candidate who is seen to have taken the higher road.

What would be better?

THE BETTER CAMPAIGN: Wilson and Brown should develop their views on some key issues, such as:

1. Is the California Constitution an impediment to the state’s success?

For more than a year The Times and others have been campaigning for the impaneling of a constitutional revision commission. That finally has happened, and the very quality of its members promises that this effort could be something very special. That commission needs to not only propose immediate changes in the Constitution (already many times longer than the federal Constitution and thus cumbersome) but also to propose longer-range, even more politically courageous reforms.

Sample issues: Is a runaway initiative process taking us in the wrong direction? Do we really need two branches of the Legislature? Why is the state budget process such a farce every year?

2. How can the next governor control state operational costs while increasing capital infrastructure investment?

Republicans are right when they insist there is substantial waste in government; Democrats are right when they say the state is not investing enough in our future and new taxes should never be categorically ruled out. That’s the politics, all right; but where’s the enlightened public policy? How can we improve government to the point where taxpayers will feel inclined to actually invest more of their money in it? That’s the billion-dollar question.

3. Everyone complains about Proposition 13--except average citizens, who probably would vote for it again; so, assuming it will be with us for a while (it would take a two-thirds vote of the people to repeal it), what is to be done about the public financing of vital needs, such as higher education?

Now that would make a terrific discussion between these two bright political minds. But would such a debate make the nightly TV news shows? Not very likely; yes, sometimes the news media are part of the problem, too.

4. What to do about the growing gap between the rich and the poor?

Now here’s a problem that can’t be solved with a sound bite. Last year California’s median wage of $21,472 fell out of the top 10 among the states for the first time since records have been kept. Whoever is governor must somehow advance policies that make work worth more than welfare, and help make more work available to those struggling to find it. Otherwise the underclass will continue to grow, and the choice will be between humanitarianism and a growing state welfare obligation on the one hand, and a cold indifference made necessary by the need to balance the state budget on the other.

5. And maybe the candidates could talk about how that gap is related to the crime fear that is gripping the state.

Society should be tougher on violent criminals, no question. Who has any sympathy for a kidnaper or one who rapes a child? But do we wish to put every last marginal dollar we have into prisons, when even police authorities acknowledge that law enforcement alone is not the answer to crime and that economic, social and educational factors are heavily involved? A debate between Wilson and Brown on that issue would be interesting.

6. What about the use and abuse of the immigration issue?

If politicians demagogue this, they will only add to racial and ethnic tensions. No one should want that. The winner of the governor’s race must accept reality: The immigrants, illegal or not, will keep coming. How can we make the best of this fact of life?

7. Are tax credits a boon or bust?

Because of the structure of campaign financing, and the nature of the legislative process, most politicians have never meet a tax exemption or credit they didn’t like. But, as a powerful new study by the Washington-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has pointed out, every new tax exemption is a drain on the state’s ability to pave streets, fund public schools and care for all sorts of needy people. Are the trade-offs worth it? What’s a better business climate--one with great schools, clean streets and adequate public safety but a good measure of taxation or one with low taxes and a deteriorating infrastructure and quality of life?

8. What about the proposed deregulation of electric power?

This could hit the average citizen in the pocketbook more directly than most things that typical political campaigns focus on. Where do the two candidates stand on this historic proposal--already being aggressively pursued by the state Public Utilities Commission?

9. How should the state cope with term limits?

Term limits are probably here to stay, but they have created real problems in Sacramento. It would be fascinating to see the current governor and the current treasurer frankly discuss the new situation in the state capital--how the era of term limits helps, and hurts, the process of government.

10. What else is worth discussing?

There are so many other issues--water shortages, natural disaster response. How about earthquake insurance, and how nearly impossible it is to obtain now? The time has come to end conventional low-road politics. It’s time for Gov. Wilson to exert leadership and talk of the future, it’s time for Treasurer Brown to offer concrete alternatives to the policies she criticizes.

We--the voters--must help in this campaign, too. We need to demand the best, not settle for less. And the news media need to make a special effort to showcase the issues of the campaign. For its small part, the Times Commentary page will offer both candidates the opportunity to contribute to the quality of the campaign with signed pieces on the issues. So we’re putting our editorial space where our heart is: California needs a campaign worthy of this challenging moment in its history.