A Fair Shot for the New Speaker : Choice of Allen ignites partisan--and lamentable--fires in Sacramento

Even as he relinquished the title of Assembly Speaker, Willie Brown dazzled with his ability to hold onto power. He made himself a soft landing spot, the new post of Speaker emeritus, before he gave way to Republican Doris Allen of Cypress, the first member of her party in nearly 25 years to lead the Assembly, the first woman ever.

The drama in Sacramento followed a battle over the speakership that culminated in the recall of Paul Horcher, a Republican-turned-independent whose vote denied the post to Assembly Republican Leader Jim Brulte. Allen, a moderate who soon faces a rendezvous with term limits, began her tenure by declaring: “I am a Republican. My vote reflects that. I still vote Republican.”

True, perhaps in her own mind and in the minds of moderates. But certainly Allen is not the kind of Republican favored in her home territory of Orange County, where she has gone it alone against a tide of extremely conservative ideology within the party. And while her brand of independence may have been less problematic elsewhere, it is clear that her elevation in collaboration with the Democrats has made her an instant outcast in her own party. There, the ascension thought to have been earned in the national Republican tide of 1994 has been put off for yet another day.

All of this is almost certain to provide more colorful political theater in Sacramento. And while Allen has not been an especially powerful force as a legislator in the past, she has demonstrated a refreshing ability to work with colleagues from the other side of the aisle.

That’s good. Nevertheless, the continued postponement of an authentic assumption of power by the Republicans poses a risk in energizing extremists, who for starters are already clamoring for a recall of Allen. The public will not be well served if an atmosphere of rancor continues.

Allen deserves a fair chance. But the political gusts are continuing. Will Allen really be able to cut through the political games long enough to get the Assembly focused on the people’s business? For now, that remains an open question.