Jerry Brown’s Latest Ploy for Attention

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the political water, Jerry Brown has returned for another dip. He’s off and running for mayor of Oakland, and one suspects his opponents would prefer risking the jaws of a great white over debating street repairs with the would-be philosopher king.

Probably bored, needy for some attention and dead set on jump-starting his moribund career, the Beamer now wants to be called Hizzoner. Still, we all know--don’t we?--that our friend’s ascent to the mayoralty of Oakland is not exactly born of a desire to cap his career as Downtown Jerry Brown. He wants to be president of the United States.

But more on that later.

What’s of equal interest is Brown’s departure from the Democratic Party. While there was no public announcement, the former governor’s registration was tracked down by an opponent, confirming Brown’s new incarnation as a “nonpartisan.”

So the man who once led the California Democratic Party as chairman, and ran as such for each of his offices, has skipped out on the political home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Sr.

Why aren’t we surprised?

Because this is just the latest in Jerry Brown’s long history of self-absorption. Brown defines the “me generation”--beginning with his first Quixotic run for the presidency in 1976 to the 1992 effort symbolized by his 1-800-I’m-a-gadfly toll-free number.

For Jerry, it has not been merely symbols over substance, but symbols which at all times focused attention on himself.

The blue Plymouth compact instead of a black sedan. Look at me; I’m a man of the people.

The spare apartment in place of a governor’s mansion. No bed--just a floor mattress. Look at me; I’m not into material comfort.

The relationship with rock singer Linda Ronstadt. Look at me; there’s star quality.

Unfortunately, his self-absorption was not totally aimless; he channeled it into two terms which in many ways harmed California.

Feckless judicial appointments--led by Chief Justice Rose Bird--created legal rights for criminals and legal uncertainties for the conduct of commerce in California.

Peopling his administration with environmental zealots led to an ongoing war against farmers and manufacturers. They were called “Brownies,” the title for leftist road warriors who strode into their offices each day looking for new ways to bullyrag merchants and businesses into submission.

Brown’s ludicrous “small is beautiful” mantra brought to a dead halt whatever progress there had been in building California’s infrastructure to meet the needs of new generations.

Freeway dollars were spent as fervently on landscaping as on good roads. While father Pat was intent on building California, son Jerry was equally intent on slowing growth or even reversing it.

And now the final insult to the party of his forebears. The volunteers and precinct workers. The envelope lickers and rally attendees. The round-the-clock devotees, starry-eyed youth, and New Deal elders. All who labored mightily for him have now been forsaken for the new, newer, newest Jerry.

Thus we have a glimmer of insight into the aspiring mayor’s thinking. Legal observers advise that California’s term limits law prohibits Brown from running for governor again.

A U.S. Senate seat would bury Brown amid 99 other personalities. And he’s already made three runs for the presidency as a Democrat.

Explaining his registration switch to San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phil Matier and Andy Ross, Brown proclaimed: “This is a stand for independence and separating myself from the scandals and corruption that big money is bringing to both parties.”

So, what’s left is the presidency via a different approach. Sensing the power of reform that Ross Perot ignited and seeing how Willie Brown harvests so much attention as San Francisco mayor, the “me candidate” has discovered the only path left--a run for national office as an independent big city leader.

Jerry’s renunciation of political money brings to mind his destructive influence on the University of California two decades ago. In repeatedly denying pay increases for talented professors, Brown claimed that they and other state officials should be satisfied with “psychic income” from their public service.

Soon, Brown will be asking folks for money to fuel his campaign--even if in small amounts. I have a suggestion to those he solicits: Send in “psychic contributions.”