GOP Risks Backfire With Ad Attacking Davis

It was the catchy first line of the Republican commercial that caught my attention: the voice saying, “Now, here’s a bright idea.”

Bright idea indeed. Running an anti-Gray Davis radio ad and further politicizing the energy mess.

A mess created and aggravated, in the first place, by Republicans--a Republican governor, half-Republican Legislature, Republican Public Utilities Commission.

Running the spot now as Gov. Davis and the Legislature struggle to prevent rolling blackouts and astronomical electricity rates--and making it even tougher for them to reach bipartisan agreement.

The commercial began airing Thursday on conservative talk radio in the Central Valley, from Sacramento to Bakersfield, and in Glendale and San Diego. The initial buy was small--about $25,000--but the state party says its ad campaign will grow.

In the GOP message, the “bright idea” is Davis’ to “let California government run more of our personal lives and our businesses.” It objects to Sacramento getting “into the energy business.” Never mind that state intervention is what’s presently keeping the lights on without huge rate hikes. At the same time, the ad asks listeners to sign a petition “to make Gov. Davis solve this crisis without raising rates.”

And the punch line: “He’s putting more energy into saving his political life than solving this energy crisis.”

The bright idea for the ad came from the outgoing Republican state chairman, John McGraw, a conservative Silicon Valley entrepreneur.

“The point of this whole exercise is not partisan, but really to bring attention to this and get the citizens involved,” the party chairman told reporters.

Not partisan? “Honestly, a shortage of power in California is not a partisan issue. . . . Listen, I didn’t say this was a nonpartisan ad.”

Huh?

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Republicans just don’t learn. Every time Bill Clinton seemed on the verge of self-destructing, they’d pile on and generate sympathy for the then-president. They’d politicize the affair--and subliminally remind Democratic voters Clinton was their guy.

Now comes Davis. Democratic politicians already were jumping on him anonymously, charging that he’d acted too slowly and lacked leadership. The governor was being hammered in the news media. But the California Republican Party couldn’t resist. It had to pile on--no doubt unifying Democratic lawmakers and reminding voters they’d elected Davis in a landslide.

Let’s put this in perspective: Republicans really should pick their shots carefully. They’re down to holding only one statewide office. And they’re greatly outnumbered in both houses of the Legislature.

The GOP is trying to pick up an Assembly seat in a special election April 3 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The anti-Davis ad money “could better be used” in that race, Assistant Assembly Minority Leader Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) wrote McGraw.

Cox also noted: “Now is not the time for the party to be perceived as playing politics. . . . The rhetoric in the advertisement is not helpful and could, in fact, box in our Republican legislators as they seek appropriate [energy] solutions. . . . All options must be on the table.”

Translation: Some electricity rate increase is inevitable, so back off. The party’s not just in Davis’ face, it’s crowding GOP legislators.

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Aside from the sophomoric politics, the party was behind the curve on this one. Davis already was exhibiting the decisiveness and boldness his critics had complained was lacking.

The governor has launched a statewide conservation effort, and his administration is trying to buy electricity at affordable prices on long-term contracts. Last Thursday, Davis signed emergency decrees that will crank up production at existing power plants and greatly accelerate the construction of new generators.

McGraw claimed the GOP ads prodded Davis into Thursday’s action. This is like the rooster claiming credit for the sun rising.

Want bold? Davis is moving closer to state purchase of Edison and PG&E; power lines. That would bail out the private utilities and--some lawyers believe--buy the state significant control over the flow and pricing of electricity.

The governor also is seriously thinking about teaming up with municipal utilities to build power plants.

Davis and Democratic lawmakers could venture deep into public power without Republican votes. That’s how dominant Democrats are. GOP leaders are trying to keep Republicans relevant.

“We’re trying to work together up here,” says Senate Minority Leader Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga). “The ad’s counterproductive.”

A bright idea that should be turned off. Conserve the politicking for another day.