Keeping His Fete on Ground

Gray Davis threw a splashy, costly bash when he was inaugurated for his first term in 1999. The state was flying high. Tax dollars were pouring into the treasury at an unprecedented rate. And Democrats were swooning over the greatest election victory by a governor-elect in nearly half a century. There was some cluck-clucking over the special-interest donations that financed all this, but no one begrudged Davis the opportunity to celebrate.

That was then. Today, Davis nears his second term after winning a narrow victory over a weak GOP challenger. His personal popularity is in the pits after the electric power debacle of his first term. And the state treasury is bleeding red ink, suffering the most massive budget shortfall in state history.

Davis at least recognizes the reality of the times and the need for some austere symbolism. His second inaugural will be about as minimalist as those of Gov. Jerry Brown in 1975 and 1979, whom Davis served as chief of staff.

Davis helped craft Brown’s “small is beautiful” approach to the governor’s office. Brown drove a blue Plymouth from the state auto pool and slept on a mattress on the floor in an apartment across the street from the Capitol.

On inaugural day, he held simple swearing-in ceremonies in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles and then repaired to a Chinese restaurant for a quiet supper with friends and staff.

Four years ago, Davis held multiple-day events that included a $125-a-ticket entertainment extravaganza at Arco Arena and a black-tie ball at Cal Expo. In all, 13 events cost donors nearly $4 million.

This year, there will be no furs or tuxes. A “Celebrate California” jeans-and-barbecue event will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center the night of Jan. 6. Ticket price: $15. Davis will be sworn in at noon that day.

The inaugural weekend will begin Jan. 4 with a “day of service.” Davis and supporters will conduct cleanup and beautification projects at two sites in Southern California.

No one is talking “small is beautiful” these days. But terms such as low-key and austere are quite acceptable and appropriate to these difficult times. Let’s hope the Legislature picks up the same theme.