Democratic Base May Appear Shaky, but It’s Solid Enough to Support Davis

Reporters descended on a state Democratic convention over the weekend to poke at the party’s base--to see how firm it is for Gov. Gray Davis.

For the last year or two, the political wisdom has been that Davis’ support is soft where it should be the strongest, in the Democrats’ liberal base.

There, left-wingers are frustrated with the governor’s centrist policies. He’s not behaving like a real Democrat, the cry echoes. Ideologues are so unenthused that they could walk in November and vote for another centrist, Republican Dick Riordan.

Well, prying and probing around that base--represented by 2,000 delegates and junkies at the downtown Bonaventure Hotel--this is what I found:

* Lukewarm enthusiasm for Davis, at best.

* A lot of enthusiasm for the Democratic Party and keeping it a winner.

* No enthusiasm for taking a walk.

In fact, to truly put this in perspective, you’ve got to look at warring Republicans.

The wounded front-runner, Riordan, has a much bigger problem with the GOP conservative base. And if either of the far-right underdogs, Bill Jones or Bill Simon, should capture the nomination, that Republican candidate would single-handedly rally the Democratic base for Davis.

But the Democratic delegates did send mixed signals. Clearly Davis is not their idol.

As he addressed the convention Saturday, half the audience rose on cue, cheering and waving campaign signs when the governor proclaimed, “I am here to seek your endorsement for reelection.” (Routinely awarded.)

But half the crowd sat, many expressionless.

*

I sat through a 90-minute parade of speakers at the Chicano/Latino caucus, and nobody mentioned Davis’ name except his wife, Sharon. There were no Davis campaign signs.

“We’re going to support him, although we’re not totally satisfied,” said caucus Chairman Placido Salazar, a facilities planner at College of Marin.

Salazar contended that Davis hasn’t appointed enough Latinos to administration jobs.

But “the Democratic base is solid,” he added, and acknowledged the squeaky-wheel tactics always at play: “We have to show some concern [about Davis] to push our agenda.”

Teresa de la Rosa, an immigrants advocate from Porterville, also mentioned a reality about Davis’ demeanor: “He’s not one who makes you feel passionate about him.”

To rev up Davis’ support among Latinos, Davis strategists intend this week to begin airing campaign ads on Spanish-language TV.

The spots will feature Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a piece of the base who three years ago feuded with the governor over Proposition 187, the anti-illegal-immigration initiative. Bustamante wanted a quick kill; Davis finessed a slow death.

Political pragmatism has brought the two back together.

Pragmatism also has forced the governor to buttress a rickety bridge to organized labor.

He could not have won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination four years ago without union backing. But once in office, Davis moved too slowly on labor’s demands for its leaders. The centrist governor was simultaneously wooing business interests and their campaign contributions.

The bridge was bolstered Friday when Davis signed a bill providing significant increases in workers’ compensation benefits for people hurt on the job. He had previously vetoed three similar bills.

I asked the Labor Caucus chairman, Jim Gordon from the communications workers, to assess union feelings about Davis.

“Much better since he signed workers’ compensation,” Gordon answered.

“Maybe it’s his way of reaching back out. Labor’s certainly appreciative. He’d have had a very rough row to hoe this time without labor....He’s a friend who’s getting back on track.”

*

It’s clear that the Democratic Party in California--at this point in history--knows how to seize power and is committed to holding it. The GOP hasn’t shown that for a while.

Democratic politicians have been propelled by a resurgent labor movement, new-citizen immigrants and women frightened of Republicans.

It all feeds on itself with government patronage jobs, the vast majority of them filled by Democratic pols.

When the call went out for hundreds of young volunteers to work the convention, 50% more showed up than were needed.

“I see a lot of people walking around with their resumes today,” said Evelyn Jerome, 30, of Santa Monica, a PR consultant and past president of the L.A. Young Democrats. “Many are hoping to become volunteers in a campaign and get a job when their candidate wins.”

As for Davis, “He’s a tough personality to like,” she said. “But when it comes to issues, he’s there.”

This base will support Davis.