Time for Davis to Lead Reform, or to Step Aside

OK, the recall reeks and there’s no perfuming it, even with all the grandiose talk about direct democracy.

This is direct democracy run amok during a public tantrum.

“As a disciple of James Madison, I have reservations about direct democracy,” says government professor Jack Pitney of Claremont McKenna College, a former researcher for the Republican National Committee.

In the Federalist Papers, Madison warned about the “spectacles of turbulence and contention” resulting from “pure democracy.”

This recall was born of mischief, vengeance and opportunism -- and will cost taxpayers $60 million-plus.

It’s a bad precedent that, if successful, will create a new weapon for demagogues, multimillionaires and money-grubbing consultants.

Gov. Gray Davis may be guilty of incompetence, but being inept is not an offense that justifies a recall.

“Incompetence is so pervasive in government and politics that if it were a criteria for recall, we’d have them all the time,” says Jack Citrin, a UC Berkeley political science professor.

“Recall was intended for malfeasance,” affirms state Librarian Kevin Starr, an author of eight books on California history. “It’s now being used as a normal political instrument.”

Of course, many Republicans are justifiably angry at Democrat Davis for meddling in their gubernatorial primary last year, pouring $9 million into a TV attack that crippled former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan. “Puke politics,” Democratic Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer recently called it. More and more, it’s also looking like a murder-suicide.

“It was egregious interference in the Republican party,” says UC Berkeley political scientist William K. “Sandy” Muir, a former GOP speechwriter. “I’m kind of pleased about the recall because it’s so much better an election than last November.”

That’s when voters reelected Davis. And he’s the same governor now that he was then. The best his attackers can claim is that he lied during the election campaign about the depth of the growing budget deficit. Balderdash -- the strongest word I’m allowed here.

Half the registered voters didn’t bother to cast ballots. They had their chance then.

BUT -- and it’s an overriding but -- the reality is that these no-shows and all of us will be given a second chance on Oct. 7. The tantrum has exploded into a full-blown anti-Davis, anti-Sacramento revolt.

And the public is not all that concerned about what’s the proper political process. It’s excited about sending a message -- and the prospect of the Terminator “pumping up Sacramento” and “cleaning house.” Whatever he means by that.

Voters are motivated by personality, not process.

“In the end,” Citrin predicts, “this is going to be about ‘Who do I want as governor?’ ”

Every Democratic pol I’ve talked to thinks Davis’ chances of survival are slim to none. “He’s done. I’m starting to get mad at him,” one told me. “He’s got to get out.”

Resign, many whisper, to let the air out of the recall. Step aside for Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and give him a boost in the replacement election that must be held anyway. It’s the Democrats’ best shot of holding the office.

But even in this wacky election, the last thing to expect is a Davis resignation.

“Naw,” says historian Starr, “it’s not too late” to beat the recall.

“The most effective strategy for Davis is to get out in front of the parade,” Starr says.

That would be the parade of Californians demanding change in Sacramento -- and not just in the governor’s office.

Get out and lead as Gov. Jerry Brown -- Davis’ old boss -- did in implementing Prop. 13 after voters passed it over his opposition.

It’s a safe bet that Arnold Schwarzenegger soon will be announcing his plan to “reform Sacramento.”

Davis should also get out in front of Schwarzenegger with a plan, at minimum, to pass budgets on time, stabilize tax revenues and balance expenditures against cash flow.

Some sincere mea culpa would help too.

“This recall, with all its expense and emotion, has to yield something and that’s the re-stabilization of California,” Starr says. “The governor should put himself at the head of the movement to reorganize state government along tracks of accountability, acceptability, sustainability, suitability.

“Once we’re caught in this thing, we have to earn something from it.”

Professor Pitney, despite his reservations about direct democracy, thinks the recall election may be a net plus. “It’s engaging people in politics. If it gets people talking about issues -- and not just Schwarzenegger movie lines -- it’s a good thing.”

Davis shouldn’t bank on being saved by voters like me who think the recall is foul-smelling and a farce. It’s a fact and, for many, it’s fun.

He shouldn’t waste his breath yelling at the parade to disperse.

He should step up front and lead it -- or step aside for Bustamante. Otherwise, he’s likely to be trampled.