Shaken Democrats Take Stock

California’s Democratic officials attempted Wednesday to shake off a collective sense of dismay over losing the governor’s office midstream and instead cast the recall as an individual referendum on Gov. Gray Davis, arguing that the Democrats are well-positioned to win back the seat in 2006.

“This is a Democratic state with Democratic core values and a Democratic agenda,” said Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Culver City). “I don’t view this as a slap in the face to Democrats. I think it’s frustration with the system.”

With a Republican at the helm of the state, voters “can no longer blame us for everything,” Wesson added. “Even though this was a disturbing time, there is opportunity for us to move forward.”

Still, Davis’ loss was a bracing blow for Democrats less than a year after the party won every statewide office, the first such sweep since 1882. Some Democrats worried that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s election will vastly complicate their legislative goals and political agenda.

“It’s really tough,” said Democratic political strategist Bill Carrick. “The truth is, having a Democratic governor is very important to the party.”

Schwarzenegger’s overwhelming victory quieted previous speculation that Democrats might immediately launch a recall campaign against the new governor. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), among others, urged Democrats to avoid any such move.

Instead of another recall, political attention quickly shifted to Democrats who may challenge Schwarzenegger in the 2006 gubernatorial race.

“I think there’s a tremendous opportunity here,” said Democratic political consultant Darry Sragow. “The public has made it as clear as possible that they want change, and I think you’ll start to see Democrats jockeying in a way that will be positive for voters.”

Many political analysts said the error-prone campaign of Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who lost to Schwarzenegger by 17 percentage points, hurt his ability to seek the office again, especially since he ran against the wishes of many party leaders.

“I don’t think you can have a verdict that anything that happened to Bustamante last night was good,” Carrick said.

Bustamante campaign strategist Richie Ross acknowledged that the lieutenant governor took a risk by jumping on the recall ballot. “He ran after everyone said no one should run, and with that comes a price you pay,” he said. But, he added, “people get over it.”

Meanwhile, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi and Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer, all viewed as probable gubernatorial contenders in 2006, began staking out positions.

On Tuesday night, Angelides said he plans to challenge the new governor on fiscal matters and “hold Mr. Schwarzenegger responsible for his promises.”

“There is going to be no honeymoon,” he told Democrats gathered for an election night party at a downtown Los Angeles hotel. “Mr. Schwarzenegger should expect a full debate and a calling to account.”

Lockyer struck a more conciliatory tone, noting that Schwarzenegger will come into office “with a significant mandate.”

“We’ll have to see what policy changes occur to know when it’s appropriate to work together and when you want to be critical,” he said. “I don’t start by assuming that we should be critical.”

Garamendi cast himself as an independently elected official and said he does not believe Tuesday’s election reflected dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership. The recall, he added, “was very much a Gray Davis thing.”

Other Democrats worried that Schwarzenegger’s star power could give a boost to Republicans who challenge Democratic incumbents in state legislative races.

Party leaders also acknowledged that they must examine their ability to move Democratic voters, who did not rally to defend Davis’ bid to hold on to his job, despite an appeal for unity.

“We’re concerned about turnout and how to improve that in the next cycle,” said state party Chairman Art Torres.

Feinstein said that Democrats need to build a base “as wide and deep as you can get it,” rather than relying solely on traditional supporters like union members. But she insisted the party retains values that resonate with Californians.

“We’re for the working man,” she said during a news conference at her San Francisco office. “We’re for the eight-hour day. We’re for government working for the person in need.”

*

Times staff writers Dan Morain and Lee Romney contributed to this report.