Gov. Davis Lessons For Democrats

How could somebody "with experience money can't buy" win the office in a 20-point landslide, then five years later become the first statewide official in California history to be recalled by voters?

These are not two reasons:

• His policies. On most issues — education, crime, environment, guns, abortion, health care, even taxes — Davis was in the California mainstream. He hurt himself while triggering a car tax increase, but another governor could have squeezed that same trigger without mishandling it. He overspent — caving in to liberals — but for programs the public wanted.

• His "dull" personality. Predecessors Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian weren't any more charismatic than Davis. But each served two, fairly productive terms and went through tough times, especially Wilson.

Davis' failings were these:

He lacked three assets crucial for any California governor. They are long-range vision, core convictions and people skills. A governor can survive without one, maybe two, but not all three. He must have them to lead. And voters want a leader.

Only a few times — notably on education early in his regime — did Davis try to lead. Mostly, he was incapable or unwilling.

• He thought small.

• He had no ideology. It seemed his only core commitment was to reelection.

• He wouldn't schmooze. Worse, he was insensitive and rude.
Davis was late to everything. He seemed to delight in not returning phone calls. Never tried to build relationships with legislators or with voters.

By the public trial, he had few friends and little credibility.