Davis' best tool: A penchant for survival
 

Davis' best tool: A penchant for survival

(EXCERPT) Supporters, his few friends and past foes have learned not
to count embattled governor out, By Tom Chorneau, Associated Press
SACRAMENTO -- Most of the world knows Gray Davis as the unpopular
governor of California who could be replaced in the coming weeks by
one of 135 candidates, including one of Hollywood's biggest
superstars.

Missing from today's headlines, however, are details of Davis' 30-year
career, the five statewide elections he's won and his hard-earned
credentials as one of the state's most successful politicians. And
most important, his supporters say, his penchant for survival.

"A lot of people don't realize how tenacious this guy is," said Doug
Bosco, a former congressman who served in the Assembly while Davis was
chief of staff to then-Gov. Jerry Brown. "He's overcome a lot in his
life, and it wouldn't surprise me a bit to see him overcome this
recall, too."

This challenge, however, is immense. Burdened by long-standing
criticism that he cares more for his own political goals than anything
else, Davis has been blamed -- perhaps unfairly -- for two disastrous
events: the 2000-2001 energy crisis and the state's massive budget
deficit.

Slow to react in both cases, Davis has watched his approval ratings
hit the lowest ever recorded for any elected official in California.
The resentment, a...

U.S. and friendly nation laws prohibit fully reproducing
copyrighted material. In abidance with our laws this report
cannot be provided in its entirety. However, you can read it
in full today, 14 Sep 2003, at the following URL. (COMBINE
the following lines into your web browser.) The
subject/content of this report is not necessarily the
viewpoint of the distributing Library. This report is provided
for your information and discussion.

http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Storie...631801,00.html

---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com