Before Gov. Gray Davis’ speech at UCLA last week, aides
said the governor planned to address the roots of his
unpopularity.
If that was Davis’ intention, he failed.
Doing what seemed, at times, his best imitation of Mr. Roboto,
Davis offered mild self-criticism for his part in the state’s
energy and budget disasters ““ “I wish I had known then
what I know now,” he said. But even if he had more openly
shared his failures regarding the two crises, Davis would have
missed a crucial point: People don’t like the governor
because they view him as an insider politician. They see him as
obsessed with his own power, manipulated by big donors and special
interests ““Â as a man who couldn’t give a damn
about what’s actually best for the public.
Davis did not square with voters regarding his unpopularity last
week; rather, his stunt at UCLA reeked of the kind political
manipulation and lack of candor for which so many detest him.
Before the governor spoke, Ackerman Union’s Grand Ballroom
was sectioned off; Davis spoke to a smaller number of people than
could fit in the room. Hand-picked supporters, who clapped and
booed and chanted as if on cue, were brought in, and the public at
large was kept out. Davis ““ whose top priorities were
“education, education and education” ““ addressed
the roots of his unpopularity with students by keeping them from
their own student union (a few students stood in the back).
It wasn’t the first time Davis kept the public at bay
while visiting the state’s largest public campus. To get an
idea of Davis’ style, voters can examine the governor’s
visits to UCLA over the last year:
“¢bull;Â In August of 2002, Davis met with union leaders and
workers at Lu Valle Commons after dozens of ASUCLA non-student
employees won the right to unionize.
“¢bull;Â Just before the start of fall quarter last year,
Davis appeared on campus to sign HMO reform legislation into law
““ a nice photo-op for the governor. But also in attendance
were advocates of the controversial drivers license bill for
illegal immigrants, which Davis later vetoed.
“¢bull; About a month later, Davis visited campus to appear on
CNN’s Lou Dobbs’ “Moneyline” to defend
himself as he ran for re-election, leaving campus immediately after
the taping.
“¢bull; In the spring of 2003, Davis rubbed elbows with
university administrators responsible for developing UCLA’s
nano-technology institute. The public was not admitted and a press
release sent to media outlets was labeled “For planning
purposes only,” meaning information was given with the
understanding outlets would not publicize the appearance.
Even though he’s campaigned twice for the governorship in
one year and despite his frequent ventures into Westwood, Davis has
yet to hold a public rally, as presidential hopeful Howard Dean did
in Bruin Plaza earlier this year, or as Al Gore did when seeking
the presidency in 2000 (Davis was present at the Gore rally;
perhaps Gore’s people wanted their notoriously wooden
candidate to appear animated).
When Davis visits UCLA, he meets with people he views as
important and stays away from those who are less connected
““Â like students. It’s as though Davis fears the
masses who sent him to office may confront him. Davis’
appearance last week, during which he was supposed to “speak
from the heart,” did not reflect any difference.
It is harder for the Daily Bruin to continue to support Gov.
Davis against the recall ““ even given the recall’s
circus-like nature and partisan origins. The recall is a right-wing
“power grab,” but Davis should realize the recall would
never have qualified were it not for his insulting approach to
public service.