Here's a thought: what happens if Davis makes "abortion" his key issue for 2002, and he LOSES?
This is exactly what Davis the scumbag is trying to do. Conventional wisdom says that if Davis is the issue and his incompetence is an issue, then he loses; but if Simon is the issue because Davis and his buddies on the media turn him into some out of control right winger, then Davis can win. This is all about an attempt to shift the issue from Davis' incomptence, especially with the energy crisis and budget crisis he created in the state.
"This is exactly what Davis the scumbag is trying to do. Conventional wisdom says that if Davis is the issue and his incompetence is an issue, then he loses; but if Simon is the issue because Davis and his buddies on the media turn him into some out of control right winger, then Davis can win." - KC
You missed the point. The point isn't about Davis merely losing, or Davis merely trying to refocus attention away from himself.
No, the point was that Davis is risking something BIGGER than the California election.
If Davis makes "abortion" the key California governor's issue in 2002, and then Davis LOSES, then the abortion issue is dead (pun intended). To become elected after such a loss (anywhere in this nation), Left-wing candidates would have to abandon their abortion platforms (presuming that Davis makes abortion the key issue and that Davis loses).
In other words, Davis is going for broke.