Free Republic

<p>Gray Davis came into the governorship of California with a well-deserved reputation for leaving nothing to chance, having survived his decades-long, rung-by-rung climb up the political ladder by capitalizing on, even exploiting, any opportunity to align himself with a popular political position.</p>

<p>SACRAMENTO - A former top state official who worked on the Oracle deal admitted Wednesday that he was told while the state negotiated the controversial contract that the software company planned to give Gov. Gray Davis a campaign contribution.</p> <p>Arun Baheti, the former director of e-government, said that after the contract was signed, an Oracle lobbyist passed him a $25,000 check during drinks at a capital restaurant where the two men also discussed state contracts.</p>