Inquiry May Shift Momentum in California Contest

New York Times ^ | 5/04/02 | JAMES STERNGOLD

[kattracks]

OS ANGELES, May 3 — After weeks in which Gov. Gray Davis's re-election campaign was running roughshod over his Republican opponent's, it has run into trouble from one of the more feared words in the political lexicon: "shredding."

For weeks a scandal has brewed over whether the state overpaid in a $95 million software licensing deal with the Oracle Corporation. Then there were reports that shortly after the contract was signed last year, an Oracle representative handed a $25,000 check to a technology official as a contribution to Governor Davis's campaign.

On Thursday the California Highway Patrol was called in after an employee of the State Department of Information Technology reported possibly improper shredding of documents there. The state attorney general has now added the shredding to his investigation of the Oracle contract and whether Governor Davis or anyone on his staff acted improperly.

The technology agency has insisted that the shredding was routine, and the governor has said he will cooperate with the investigations.

The tempest embarrasses Governor Davis at a time when he had his Republican opponent, William E. Simon Jr., repeatedly on the defensive.

A recent poll gave the governor a 14-point lead over Mr. Simon, who has faced heavy criticism for not releasing his tax returns.

The Oracle scandal has reversed that momentum, several experts said.

"Simon is sort of the accidental candidate here," said Bruce Cain, a political scientist at the University of California. "Therefore, he hadn't done what serious candidates do, which is to be prepared for serious attacks. Until now, he has had a lot of us scratching our heads. That's why this comes at a great time for Simon."

For his part, Governor Davis has tried to act decisively. The official who received the campaign check from Oracle, which appears to have been submitted legally, resigned on Thursday, another official has been suspended pending the investigation and a third technology official was fired last week.

Mr. Davis has said he will hand over any documents requested and will permit investigators to interview any state official.

"We're letting it all hang out," said Steven Maviglio, the governor's spokesman. "We're doing everything appropriate. The governor didn't know anything about this. He was never briefed. He never met with Oracle. He learned about this problem when he read the newspaper."

Kevin Terpstra, a spokesman for the Department of Information Technology, said that the agency routinely shredded documents and that it appeared those being shredded on Thursday were bad photocopies of illegible Oracle documents.

But Mr. Simon, a conservative who has focused on cutting taxes and shrinking government, suggested today that the scandal could reach Governor Davis. "The dots are starting to be connected, and they paint a very troubling picture," Mr. Simon said. "The taxpayers need to know whether the dots lead all the way to the governor's office."

[kattracks]

ping

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Now with the NY Times weighing in on this we have Davis making the official Scandal List -- Oraclegate would be a good name!

Thanks for posting the article and giving me a ping!

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[bybybill]

This is just another rightwing conspiracy to embarrass the good Governor. He didn`t know, so what if there were shredded documents, companies always state negotiaters deliever campaign $$, companies always get $95 millon contracts with no other bidding, so what if Greyout has been more obsessed with fund raising than even Clinton, NOTHING HAPPENED, THEY`ER ALL AGAINST ME, IT`S A CONSPIRACY, WHO DO YOU BELIEVE, MY OR YOUR LYING EYES, BALH, BALH, BALH

[Grampa Dave]

Understand that Jake Reno is flying out to help Benito Davis.

First he/she/it will borrow a tank and burn down Whoreacle's head quarters and take Ellison out. Then, she will be blow up every church on her victory lap to Sacramento just for the Gay vote and for the chilrun.

He/She/It will blame Bill Gates and President Bush for this little problem that she has barbequed over with her borrowed tank.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

LOL!

Time to turn in!

See you tomorrow!

[LenS]

A recent poll gave the governor a 14-point lead over Mr. Simon, who has faced heavy criticism for not releasing his tax returns.

What poll was that? And why doesn't the NYT mention it's name?

[goldstategop]

That was the Field Poll. Its the only one that shows Gray Davis with a 14 point lead. What the New York Times doesn't mention are the obvious qualifiers: first, the Field poll leans left and second, as many respondents said they would not vote for Davis against cause they disliked him. Almost 50% said they would not vote to reelect the incumbent governor under any circumstances. Once you bring the above caveats into context, Davis' lead in the Field Poll is far from impressive and could very well melt away by September. The Oracle scandal is just the tip of a set of crises awaiting the governor. As Yogi Berra once said, "you ain't seen nothing yet."

[Liz]

Steven Maviglio, the governor's spokesman (said), "....The governor didn't know
anything about this. He was never briefed. He never met with Oracle..............."

"The Governor is shocked, SHOCKED. He had no idea. He's only the governor, not a mind-reader.
How's he expected to know everything that goes on in his government? Affect the race? What race?
He's running? For what? He didn't know he was a candidate for office. Energy crisis? What crisis? "

[John Jorsett]

Man, this is too good. I hope Simon's people are working to keep this story in the forefront. Judging by the newspaper coverage, at least they're doing their jobs. I don't watch network news any longer. Has anyone seen any television coverage yet?

[Wave Rider]

PING - It's time to wing the Socialist State of CA from Gray out Weasel and the rest of the Liberal Nuts and Fruits and re-install some common HORSE-SENCE to it.

ALSO afterwards it needs to round up the remaining 80% of it’s population, of which is Illegals and deport it South of where it came….

[d14truth]

SAYS: Turn California's 'Gray Daze' into "GREAT DAYS"!

[d14truth]

"For his part, Governor Davis has tried to act decisively."

Datarape

What Gov. Davis and his 'Oracle' did to the State of California taxpayers?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Rofl!

Kool!

That's for both post #12 & #13!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Saturaday morning OC Register had some quotes from Simon and a nice Headline -- "Rattled Davis wants to toss out Oracle deal"!

I'll post it in awhile if not up yet!

[Liz]

DATARAPE: What Gov. Davis and his 'Oracle' did to the State of California taxpayers?

ROTFL. Your series of Karnak posts are delightful. More please. Should be a regular FR feature.
However, what graydavis did to the State of Cali can be best summed up in a simple four-letter word.

[d14truth]

OK, Liz(just for you)--

DEBT!!!

Liz's simple 4-letter word summing up Gov. Davis' contributions to California the last 3 1/2 years.
******
Not even close, you say. The 'Oracle' is a little fuzzy this morning.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I just want to say ditto to what LIZ said on your KOOL additions to the threads.
Both the Karnak (sp?) and the Simon says -- !

[ElkGroveDan]

I am NOT a crook !

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The NY Times had that Photo?