[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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[Mind-numbed Robot]

Yet few analysts believe Davis is in danger of losing his job in November, if only because the middle-of-the road voters who decide most state elections already have a dim view of politics.

Does the name Ronald Reagan ring a bell? I think the pundits are in for another surprise.

[heleny]

"It's unusual for a Democrat to recommend regressive taxes," said Barbara O'Connor
Yes, but it's common for them to raise taxes.
Overall, our taxes are progressive, and these (sales tax, vehicle licence fees, cigarette tax, etc.) are still new taxes.
Davis also adopted policies that will raise our taxes in the future to pay for his mortgages.

Davis says ... he is forced to govern in a crisis.
The crisis is his fault.
Maybe Davis should step down. We won't force him to govern.

"My opponent, the Republican Party, ... won't provide their alternative suggestion."
Davis said he would listen to suggestions for improving his budget.
I would have taken him up on that offer, and I might have started by crossing items off his budget. But, then I remembered that he charges money to meet with people and requires exorbitant campaign contributions to implement any ideas.

Having raised money from nearly every interest group in the state, the governor can hardly make a move without someone suspecting a conflict of interest.
Rewrite:
Having raised extorted money from nearly every interest group in the state, the governor can hardly make a move without someone any sane person suspecting a conflict of interest backroom deal.

Teachers Association as proof that campaign donations don't buy influence
Rewrite:
Teachers Association as proof that insufficient campaign donations don't buy won't guarantee continued influence

I heard on the radio that Gray Davis issued an executive order requiring competitive bidding for contracts over $100k until the state legislature writes similar regulations. He's trying to do damage control for his Oracle extravagance, and is trying to get the media to move away from that embarrassment to him. Maybe it's working.