Davis Says Circumstances Beat Him, Hints of Return

[kskiska]

SACRAMENTO — After five years in office, Gray Davis leaves the Capitol today on an ignominious note, the only California governor ever recalled by voters. But far from being chastened, the 60-year-old Democrat has surprised longtime associates with a reaction that some characterize as deep denial of his fate.

He has hinted at a political comeback — sometimes in a joking fashion, at other times seriously — noting that his removal from office so early in his second term means he still could serve another term as governor, said people close to Davis, all speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The historic humiliation he has suffered might have shamed other public figures into shunning the spotlight and slinking into oblivion. Davis has prosecuted his final weeks with a high-profile flourish, winning praise from adversaries for his gracious dealings with incoming governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and for his energetic response to the Southern California wildfires. With a touch of macabre humor, aides have referred to the final flurry of activity as the governor's "I'm Not Dead Yet Tour."

In part, Davis' reaction to his fate — a response that even some close aides consider slightly surreal — is driven by his personal analysis of the recall. In two interviews with The Times, and in other comments to reporters, Davis has depicted his downfall not as a personal repudiation, but as the result of a political storm set in motion by the California electricity crisis in 2001 and whipped into even greater intensity by a bad economy that has damaged the popularity of governors and mayors across the country.

more…
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/recall/la-me-davis17nov17,1,6245761.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Gov. Gray Davis is the next candidate

for the Ahhhhnold recall the minute he screws up California.

Hawkeye-X

[jeter]

2. Good God, I hope not.

Davis is in denile. He was unpopular that is why he lost. Had he resigned and let another Democrat run against Arnold, we'd still control the California governorship.

It's time for someone new.

[dfong63]

3. agreed

davis had his shot, and he blew it.

i also say he should have resigned before the recall gained steam. his selfish egotistical all-or-nothing strategy cost the dems the governorship.

[Ferretherder]

4. Uh, what about the fact that...

...the whole recall was was based on a Repuke 'power grab', and he was trying to stand up to their fascist affrontery to democracy?

Just asking.