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Even on loyal turf, Davis' message doesn't stir voters
But even on such loyal Democratic terrain, the message fell a little flat. The audience never seemed more than politely engaged -- except when Davis mentioned former President Clinton -- and at times it descended to heckling.
When Davis compared the recall to impeachment and said it was an inappropriate tool to use against him because, ``it means you have done something terrible,'' a man in the crowd yelled: ``You have done something terrible.'' During a ``No on recall'' chant, another shouted loudly: ``No on three-strikes,'' a measure that Davis has long supported.
The reaction underscored how the governor's situation remains more complex than the political slogans he is reciting. From the sluggish economy to the aftershocks of budget cuts, even voters Davis thought he could count on still have issues with him.
Anna Mayes, who runs group homes for emotionally disturbed children, is a prime example. She came to the rally prepared to support the recall because state budget cuts and rising worker's compensation costs are threatening her business.
``As far as I'm concerned, I think he's the reason,'' she said. ``I feel like the governor really is not paying attention.''
It was only after listening long and hard while Jackson defended Davis, saying the governor was being hung out to dry by recall proponents who blamed him for economic problems he did not create, that she began to soften.
``Maybe what he's saying is it's not really the governor,'' she said. ``I can't say that much for Gov. Davis, but I do have a little faith in Rev. Jackson.''
Jack Pitney, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College said Davis' comparison of the recall to impeachment only goes so far. Clinton was under fire for personal misbehavior, but Davis is in trouble because voters think he has done a poor job as governor.
``In this case, Davis' economic management has been a prime issue in the recall,'' he said.
Also, in 1998, when Clinton was under fire, the economy was humming. But Davis is dealing with a recession.
Jacob Smith, 35, a teacher at a neighborhood elementary school, said he thought it would be too much for Davis to survive.
``Why not blame him?'' Smith asked, while getting lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. ``You need someone to blame for what's happening in the economy. He's in office.''
Although he strongly opposes the recall, Smith said he doubted that anything, even testimonials from Clinton, could save the governor's job.
``He's never had a personality,'' Smith said, adding that Clinton could have helped the governor if he were ``someone other than Gray Davis.''
In recent days, Davis has tried to appeal to minority voters and especially blacks by playing off a court ruling to delay the Oct. 7 election. A three-judge panel said that holding the election next month, when some counties such as Los Angeles are still using punch-card ballots, would cause a disproportionate share of minority votes to be thrown out.
The ruling, which drew heavily on the U.S. Supreme Court decision to stop the Florida recounts of the 2000 presidential vote, has given the governor fresh reasons to denounce the recall as part of a nationwide Republican plot to gain power.
But in making the argument, Davis faces trouble from another Democrat. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the top Democrat running to replace Davis if he is ousted, has said twice in as many days that he wants the
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