Here is the interview that I had with Governor Gray Davis today...
Hogue: “As you know better than anybody else Governor, running this state, the state of California, is not an easy thing to do. And one of the phrases that is being bandied about, when you were facing the recall and when we talk about the post recall situation is that this state is ungovernable. As Governor, no matter what you do, if you want to enact real reform or if you just want to sit there and face that opposition, I mean, this is something that must be considered, could you speak to that situation?”
Davis : “Well it’s a very hard job and clearly no one person can do it alone. You need to put coalitions together -- obviously you have to have the people behind you. Even then there are a lot of severe obstacles, I mean just to pass the budget, California’s one of three states in America that requires a 2/3 vote. The other two are Arkansas and I believe it’s Rhode Island, not exactly states with similar demographics or similar complexities, but the bottom line is, it’s an opportunity to do the best….Governor it’s the best opportunity you’ll have to try and make the changes you believe in and I value every day I had it and I thank the people for the opportunity and I wish Arnold well.”
Hogue:“When you talk about the word ungovernable, and once again we’re speaking with Governor Gray Davis, Prop 77 comes up and we’ve caught wind, and I need some clarification from you Sir, that Adelphia Cable had a show that you were on recently and you made mention they’re saying or we’re at least hearing that you’re supportive of Prop 77. You would like to see something done with how we divide up our districts here in California…”
Davis : “Yes. I believe it’s a mistake to have the legislature and the governor draw the district lines. It’s basically a conflict of interest. And I don’t like the results even though I signed the bill last time. My primary concern was that Democrats not try and craft more seats than they won at the prior election in 2000. But I didn’t have time given the energy crisis to see how locked in people are. And my concern is that every elected official should have some sense of jeopardy in a November election. They should have some obligation to the general interest and not just having to win their primaries. And so I think its better off having people who are not combatants in this process, retired judges, draw those lines. Actually, I think of the last 4 reapportionments, Eric, 2 were drawn by judges because the courts threw out the redistrict plans and they turned out fine. So, uh, I’m for that initiative. I’m not for it starting in 2006, but I’m for the concept of having judges draw the lines.”
