Gray Davis: The After 5 Governor
by Carole Wade, Guest
Contributor
August 30, 2002
The
Governor of California is a lot like the “After 5 Cook.” Governor Gray Davis
(right) likes entertaining. He enjoys cultivating new friends at a mere $100,000.00
for each handshake. While the Governor makes his way around the room at a party,
he tries not to be too complicated. And, all the while he keeps his perfectly
fashioned hairstyle in place as he waits on his dessert. Gray Davis is sweet
and speedy. He gives his chocolate-loving Democratic followers just what they
want: rumors that he is a cautious spender.
Governor Davis has style. He has that perfect way of running his life knowing what works for him. He is simple, yet complicated. Poor, yet rich. Friendless, but has many friends. The Governor has a direct way of getting things done.
While most things involve choices and sometimes giving something up, the Governor keeps his energy running high and never gives anything up. He functions best when he doesn’t look left or right. It works for him. But why doesn’t it work for the rest of us here in California?
Gray Davis makes a “career” out of raising money. Although he has squirreled away over $30 million dollars, it never hurts to get a little more every evening. Just a short seventy-two hours in August will include: the Governor playing at a golf tournament at the magnificent Squaw Valley resort in Lake Tahoe for a small entry free of $5,000.00 per player. The dinner the night before the tee-off is only $40,000.00, which includes California wines. A few hours later, he’s off to Sherman Oaks for a $10,000.00 a couple VIP Reception. Then, he jets to San Francisco for a $25,000.00 a person cocktail reception.
This is a difficult schedule even for our Governor. In between flights, drinks, shaking hands, breakfast fundraisers, brunch fundraisers, luncheon fundraisers, tea fundraisers, cocktail fundraisers, dinner fundraisers, and dessert fundraisers, Gray Davis keeps a busy schedule which includes manicures and exercising. And, he spends an awful lot of time on his “personal beauty” trademark: his hair.
Professional models would have a difficult time keeping up with him. And they don’t have to run the largest State in the Union.
There is nothing wrong with Governor Davis’ goals. He is a beautiful person who lives in Hollywood. And while sometimes we think that he’s just a decorative object on First Lady Sharon’s arm, Governor Davis knows that he is always the center of attention. We all know that if you want to “smooze and hang” with Gray -- just pay-up. Many articles have been written about Gray Davis referring to him as a “coin-operated Governor.” Actually, this is just his style. Governor Davis is a living, breathing, well-coifed individual whose presence is always felt. Missing of course is wit. Fortunately, his routine does not need it.
Governor Davis is always in a beautiful frame of mind. When he gets up in the morning and looks in the mirror, it’s hard for him not to say, “This is going to be good day for me.” The Governor loves life.
Gray Davis tries to surround himself with attractive, interesting-looking men and women. His staff is the epitome of attractiveness. His aides are not complainers. They tow the line without the usual office political pettiness. The Governor’s office begins with pleasing itself first. While they claim to “want to listen,” getting their ear without a large cash donation is almost impossible.
Let’s face it. People like you and me can’t make an appointment to ask his aides for a favor like, “Why the hell did you (Governor Davis) spend all that money without letting the citizens of California vote on it?”
Gray Davis’ style has awarded him a very special place in California. His hair. His dark blue shirts. His open-handed palms. They all reflect his knowing how to handle people. He cultivates business friendships through their checkbooks. He knows how to express his warmth when they “cough-it-up.” He is pushy and manipulative without being pushy and manipulative. He knows how to accept invitations. He knows how to turn them down. There’s nothing difficult about any of it. Governor Davis does it according to $5,000.00, $10,000.00, $25,000.00, $50,000.00, and $100,000.00.
A lot of people feel uncomfortable about his. They shouldn’t. Every politician does it. Governor Davis just does it better. And, greedier. Fawning and simpering and yessing people right and left won’t work with him, unless there is something “big and green” in your hand.
In any event, the next time you receive an invitation from Governor Davis asking if you would like to spend some “quality time with me,” just remember: $5,000.00 will not get you anywhere, $50,000.00 can get you close enough to check out that “hair,” and $100,000.00 will get you dessert with the “Gov.” Governor Davis: The After 5 Governor. ***
© 2002 Carole Wade
Carole Wade is a writer who lives in Century City, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. She has worked on Team Bush, Rogan for Congress, Los Angeles County Co-Chairperson of the Bill Jones for Governor campaign, the 1987 Bob Dole Presidential campaign, and she is a volunteer for the Bill Simon for Governor campaign. Her first summer position in 1974, before entering Fairmont State College in West Virginia, was an office aide in the Executive Office of the President under Richard Nixon. She is a Governing Board Member of The Republican Coalition and an active member of the Golden Circle of the California Republican Party. She is also a member of the Federation of Republican Women, The Richard Nixon Library, and the Republican Lincoln Clubs of California. Her articles appear frequently in The Los Angeles Times, Daily News, and monthly travel magazines.
COPYRIGHT © 2002 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.
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