TERMINATION?

As Bustamante Gains, Davis Inches Toward Backing Him (Mark Z. Barabak, Matea Gold and Dan Morain, August 22, 2003, LA Times)

Gov. Gray Davis edged closer to abandoning his me-or-nothing strategy against the recall, as key Democrats rallied behind the backup candidacy of Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante to hedge against losing power in Sacramento.

Bustamante picked up several major endorsements, including the backing of the state's Democratic congressional delegation and a vote of support from the powerful California Teachers Assn. Both groups also urged a "no" vote on efforts to oust Davis. A similar move by state Democratic legislators is expected next week.

In brief comments to The Times after a fund-raising event in San Francisco, Davis said: "Cruz Bustamante is a good and decent person, and I believe his involvement in the race will bring out more voters who will vote against the recall."

"I know some of my aides were of a different view initially," Davis added. "But I believe the excitement of his candidacy will actually attract more people to polls who will vote 'no.' "

Those words stopped short of endorsing Bustamante, but moved Davis closer to aligning himself with the emerging position of the state Democratic Party establishment

It would be a classy end to a career not distinguished by said if Mr. Davis were to endore Mr. Bustamante for the good of his party. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 22, 2003 8:35 PM