SACRAMENTO--The most comical scene in the Capitol this year was at Gov. Gray Davis' announcement of his May budget revision.
I mention this now because the episode was then -- and unfortunately continues to be -- indicative of the governor's dearth of leadership in the elusive search for an honest budget that's balanced and stanches the gushing of red ink.
The scene resembled cattle being loaded through a chute onto a cramped truck.
Here were 30 -- maybe 40 -- local officials, sheriffs, union leaders being herded single file onto a tiny stage behind the governor's podium to act as silent props during Davis' announcement. When there no longer was any place to stand and breathe, they spilled over into the news conference room with reporters.
The strategy was to show broad support for the governor's revised budget and, afterward, offer up these supporters for interviews.
What it showed me was that the governor didn't have enough self-confidence to stand up by himself. He felt a need to be backed up and buoyed by a crowd. Sometimes it helps to lean on a few supporters, certainly at a political rally.
But on this day, Davis was making one of his most important announcements of the year, laying out and trying to sell his plan for fixing the budget mess. Not just selling it to the Legislature -- which he isn't doing either -- but selling the public on $8.3 billion in unpopular but essential tax increases.
He needed to look gubernatorial. Stand up sturdily by himself, glare unflinchingly into the cameras and make his case. If I fired every state employee, that would save only $17 billion. We need $38 billion. We need more revenue.
Equally important, he needed -- still does -- to take his case to California's civic leaders, to places like L.A.'s Town Hall, San Francisco's Commonwealth Club, Chico's Rotary.
Shout the T-word. It's not just about taxes, it's about educating kids and caring for old people, investing in better highways....
A governor must do this personally. Surrogates have no soapbox nor listeners. Over the weekend, Davis sent 20 top appointees out across California to promote his budget. He stayed home in L.A. -- "standing by" for a possible call from legislative negotiators, said a spokesman.
To be fair, Davis has lobbied editorial boards and some interest groups. But he also has been spending inordinate time on non-budget matters -- surveying a bark beetle infestation, welcoming back National Guard troops, attending the groundbreaking of an Indian casino....
