Some people might think that it's way too early to begin planning for the 2010 race for governor, when term limits will force Arnold Schwarzenegger to step down and the seat will be open for the first time since 1998.
But when the topic is Atty. Gen. Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr., the master of political reincarnation, time itself is relative and inconsequential. So let the speculation begin.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 76 words Type of Material: Correction
Rose Bird: An article in Section A on Aug. 19 about California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, and previous articles in the Times, have described former California Chief Justice Rose Bird as having been recalled from office. Bird was the target of unsuccessful efforts to hold a special election to recall her. However, she lost her seat in a scheduled November 1986 election in which voters were asked whether she should receive another term on the court.
First, let's dispense with the legalities. It wasn't until 1990 -- eight years after Brown's second term as governor ended -- that California voters approved a constitutional amendment limiting future governors to two consecutive four-year terms.
Poof! Brown's time in office doesn't count because the law is not retroactive.
Then, you might ask, "How would he do?" Which, for the sublimely self-confident Brown, is the wrong question.
"It's not about how I would do, it's about what I want to do," he said the other day when asked about his chances if he ran for governor in 2010. "And I don't have any thoughts on that at this moment."
But a longtime political adversary, Republican consultant Ken Khachigian -- who says that "I've studied him like Patton studied Rommel" -- believes he knows Brown's intentions. "My theory is that Jerry still wants to run for president," he said. "If he runs for governor, it will only be because he wants to run for president -- he'd view it as a stepping stone."
Sources who have spoken with Brown in the last several months say he hasn't discouraged the speculation, though he downplays private polls conducted by interested parties that show him the 3-2 favorite among Democrats, saying the poll results merely reflect his base.
Which raises the question of the potential field. Among the Democrats, all have their problems.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's public affair with a prominent Latina newscaster has raised questions about his judgment and character. And, by law, he cannot raise money to run for governor and seek reelection in 2009 at the same time.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's affair with his campaign manager's wife was equally messy and has weighed him down with some heavy baggage.
Former Treasurer Phil Angelides had his shot at the governorship in 2006 and lost. Former Controller Steve Westly couldn't win his party's nomination the last time despite his vast wealth. Lt. Gov. John Garamendi strikes many Democrats as old news. And nobody knows Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell.
