"Davis: Too Well We Knew You"

Thanks to their right of recall, Californians are finally rid of their most disastrous governor ever. Last Tuesday's vote enabled California citizens to decide on Davis's fate up-or-down in a way they could not on election day 2002 -- when the practical choice confronting them was only that of incumbent Davis or a politically weak, also-much-disliked opponent. Voters stayed away from the ballot box in droves that day, and Davis barely slithered his way to a second term.

Instead of offering a formal obituary of the now-ex Governor, we thought we'd take this opportunity to recall our own take on the governor and his policies. And, by the way, we do think that Davis's downfall had something to do with his policies, not just his unlikable "personality," which is the spin that some politicians and journalists would like to impose. However muddled some Californians may be on matters of public policy, most do realize that when their governor is shooting at them with an wallet- vaporizing ray gun . . . they should duck.

Davis warm-up: the governor hikes car taxes so he can give a car tax rebate.

April 30, 2001 - "The Ego Has Landed"
Davis listens to advice from himself, and takes it. Californians pay.

June 10, 2002 - "Poor Californians"
California politicians double spending, cry poverty.

February 3, 2003 - "Let Them Eat Cake"
Davis okays lavish new spending by the state legislature on the state legislature.

February 26, 2003 - "The Davis Vector"
Californians of all parties seem to agree that Davis is a duplicitous bungler.

July 14, 2003 - "A Little Rebellion"
Voters have the right to say "oops." Not that there was such a groundswell to return Davis to office to begin with.

August 13, 2003 - "Is Voting Anti-Democratic?"
Some people seem to think so. Especially opponents of the Davis recall.

August 25, 2003 - "Go Arnold Go!"
And Gray Davis, you can go too.

August 27, 2003 - "Worse Than Davis?"
The only thing worse than Davis's badmouthing of the recall effort is the badmouthing by state legislators of state legislative term limits.

September 2, 2003 - "Recall Terminates Taxes"
Even before it succeeded, the recall effort probably saved Californians from even higher taxes.

September 18, 2003 - "Taxes Recalled"
Save-Davis car-tax repeal "looks like block-and- feint."

September 22, 2003 - "Killing Democracy Softly"
The principle behind an anti-recall court decision would pretty much derail all elections. There's a reason the Notorious Ninth is so Notorious.

September 23, 2003 - "Thank You, California"
It's not so wild and crazy to be able to defend yourself.

October 8, 2003 - "Walk and Chew Davis"
The thrill of voter victory, the agony of Davis defeat. "Bring it on."