Would-Be California Candidates Whoop It Up for Attention

CHICAGO —  A cry rang out midway through the California delegation’s party at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange one night this week--”Gray Davis is on the dance floor!”--and all who heard it swung around for a look.

And there he was, the former state controller and current lieutenant governor, in the middle of a giant conga line, gyrating--albeit a bit stiffly--to the song, “Hot, Hot, Hot.”

All in a day’s work. With Democratic Party activists gathered here by the thousands, Davis, an expected candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination two years from now, is eager to be noticed by those who write the checks, stuff the envelopes and plan the strategies that win California elections.

Davis is not alone. Two other Democrats prominently mentioned as possible successors to Republican Gov. Pete Wilson--Sen. Dianne Feinstein and State Comptroller Kathleen Connell--have been trying to draw at least a bit of attention to their own prospects, even as the party focuses on reelecting President Clinton.

Davis and Connell found themselves just a few feet from each other granting television interviews the other day. While they avoided explicit mention of their own political plans, at this stage anything they can do to buttress their name recognition is a plus.

Feinstein, easily the best known of the three, need not work as hard. Still, she has gamely made the rounds, even though she is still recovering from broken ribs she suffered during a fall at her San Francisco home.

With Wilson barred by law from seeking another term--and Democrats pining for an office that they have not held since 1982--the race for the party’s nomination could become a crowded affair.

Other names being floated in talks about the ’98 contests are White House Chief of Staff Leon E. Panetta, a former Central Valley congressman expected to give up his current post even if Clinton wins reelection, and Deputy Secretary of the Interior John Garamendi, the former state insurance commissioner who unsuccessfully sought the governor’s nomination in 1990. Though both avoid talk of gubernatorial aspirations, both have been visible at California events this week.

“A political convention is like an industry trade show,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. “It’s an opportunity to network and display your wares. The press, pundits, interest groups and activists are all here. You can conduct a lot of business quick.”

Yaroslavsky said that he is not eyeing another elective post but is trying to conduct county business with any White House officials he comes across. He adds that inevitably, the gubernatorial race and other critical state elections come up in conversations among delegates.

That’s why Davis is often stationed in the lobby of the Chicago Hilton and Towers, where the state’s delegates stay, snagging handshakes with whoever passes. It’s also why he shares the podium with California Democratic Chairman Art Torres at the daily breakfasts of the state’s 424 delegates.

Davis even set up giant silver bowls filled with California-grown raisins for arriving delegates at the hotel--complete with a sign declaring: “Compliments of Lt. Gov. Gray Davis.”

Davis portrays his burst of activity--he also helped inaugurate a new Chicago memorial to Vietnam War veterans--as part of his role as co-chairman of the state’s delegation.

“My focus is on helping the Democrats win in November, not on anything beyond that,” he said. “We need to reelect President Clinton and win back the Congress. That’s what I’m here for.”

But while ignoring the topic publicly, Davis is also here to send a message to those within the party that he is the natural candidate for the state’s top elective post.

Connell, however, is not one to yield to the traditional political pecking order. The former investment banker and director of housing in Los Angeles surprised many when she won her first bid for public office in 1994, succeeding Davis as state controller. With a doctorate in economics and urban planning and a polished manner, she is expected to seek state office again.

When she won her current job over retired GOP Assemblyman Tom McClintock, Connell was her own biggest contributor, lending the campaign $1.6 million of its $2.2 million. Those deep pockets could cause other potential donors to take a gubernatorial bid seriously.

Haunting their efforts is Feinstein, who has not committed herself to a gubernatorial race (she lost the 1990 race to Wilson before capturing her Senate seat in 1992) but has not ruled it out, either. Most political analysts give Feinstein--with her national exposure, fund-raising clout and proven experience in statewide campaigns--the clear edge if she decides to run.

Indeed, one reason for Davis’ frenetic convention activity is his inherent disadvantage in Chicago: Feinstein was granted a speaking role at the convention Wednesday night, an opportunity to reinforce her image as a political heavyweight. Davis, Connell and any other potential gubernatorial rivals watched from the floor.

Party activists are enjoying all the subtle jockeying.

“I think it’s great that these politicians are meeting us and greeting us,” said Steven K. Alari, a delegate and union representative from Long Beach.

“We’re the activists who do a lot of the legwork during campaigns,” he added. “After November is over, everyone is going to start looking ahead and we’ll remember some of the people we met here.”

The state’s big-time Democrats are not the only ones at work. There are congressional candidates, city council hopefuls and everyone in between working all parts of the Hilton--from the busy lobby to the Jacuzzi and swimming pool.

Congressional candidate Rick Zbur, seeking to unseat Rep. Steve Horn (R-Long Beach), staged a fund-raiser at a private Chicago home this week, one of many stops he has made.

“We’ve been doing the circuit--a labor breakfast, a reception held by the vice president, the whole gamut,” said Jeff Fisher, a Zbur campaign staff member. “He zips in and out of as many receptions as he can.”

Like Feinstein, Zbur also got a brief moment at the podium. His race was one of 20 or so congressional contests nationwide that Democratic leaders highlighted. Other Californians given brief speaking slots were Peter Navarro, a candidate for the 49th District near San Diego; Walter Capps, vying for the 22nd District and state Board of Equalization member Brad Sherman, a candidate for the 24th District in the San Fernando Valley.

“The fact that we’re speaking, that we’re going to be right there at the podium, is a huge boost to us,” Fisher said.

Sherman was also thrilled about his three minutes at the podium, albeit well before prime time. He adapted a speech that he had given at a candidates’ forum at the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce, tossing out all his jokes to save time.

But Sherman, realizing like the others that their listeners in the convention hall were hardly hanging on their every word, was not relying on his remarks alone to leave an impression. Everywhere he goes, he has a pocketful of “Sherman for Congress” combs that he hands out like candy.

“The average voter has more use for a comb than I do,” said Sherman, who is bald and has used the comb gimmick since his first run for the equalization board in 1990. “My goal, besides constant, shameless self promotion, is a well-coiffed group of delegates.”