Less Rhetoric, More Specifics

Tonight may be the last chance for Californians to gain some solid insight into what sort of governor will take office next January in the person of Democratic Lt. Gov. Gray Davis or Republican Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren. Their fourth and probably final hour-long debate will be held in San Francisco.

In their first three encounters, Davis and Lungren spent much of their time attacking each other’s past records on issues such as the death penalty and abortion. These are important matters to many, but they will not occupy much of the next governor’s time.

The state’s 37th chief executive will have to focus on issues such as further education reform, revitalization of the state’s aging transportation system, protection of our natural resources and reform of the health care industry. How will California finance the programs needed to accommodate growth?

We know that both candidates will be tough on crime and friendly to business, but what about the people? How will Davis or Lungren relate to the 33 million citizens of California and reflect their diverse concerns--not just more tax cuts and anti-crime laws, but by improving the broad range of services the state is obligated to provide?

So tell us, Mr. Lungren and Mr. Davis, just how does the next governor plan to govern?