But overall, the summer has been mild, electric power usage is down 12 percent from last year and there hasn't been a blackout anywhere in the state since May 8. Republicans, who had set up a Web site to record the expected energy crisis, concede that Davis has dodged a disaster. In fact, Davis is not home free. He is pushing a financial bailout bill to avert bankruptcy for Southern California Edison opposed by both free-market Republicans and liberal Democrats in the Legislature. Sale of bonds to replace the billions the state spent buying power last winter and spring has been held up by litigation from already bankrupt Pacific Gas and Electric, leaving a potential hole in the current year budget and assuring the election-year fiscal situation likely will be grim.
Drought conditions threaten a water shortage next year.
Private polls show clear vulnerabilities for Davis. But the potential vulnerability may never be tested. California has not denied a sitting governor a second term since 1942, re-electing two Democrats and four Republicans, most recently Pete Wilson, who was in much worse shape politically in 1993 than Davis is now. And all three potential Republican gubernatorial candidates have serious liabilities. Wealthy businessman William Simon Jr., son of the former Treasury secretary, has impressed Republican insiders as personable and smart.