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From the article: Five Reasons To Let Gray Davis Keep His Job
1. He has done more for education than any governor in recent history.
That isn't saying much – it is horrifying what 16 years of Republican rule did to our state's schools. But Davis promised to focus on education in his first term, and he did so successfully. The cuts he has been forced to make in recent years because of our plummeting economy were largely unavoidable.
2. He is good on the environment.
With this, as with much of his record, we could take issue with Davis on some crucial details. But on balance, his environmental record is good. He has generally worked to protect the coast and inland waterways; to limit water use and land development; to clean up toxic messes; and to promote alternative energy. And his initiative in 2000 to require cars to get better mileage was one of the most significant pieces of environmental policy in the nation.
3. He is solid on the rights of workers, women, gays, and the poor.
While it is a sad fact that candidate Davis is addicted to corporate campaign money, he still manages to do pretty well by the core Democrat constituencies. That's why labor, gay-rights groups, and other advocates support him.
4. When we elected him, we made a deal: We should stick to it.
The deal said four years. That was a year ago. We should voice our discontent; put pressure on him; threaten and cajole him. But it just isn't fair to kick him out of office.
5. He is not Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Okay, we'll admit it: if there was a really good, strong, viable candidate on the ballot, we might be singing a different tune. But if Davis gets booted next week we're looking at Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. That is the best reason to let Davis keep his job.
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