pure political phony interesting anecdote good friend gray man official capacity nexus issue power energy nexus issue ethics conflict interests south asserted pure political phony state renewed ethics attacks put davis defensive politics governor conflict interest problems energy advisors give gop rival bill jones ray hope struggling campaign mark z barabak times political writer 1998 gray davis first ran governor republican rival tested series attacks davis ethical conduct charges improperly used state workers previous campaign accusations placed cronies state payroll questions possible conflicts surrounding davis voracious fund raising activities voters heard allegations simply shrugged response politician course stuff like recalled one gop strategist sat voter interviews conducted republican nominee dan lungren campaign shelved line attack democrat davis romped landslide victory renewed assault alleged ethical lapses time surrounding state electricity crisis issue put governor campaign aides defensive state power crunch appears finally eased charges also invigorated struggling campaign bill jones republican secretary state davis sole declared rival race governor last week jones called conflict interest allegations one significant pervasive costly ethics scandals california history yet evidence profiteering part davis energy advisors let alone governor unless proof many observers doubt revelations seriously set back governor reelection prospects november 2002 see becoming dominant campaign issue said jim knox executive director california common cause good government group one davis prominent critics likely resonant issue going well overall crisis resolved resolved said knox worries controversy contribute corrosive cynicism turned lungren focus group interviews danger could undermine public confidence state government ability resolve crisis best interest knox said surprise governor office experience talent could cavalierly disregard state conflict interest laws appears happened controversy involves nearly dozen davis administration officials financial ties major energy companies business california investments surfaced months officials filed economic disclosure statements revelations resulted part jones pressure five fired others facing state federal investigations garry south governor chief political strategist points firings evidence davis probity clearly governor office feel conflict interest would fired south said others administration may failed promptly disclose ties energy industry absolutely nothing illegal anyone governor staff anyone state government owning stock company whatsoever south said even davis top spokesman steve maviglio earlier month sold 300 shares stock california power company news holdings surfaced maviglio said lost 1 300 transaction least revelations distraction davis time would rather boast blackout free summer mistake need made made said gale kaufman sacramento campaign consultant one rare democratic strategists willing publicly criticize governor fact took correct creates image problem need republicans course see larger problem either incompetent corruption within administration said rob stutzman spokesman california republican party think starts tone example sets work characteristically pugnacious fashion davis campaign sought turn jones charges around accusing secretary state exploiting public office political gain man official capacity nexus issue power energy nexus issue ethics conflict interests south asserted pure political phony jones said political oversight falls well within purview state chief elections officer governor office say jurisdiction area able speak patently false jones said new life jones campaign whatever stake question attention given life jones campaign fighting desperately sustain gubernatorial bid 960 000 contributions jones reported first six months year embarrassingly small california standards bush white house formally endorsed rival richard riordan still exploring race fellow republican william e simon jr los angeles investment banker campaigning governor months yet officially declare candidacy ironically jones efforts may riordan best able capitalize ethics controversy unlike simon political neophyte jones 18 year officeholder riordan decades long business career serving two terms los angeles mayor cut different cloth said sipple gop strategist neutral governor race serves remind people politics slimy game riordan point fact start public service 60 years old even insisting davis nothing wrong strategists say voters make careful distinction governor professional conduct evidence personal enrichment davis best defense argue famously modest lifestyle frugality symbolized 1998 campaign cramped west hollywood home anyone thinks davis used office get rich one advisor said wife sharon throw open door condo