"Does he have his faults? Yes. He can talk for three hours nonstop, and you have to sit there for three hours nonstop. But that's about the only real downside."

Continuing to read Gray Davis's oral history. On page 271, he says this of his campaign strategist Garry South: "Have you ever met him? He's larger than life, a very good advocate, and very persistent. I just thought he was perfect for the job.

"See if there isn't something you can learn from it. Now, in some cases there just isn't, but in many cases there is."

Gov. Davis: "Part of it is just—I learned this from Jerry Brown—instead of just saying, 'What a nasty story that was,'see if there isn't some wisdom there. See if there isn't something instructive in it.

"Things could always have been better, but I'm sure I'm partially to blame for that. So I certainly don't think I got a bad deal. I certainly don't think I was treated unfairly."

Gov. Davis: "I think the press over time treated me fairly. Obviously, they were critical on many occasions, but in part that's their role. I don't have any complaints. ...

And this from Gov. Davis: "There's a guy who's an editor at the Chronicle. His last name is Diaz." Interviewer: "John Diaz." Davis: "John Diaz, yes. I like him. He's very fair-minded."

More from Gov. Davis: "Then we have Dan Walters. He's on the other side of the equation, but he's a pretty good journalist. He obviously has a point of view. He's a columnist, and he's generally on the other side of whatever argument I'm on or Jerry's on. He's made a living off of Jerry, literally."

I realize this odd but I am spending the day reading Gray Davis's oral history, produced by Bancroft Library. All kinds of interesting detail. This on the great George Skelton: "I always liked George Skelton. He's still around. He's kind of an old curmudgeon, but he's got a heart of gold." Yep.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2222 to provide money to help journalism. That’s great and much appreciated. Some of those journalists will write critical pieces about Newsom’s policies. That’s how journalism works. Much as he gets annoyed by some coverage, he understands that. I wish all pols did.

I didn’t always agree with the Bee’s opinion journalists’ takes but that’s not the point. Their opinion pieces and endorsements were informed, reported and honest, and they were a vital part of the civic discourse. The layoffs will weaken democracy in Sacramento and California.

Stephen Cloobeck initially toyed with running for governor as a Democrat, then backed Democrat Eric Swalwell before he flamed out. On Labor Day, Sept. 7, Cloobeck donated the maximum, $39,200 to Republican Steve Hilton for governor, a California Secretary of State campaign finance report shows.

Well, Thomas Guides are the best.