The American Spectator

p> COMEBACK KIDDOS br> You’d think that with a fairly weak — and clearly divided — state Republican Party as his main adversary, California Gov. Gray Davis wouldn’t yet be in panic mode. But apparently something is triggering his fear factor. /p>

State Democratic Party staffers say Davis has spoken to former President Bill Clinton, and that the two will appear together in a series of appearances within the next month or so in southern and northern California. “Probably a couple in L.A., and something in San Francisco and Sacramento,” says a party staffer. “Inasmuch as Clinton is an identifiable national leader, it can’t hurt Davis any more than he’s already hurt himself.

Clinton, though, is not the most popular politician in the state, as he might have been five or six years ago. While statewide polls have fluctuated over the past year, many have shown on occasion that President Bush would have a shot at actually winning the state’s popular vote at any given time. This is a marked change from the Clinton-Gore era, when Republicans were growing as extinct as the California golden condor.

Apparently, though, Clinton can still bring in some cash with his appearances, and lack of fundraising prowess appears to be a Davis concern. While he can still generate funds, there is concern among his advisors that as the recall vote draws near, wishy-washy Hollywood types won’t pay out to Davis the way they used to.

Clinton’s appearance may also be the result of an attempt by Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe to take some semblance of a leadership position in the recall imbroglio. McAuliffe, who is mounting a huge anti-Bush media campaign, has been criticized by other DNC types for not paying attention to the nitty-gritty political needs of the party around the country.

p> LOOSE LIPS br> Sen. Bob Graham , who not coincidentally is running for president, pulled a word scramble worthy of fellow southerner