Even more ironic: his political success in California likely will do him little good in the one endeavor he pursues above all others -- running for president.

The problem is Wilson's timing. When Wilson launched his disastrous presidential campaign in August 1995, the country and the national media were waiting for his message. But his 30-day campaign, targeting themes such as illegal immigration that had proven successful in California, failed to resonate nationally and he sank without trace. Now he is doing what he should have done before his last run -- building a track record.

The governor of California, almost automatically, is considered a potential presidential contender, or at least a major player at the national nominating conventions. But Wilson is neither. Earl Warren, Pat Brown and Ronald Reagan filled those roles; even Jerry Brown fostered a national political presence. At the Republicans' last convention in San Diego, Wilson was virtually invisible in the town where he ruled as mayor for 11 years. As a party leader, Wilson has always been viewed with skepticism by the GOP rank-and-file, who tend to be more conservative than he, and who questioned his sincerity when he moved to the right after his election in 1990.

Indeed, it was the grass-roots GOP, the county committees and the volunteer groups, who were most disenchanted with Wilson when he mounted his ill-fated presidential campaign. He decided to run despite a public promise that he would serve out his term in California, and fellow Republicans' support for Wilson was lackluster, in part because if Wilson had won the state would have been turned over to Lt. Gov. Gray Davis, Jerry Brown's former chief of staff.

That broken promise dogs Wilson to this day, because it fuels the lingering feeling that Wilson, who has a long history of flip-flops, will do anything to be president, including lying to his own party faithful.

The next gubernatorial election is in November 1998; the next presidential election is in November 2000. That means Wilson will be out of office for two years before the next presidential contest -- two years without the exposure and prestige as governor of the nation's largest state.

His problem, then, is simple: Can Wilson build a record of achievement in California that will sustain him in the public's eye as a viable candidate during that two-year hiatus? The political pros say no way, unless he comes into a deadlocked convention as a dark horse choice over Trent Lott or George Bush Jr.

I think you shouldn't be so concerned with Brown's personal life. Besides, aren't you only qualified to tell us about yours? Also, Brown did a tremendous job for some of us that don't subscribe to California's suspect and uncaring Republican format. I guess it wouldn't be an easy job to clean up San Francisco's homeless problem after 12 years of the Republicans creating it.

-Iris Manning

----------------------------------------------------------------------

To the Editor,

Jerry Brown let the rich people convince the poor people that Prop. 13 was good. Jerry Brown's "small is beautiful" put the state's highways into a mess from which they've yet to recover.

If you give Brown a chance to do Oakland, he may do no worse than the present crowd, but the real problem is economic: Oakland is good at attracting, and dealing with, poorly prepared citizens, so they get more to deal with. Poorly prepared educationally, poorly prepared psychologically, and especially poorly prepared in that they don't have any fiscal assets right now. Put the same population in Therton or Tiburon or Montclair, and they'd have the same problems as Oakland has.

[Unsigned]

All '98 publications are available online. Place your SECURE online order today!
http://www.capenq.com

*** New Products ***

We've added to our collection of publications three new products for '98: the California District Zip Code Directory, the California District Wall Map, and Mailing Labels & Disks for all your mailing needs. Find these new products and more through our Web site.
http://www.capenq.com

*** 1997 Directory Prices Reduced ***

While our '98 directories are ready for order, the costs of three of our '97 directories, the Pocket Directory of the California Legislature, the U.S. Congress Directory, and the State Agency Directory, have been significantly reduced. Find more information through our Web site.
http://www.capenq.com