The burden should be on the replacement candidates to show why Californians should abruptly withdraw the four-year commitment they made to Gov. Gray Davis last year. The argument should be unassailable. So far, none of the challengers has brought forth any evidence of malfeasance by Davis.

Californians should seriously consider the precedent of giving an unpopular governor the hook within a year of a regular election. Voters who are angry about Davis' timidity -- as we clearly have been at times -- should ask themselves whether a parliamentary-like system will make governors more or less willing to take on big problems and make tough decisions....

Californians should think seriously about the consequences of moving to democracy by Gong Show.