Spotting Gray Davis

Where, you didn't ask, is Gray Davis these days? Both Howard Fine in the L.A. Business Journal and Rick Orlov in the L.A. Daily News report in their political notes columns today that Davis has been making the rounds of local holiday parties. Fine ran into the recalled governor at political consultant Joe Cerrell's event at the HMS Bounty on Wilshire.

Davis said he’s been sorting through consulting offers and other ideas at the offices of supermarket billionaire Ron Burkle, although he’s not made any commitments yet. "I definitely want to continue to be engaged in public policy," he said.

He’s also considering writing a book on the California energy crisis. "I feel there is a need to get my side of the story out there," he said. "There’s so much to tell about what went on that people just never got to hear."

Orlov raises speculation that Davis could run against Mayor Jim Hahn in 2005. The recall lost in Los Angeles, but Hahn didn't sound too worried: "It's a free country." The L.A. Times "Inside Politics" column was written today by city hall reporter Patrick McGreevy (instead of regular Patt Morrison) and lists several potential Hahn challengers, including controller Laura Chick ("If drafted I will accept") but not Davis.