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Before Gov. Gray Davis’ speech at UCLA last week, aides said the governor planned to address the roots of his unpopularity.

If that was Davis’ intention, he failed.

Doing what seemed, at times, his best imitation of Mr. Roboto, Davis offered mild self-criticism for his part in the state’s energy and budget disasters – “I wish I had known then what I know now,” he said. But even if he had more openly shared his failures regarding the two crises, Davis would have missed a crucial point: People don’t like the governor because they view him as an insider politician. They see him as obsessed with his own power, manipulated by big donors and special interests – as a man who couldn’t give a damn about what’s actually best for the public.

Davis did not square with voters regarding his unpopularity last week; rather, his stunt at UCLA reeked of the kind political manipulation and lack of candor for which so many detest him.

Before the governor spoke, Ackerman Union’s Grand Ballroom was sectioned off; Davis spoke to a smaller number of people than could fit in the room. Hand-picked supporters, who clapped and booed and chanted as if on cue, were brought in, and the public at large was kept out. Davis – whose top priorities were “education, education and education” – addressed the roots of his unpopularity with students by keeping them from their own student union (a few students stood in the back).

It wasn’t the first time Davis kept the public at bay while visiting the state’s largest public campus. To get an idea of Davis’ style, voters can examine the governor’s visits to UCLA over the last year:

• In August of 2002, Davis met with union leaders and workers at Lu Valle Commons after dozens of ASUCLA non-student employees won the right to unionize.

• Just before the start of fall quarter last year, Davis appeared on campus to sign HMO reform legislation into law – a nice photo-op for the governor. But also in attendance were advocates of the controversial drivers license bill for illegal immigrants, which Davis later vetoed.

• About a month later, Davis visited campus to appear on CNN’s Lou Dobbs’ “Moneyline” to defend himself as he ran for re-election, leaving campus immediately after the taping.

• In the spring of 2003, Davis rubbed elbows with university administrators responsible for developing UCLA’s nano-technology institute. The public was not admitted and a press release sent to media outlets was labeled “For planning purposes only,” meaning information was given with the understanding outlets would not publicize the appearance.

Even though he’s campaigned twice for the governorship in one year and despite his frequent ventures into Westwood, Davis has yet to hold a public rally, as presidential hopeful Howard Dean did in Bruin Plaza earlier this year, or as Al Gore did when seeking the presidency in 2000 (Davis was present at the Gore rally; perhaps Gore’s people wanted their notoriously wooden candidate to appear animated).

When Davis visits UCLA, he meets with people he views as important and stays away from those who are less connected – like students. It’s as though Davis fears the masses who sent him to office may confront him. Davis’ appearance last week, during which he was supposed to “speak from the heart,” did not reflect any difference.

It is harder for the Daily Bruin to continue to support Gov. Davis against the recall – even given the recall’s circus-like nature and partisan origins. The recall is a right-wing “power grab,” but Davis should realize the recall would never have qualified were it not for his insulting approach to public service.

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