The Transmogrification Of Pete Wilson Wilsonianism

AT the hot start of a hot August, Governor Pete Wilson reached agreement with legislative leaders on the largest tax cut in California’s history—a $1.4-billion cut next year, rising to $3.6 billion over four years— and breathed a sigh of relief. With the full tax cut under his belt, Wilson claims an overall tax reduction of about $2 billion in his two terms. With only the first installment, he would still be a net tax-cutter—just. Without it, his record would be that of a man who had raised taxes net by more than $1 billion. Not a reputation to brandish in GOP presidential primaries. So the tax cut is the final but indispensable stage in the careful transmogrification of Pete Wilson from GOP moderate to conservative warrior.

Surprised? Don’t be. Wilson’s quiet revolution has received little attention outside California. He is now rarely mentioned among potential GOP candidates for 2000. Yet he will be leaving office on a high note. The California economy is in its 62nd month of economic expansion. A large budget surplus allows him to have both tax cuts and hikes in spending—e.g., to cut class sizes in the public schools. He has won his major political battles, notably the initiatives opposing illegal immigration, quotas, and bilingual education. And most watchers think he would be easily re-elected if he ran in November.

About the Author

John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan is a senior fellow at National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review.

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AT the hot start of a hot August, Governor Pete Wilson reached agreement with legislative leaders on the largest tax cut in California’s history—a $1.4-billion cut next year, rising to $3.6 billion over four years— and breathed a sigh of relief. With the full tax cut under his belt, Wilson claims an overall tax reduction of about $2 billion in his two terms. With only the first installment, he would still be a net tax-cutter—just. Without it, his record would be that of a man who had raised taxes net by more than $1 billion. Not a reputation to brandish in GOP presidential primaries. So the tax cut is the final but indispensable stage in the careful transmogrification of Pete Wilson from GOP moderate to conservative warrior.

Surprised? Don’t be. Wilson’s quiet revolution has received little attention outside California. He is now rarely mentioned among potential GOP candidates for 2000. Yet he will be leaving office on a high note. The California economy is in its 62nd month of economic expansion. A large budget surplus allows him to have both tax cuts and hikes in spending—e.g., to cut class sizes in the public schools. He has won his major political battles, notably the initiatives opposing illegal immigration, quotas, and bilingual education. And most watchers think he would be easily re-elected if he ran in November.