No matter how hard you hit them over the head with a particular uncomfortable truth, some people just don't get it.

Gov. Gray Davis must be one of those people. Faced with massive unpopularity, a state budget mess of biblical proportions and the first governor recall election in state history, how does this political operator respond?

By going to court to try to change the election rules by which everyone is supposed to abide. First, he wants to move the election back by months, apparently for time to build his campaign and allow voters' anger to subside.

Then, incredibly, he wants to get his name put on the ballot as a candidate choice in his own recall, which is forbidden by state law unless a court decides otherwise. The logic there is almost profoundly twisted. Does he really think that -- should disgruntled voters decide to kick him out of office -- they will also change their minds to such an extent that he will be magically elected to replace himself in his own recall?

What fantasy world is the governor inhabiting?

Time for some truth in advertising. First, we're not crazy about the idea of any recall, unless there is evidence of a crime or malfeasance in office. That's primarily because of the expense involved, in this case millions for a state that can ill afford it.

But the state recall is now a legal reality. The governor should abide by the will of the voters, whatever it turns out to be, under the election rules as written at the time the recall process began.

Also, as readers will remember, this newspaper endorsed Davis in the last election, although grudgingly. Let's take a look at what we said:

"Rest assured we did not make this choice lightly or without reservations. Gray Davis' record is a not-unblemished one, with legitimate questions surrounding his fund-raising practices, alleged favor-pandering, the state economy and energy issues. But he is a seasoned veteran politician with the clear -- perhaps ruthless -- vision that if this state prospers, so does his political future."

Have we changed our mind? No. Davis was preferable to Bill Simon, who tripped himself up on the campaign trail to such an extent that it opened very legitimate questions on his judgment and ability to govern.

In the post-election recall period, Davis has certainly proven himself ruthless in pursuing his political future -- witness his shameless attempts to use a court to morph state election laws into something he thinks more likely to benefit him.

But, as we noted in November, his political fortunes must rise and fall as the state prospers, or doesn't. He's the man in charge and that responsibility is what the job is all about.

Davis should campaign hard to save his job from a recall. That's to be expected of any political leader worth his salt.

But governor, please stop trying to wriggle out of a recall judgment via lawyer's tricks. The nation is watching, and it's a little embarrassing, even to many of those who have supported you.