How could a political career survive the unrest and strife that Jesse Unruh endured for the first 15 years of his political career? Simple, Unruh was a tough domineering bulldog. Unruh personified many of the characteristics the press heaped on him, such as a bulldog, a lion, an 800 lb. gorilla or the grizzly bear. Unruh took all of this in stride and often let his ego get the better of him by playing up his animalistic side. In reality Unruh was a teddy bear with a heart of gold. He was trying to accomplish great things for California and its" residents. Unruh loved California and carried on an "incredible love affair" with the golden state for over 30 years, even after his death Unruh sought to take care of her after he was gone ("State" 1). Before Unruh's death, he set in motion an effort to change campaign reform. .
Unruh was a mere man, but the character he chose to portray was bigger then life. The person Jesse Unruh presented to the press and general public was only a small part of who he truly was. He was more then a huge, hulking, overbearing, demanding politician in California. He was in fact an intelligent kindhearted teddy bear of a man who truly cared about the little people who made California their home. Everything he did was to better the lives of Californians. "The enormous power he held was nearly always used to benefit the poor and the homeless" (Burgess 455). He was a kindly father, who took great care of his children, even if sometimes doing so meant doling out discipline with an iron fist. "If people were not cooperating, they went away" (Hawthorne 158).
California is often observed to be a country unto it's self. Often stepping out onto a limb to change the way things are done, no other state would dare such a leap of faith. These are also the views expressed by outside visitors to California. With this being the case it is not surprising "Big Daddy" Unruh came to power in California.
