BOSS DAVIS PULLS THE STRING.

Byline: Rick Orlov DNC Notebook Staff Writer

Gov. Gray Davis is a man who likes being in charge.

Supporters call him detail-oriented. The rest see a control freak.

Whatever the description, Davis has California's 495 delegates grumbling about how he's taken charge of doling out credentials on a daily basis.

Normally, delegates are treated somewhat like adults and given all their credentials for the four-day event at the start of the convention.

But several delegates said they were told they will be given their daily credential at the 8:30 a.m. breakfast scheduled for each day.

If they miss the breakfast - either because of hangovers from the parties held the night before or even other party business meetings - they stand to lose the credential, they were told.

Credentials left over will be given out by Davis' staff to the governor's supporters who have generously filled his campaign war chest to overflowing.

The Republican National Committee is setting up its own spin operation to counter whatever comes out of the convention next week.

Such operations are not unusual and provide a handy source - particularly for television news shows and their never-ending quest for talking heads - to offer an opposing view of whatever is being said or proposed by Democrats.

The L.A. office is directly across from Staples Center, at 12th and Flower Streets - which also will be in the line of fire of any demonstrations going on.

In opening the office, the GOP took a shot at Vice President Al Gore, calling the upcoming meeting ``Al Gore's reinvention convention . . . Consistently reinventing (his) own record . . . Willing to abandon principles to pick fights with its opponents.''

For the second time since taking office, President Bill Clinton has gotten involved in the Los Angeles mayor's race.

Seven years ago, shortly after his own first election, Clinton came to Los Angeles Valley College to endorse former Councilman Mike Woo for mayor. That backing, however, was tempered by Clinton acknowledging he also respected eventual winner Richard Riordan.

On Friday, Clinton held a fund-raiser for Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, who is up for re-election in a safe seat but hopes to spend heavily before November to boost his name recognition citywide to aid his campaign for mayor in April.

Other candidates are upset by Clinton's role but none more so than Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa, D-Los Angeles, who helped Clinton greatly during the years he was Speaker of the state Assembly.

``(Villaraigosa) feels like he is being snubbed,'' said one ally.

MEDIA WATCH - One of the things Los Angeles police officials are concerned with is how local television stations cover the convention - and they wouldn't be upset if there is as little attention paid to it as they do other political and government events in this city.

The No. 1 concern: Live TV coverage of minor problems will blow up into major disturbances as the hovering helicopters and national publicity fuel the passions of protesters to escalate their action.