Ex-Los Angeles mayor (Liberal Dick) to showcase record in ad

The San Jose Mercury News ^ | Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2002 | BY ERICA WERNER, Associated Press

[StoneColdGOP]

LOS ANGELES -- The California Republican gubernatorial primary is set to intensify today with the first television ad of the political season, a 60-second spot from former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.

The ad focuses on Riordan's record as mayor and will run in almost all the state's media markets, except for Los Angeles, where Riordan is already known, senior strategist Don Sipple said Monday.

``The average Californian will be exposed to it numerous times over the time that it's on the air,'' Sipple said.

The planned ad signals a new and more visible phase of the campaign for the March 5 primary.

Television ads are considered critical to reaching the 15.6 million registered voters in sprawling California. More money was spent last year on political ads here than in any other state.

Sipple said more than $1 million is being spent on the ad, which will air for about two weeks, but he declined to specify how much. Airing a commercial to reach all of the major markets for a week can cost from $1 million to $2 million.

Aides to Riordan's competitors for the primary -- Secretary of State Bill Jones and Los Angeles businessman Bill Simon -- said they too would start running ads soon, but they declined to specify when.

Democratic Gov. Gray Davis also plans to begin running ads sometime this month, campaign officials said.

[StoneColdGOP]

Any of my fellow Californians seen this crap yet?

[kellynla]

www.simonforgovernor.com

[TwoStep]

I haven't seen an ad....yet.

[broomhilda]

Simon for Governor! When I see him Saturday I will ask him if he is going to match Riordan's TV ads. He has enough $$$ to go one on one with RINO Riordan.

[Gophack]

You go girl! I'm confident that Simon will match Riordan dollar for dollar ... Riordan is such a weak candidate once his record is exposed.

The news tonight said that Jones, Simon and Davis were all going to start their ads sometime this month ... just because Riordan is first doesn't mean it will stick. I think he's worried, and that's why he's up on tv.

[Gophack]

Ping

[ElkGroveDan]

Let's hope he showcases his record of donating the big bucks to Democrats -- including Davis. Let's hope he showcases his desire to confiscate guns by way of door-to-door searches. Let's hope he showcases his big-mouth pro-abort wife who wants to handout condoms to 13-year-olds. C'mon liberal Dick -- showcase your record

[Hildy]

Riordan is the only Republican who can beat Davis. So, of course, Freepers will mow him down.

[BunnySlippers]

I will be voting for RIORDAN ... again. Go Dick Go!!!!

[Dan from Michigan]

I would. He's WORSE than Davis.

[Dan from Michigan]

And GO SIMON

[Gophack]

I think you are wrong, Bunny & Hildy. Riordan is not the only Republican who can win. In fact, I'll bet Davis is hoping and praying that Riordan IS our nominee so that he (Davis) can sail to victory in November.

Riordan can be more liberal than Davis because of the "R" by his name, but Riordan is way more out of step from California voters than even Davis (and that's saying something!) Even Davis wouldn't publicly say condoms should be handed out to 13 year olds!

Riordan is out of step. He is not only liberal on social issues (abortion, homosexuality, etc), but he has said that Bill Clinton was the greatest president this century. Riordan OPPOSED Prop. 22 when over 62% of the California electorate voted for it. His mayoral administration was full of not only liberals, but DEMOCRATS ... his campaign is full of not only liberals, but DEMOCRATS ... what do you think his Governor's office will be full of?

This "win at all costs" mentality that some Republicans have bought into is wrong on so many fronts ... first, the assumption that if Riordan wins the primary he's the best candidate to beat Davis. Why? Where do they disagree on anything? They support gun control, support abortion-on-demand, support taxpayer funded abortions, support special rights for homosexuals, support gay marriage, and have Democrats running their operations.

Riordan has given more money to Democrats than Gray Davis.

Riordan has said that Bill Clinton is the greatest president of this century.

Riordan opposes the death penalty (even Gray Davis supports it!)

Why would any Democrat cross-over and vote for Riordan when they can have their own Democrat in office?

Why would conservative Republicans come out to vote for Riordan when he stands for NOTHING they stand for?

It's not just winning at all costs, voting for whichever candidate has an "R" ... we need someone who is a clear choice, a strong opponent to Davis, not a Davis clone.

Bill Simon is our only hope. He is our only hope of beating Davis because he can stand up and show the California electorate how he is DIFFERENT from the status quo. He is sharp and smart and can think for himself, and someone ALL Republicans can be proud of.

[BunnySlippers]

Bill Simon is our only hope.

I can't stand Bill Simon.
Go RIORDAN Go!!!!
I will be actively campaigning AGAINST Bill Simon.

[StoneColdGOP]

Damn right.

[oceanperch]

THank GOD it will NOT show up on my own FAMILY TV.

[Torie]

No, but my current intention is to vote for Davis. That is subject to change, but in the current climate, I think he is the most effective break against immoderation. In the primary, it will be either Simon or Jones for me. I need to see more of both on the tube to make a final judgment. Cheers.

[Torie]

Don't you think there is an danger the Riordan will be rolled by the Dem legislature? What exactly will leash the id of that body if the governor is of another party, but not much more out of tune ideologically than Davis is? It strikes me as a recipe for disaster.

[StoneColdGOP]

Nor have I, my entire digestive system is still inside me.

[Torie]

What odds do you place on Simon winning the general if he wins the primary? 15% sounds about right to me. The problem with Riordan, is that it is about 40%. Not good.

[goldstategop]

Let's not have another RINO as our party's nominee puhleeaze. If it it were a conservative Republican I think he would win since voters want to keep a check on the Rats in the State Legislature but if we need to look forward to another four years of unified one party government in Sacramento we can be sure Gray Davis won't do anything controversial if he's reelected. Whether he likes it or not people will look on him as a future President. I don't think he'll run in 2004 but in 2008 he has a shot. If a Hillary clone loses the 2004 election to G.W it could make Davis' stock attractive to the Rat powers that be. They'll try to sell him as the anti-Clinton.