Simon is getting some bad advice. His "don't ask, won't tell" positioning only invites continued debate and controversy. Experience has shown that the way to deal with this issue is just as Reagan did: State your positon. Say sincere people can disagree. But, that's just the way it is. Next question.
Mr. Simon has to learn quick that politics is hardball, not dodge ball.
Your advice is sound, but dont underestimate Bill Simon. Bill Simon and his campaign had expected this and said as much. They expected that the media would harp on this. It's one of Davis' issues and not the issues Simon's campaign is running, so of course the media will run interference for Davis and will keep bringing this up, all the while giving platforms for the extremists like Michelman.
I showed some data from polls that show that Simon could not just state his position, but also say " ... I am in agreement with most of the people of California. My opponent is supported by the extremists on this issue. Next question."
I think the point of Simon's position is that he has already stated -- emphatically -- that he is pro-life. But the election doesn't hinge on whether someone is pro-life or pro-abortion ... the election is going to be able the economy, education and energy ... three areas Gray Davis has failed miserably in.
Simon can't simply run his campaign on Life and nothing else ... his point is that Davis is trying to avoid his failures by throwing up the abortion issue each and every time.
Simon is pro-life. He is solidly conservative. You can see his conservatism also in his ideas on the issues that drive the voters ... this year, education, the economy, and energy. His solutions are conservative, his ideas grounded in science and sound economics and ideas.
Yes, he can't avoid the issue completely. But he shouldn't play their game. They want to make it THE ONLY issue, and I just think it's going to backfire on them.