Posted on 03/17/2002 2:21:26 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
The White House may have pushed former LA mayor Dick Riordan into running for the GOP nomination for governor of California, but is now putting its full weight behind Bill Simon, the man who beat him, and President Bush will be leading the parade.
In April, a full seven months before the crucial November election, the president will head for California to hit the campaign trail on behalf of the conservative Simon - a sure indication that the White House sees GOP chances of capturing the state as better than good.
According to the Contra Costa Times, the president will headline at least one major fund raiser for Simon next month, who polls show running head to head with incumbent Governor Gray Davis.
"We've had a lot of communication with the White House," Simon campaign strategist Sal Russo told the Times' Sandy Kleffman. "It's a high priority for the White House to make California competitive."
Political observers say the president has a lot to gain from a Simon victory in a state which in recent years has voted heavily Democrat.
"An incumbent Republican governor would be a very powerful asset for them," Michael Schroeder, a former state GOP party chairman told Kleffman.
"If Simon wins, Bush will win California in 2004," Schroeder, now co-chairman of Simon's campaign, told Kleffman
With the president popularity still running an astounding 82 percent, Bush's appearance in the campaign could prove to be a big asset for Simon, who already is showing far more strength than the experts believed he'd have in a statewide race against a tough, experienced campaigner like Davis. According to Russo, the campaign's internal polls now show Simon with 48 percent and Davis with 41 percent.
Democrats hope to topple Simon by attacking his pro-life, pro-Second Amendment position, picturing him as an extremist out of touch with California's voters.
Simon, however, has taken aim at the bread and butter issues as education, taxes and energy - three issue dear to the hearts of the state's voters.
"That's always been the place where Republicans do best, being principled and conservative but compassionate and caring about people," Russo told the Times.
Also on the plus side is Governor Davis record of failure in dealing with the state's energy crisis and his inept handling of the economy with California now facing a $14 billion budget deficit.
With Bush taking an active part in the campaign, and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, now enjoying the status of a national hero, stumping hard for him, Simon could repeat his upset of Riordan by knocking off Davis.
What is the deal with you? Are you Mrs. Lazio's ex-boyfriend or what? Did you go to school with Lazio and he beat you out on the track team?
Get over it and find something else to whine about!
The ONLY reason I oppose Lazio is that he MOCKED my country's Constitution.
This is a story about SIMON. Please give it a rest, or start a separate thread.
Sorry for the double post.(Insert levity here.)
info@simonforgovernor.com
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