Primary Race Comes Back to Haunt Simon

LA Times ^ | 4/4/02 | MICHAEL FINNEGAN

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon Jr. announced his "A" rating from the National Rifle Assn. with the equivalent of a whisper: a written statement issued just before 9 p.m. on a Friday.

He was just as quiet about his endorsement by the California ProLife Council, a group that seeks to outlaw abortion. He announced it just before 7 p.m. the next day.

By releasing both bits of news after dark on a January weekend, the Simon campaign minimized coverage. His stands on guns and abortion would be promoted privately--by mail to conservative Republicans.

[eureka!]

Grayout's mouthpiece is getting in gear....

[homeschool mama]

ping

[Bigoleelephant]

I am still waiting for someone to have to defend their liberal positions. (i.e. anti-life, gun control)

I know that will never happen. Liberal positions are normal and accepted while conservative positions are the ones to be feared.

[ElkGroveDan]

This is one of those things that sounds good to a liberal reporter, but just plain isn't true.

Simon does not fear his positions as they are implying. He has simply decided to campaign on Gray Davis failures. That's something all California understand and can agree upon.

[Hellwege]

A liberal has to defend his positions in a conservative state; a conservative has to defend his positions in a liberal state, better hide them or distract from them as Simon is doing

[Hellwege]

If the elction is decided on social issues alone, it will be close to the 20% blowout in 1998, probably a little bit better as Simon is a better candidate

[Bigoleelephant]

Interesting. I live in Texas, which I think most will consider a conservative state, and I have yet to hear Morales or Kirk, dems running for the senate, have to defend their liberal views. Cornyn, the Republican, has been grilled many times about his conservative bent.

I understand the need to keep conservative views under wraps in California but it seems your theory about liberals in conservative states does not hold water. This of course being my point. When was the last time you ever actually saw a liberal having to defend his liberal views?

[Hellwege]

Hi, we posted about two connected, but Slightly different topics, you are referring to the liberal media bias, the Dallas Morning News does not force Kirk to defend his liberal values I was referring to the elctorate, the Texan eletorate will force Kirk to hide his positions and speak only about his alleged fiscal conservatism, perhaps he even will come out against gay marriages in order to seem moderate (BTW, Davis is promoting this topic right now)

[Liz]

This is one of those things that sounds good to a liberal reporter, but just plain isn't true. Simon does not fear his positions as they are implying. He has simply decided to campaign on Gray Davis failures. That's something all California understand and can agree upon.

This is presstitute spin alright. Simon better get ahead of this. He alone must frame the issues.

[skeeter]

When was the last time you ever actually saw a liberal having to defend his liberal views?

Not since Ronaldus Magnus left office, back when "liberal" was a label to be avoided at all costs.

The retreat started with Bush Sr's "kinder, gentler" Republican party, which has been reeling ever since.