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To: lasereye; ElkGroveDan
The fact is, whatever chance Simon has of winning depends on accurately assessing Davis' strength. I don't think Simon can run a campaign that just says "I'm not Davis" and win. I don't think pointing out California's problems under Davis, like the budget deficit, is enough either. He has to run a sharp edged campaign in my view.

I agree.

Right now, it benefits Simon to have all the bad press surrounding Davis and to lay low. (Simon has consistently sent out press releases, et. al. to the press and his supporters, but the press never covers his events or statements, so people think he ISN'T doing anything when he really IS. He's going directly to the people.)

Anyway, according to even the flawed and inaccurate Field Poll, Davis' negatives are at 50%. That was a month ago. I would imagine they are higher now. When his negatives start to level off, then Simon should ramp up the campaign.

Reality is, however, that we have just over five months before election day. No one focuses on campaigns this early out except political pundits, the press, and politicians. Most people -- 99% of the voters in fact -- just don't give a damn about the election until AT THE MOST six weeks before the election.

Some people criticize Simon for not going enough now. I don't. It would be a waste of resources. He's building his base and growing the grassroots, exactly what he should be doing.

I want to remind people that the media, political operatives, and even Simon supporters were critical of Simon because he didn't come out early (like before Christmas) to start talking about himself. Really, who focuses on a campaign during the holidays? These same naysayers (some of whom are my friends) were angry because when Simon started on radio and tv, the ads were all puff pieces and didn't go after the liberal RINO Riordan.

Well, Simon DID go after Riordan, and he did it once he had created a positive image of himself with the voters. That was smart. Basically, Simon put himself out as a viable, conservative, smart candidate. When Riordan was getting attacked from Davis and Jones ... and later from Simon ... voters had a place to go. Notice, they DIDN'T go to Jones, and Jones and Simon DIDN'T split the anti-Riordan vote. This is because Simon set himself up as THE alternative, THE viable conservative, and Republicans overwhelmingly went to him.

Simon won by more than 18% with nearly 50% of the Republicans voting for him.

While all of us, myself included, have good advice for the Simon campaign ... and, by the way, I agree with you lasereye that Simon can't be "not Davis" and win, elections are never won that way ... I think that if the consultants run as smart a campaign as the did in the primary (though not necessarily the same strategy), then Simon definitely has the edge.

And, finally, abortion WILL NOT be the deciding factor in the election. Simon will benefit more by being pro-life, and real pro-aborts would never, ever in a million years vote for a Republican no matter how strongly s/he advocated killing innocent babies for convenience sake.

Go Simon!

23 posted on 05/23/2002 10:58:04 AM PDT by Gophack
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To: Gophack
bump for Simon...
24 posted on 05/23/2002 11:04:26 AM PDT by eureka!
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To: Gophack
Some people criticize Simon for not going enough now. I don't. It would be a waste of resources. He's building his base and growing the grassroots, exactly what he should be doing.

Agreed..No need to shoot the wad now .. especially when GraYouT DeViou$ IS on a path of self-destruction

It is only Memorial Day ...Over 5 months to the General Election.. Build the Base ... Target Your Media Effectively..

I'll be curious to see what else falls out of the closet for Davi$ between now and NoVemBer... :-)
DUMP DAVI$



GO SIMON

26 posted on 05/23/2002 11:06:56 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: Gophack
"...though not necessarily the same strategy..."

Wouldn't that be "strategery?" :-)

31 posted on 05/23/2002 11:49:36 AM PDT by Bonaparte
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To: Gophack
Great post. In the mean time, it wouldn't hurt to see more of those "DUMP DAVIS" bumper stickers on the California Freeways. They are free. Search on FR "bumper stickers Davis'for info. (Sorry I still haven't taken time to learn how to do this right.)
46 posted on 05/23/2002 6:24:48 PM PDT by seenenuf
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To: Gophack
Great post. In the mean time, it wouldn't hurt to see more of those "DUMP DAVIS" bumper stickers on the California Freeways. They are free. Search on FR "bumper stickers Davis'for info. (Sorry I still haven't taken time to learn how to do this right.)
47 posted on 05/23/2002 6:26:44 PM PDT by seenenuf
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