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Simon, a former vice president at Paramount Oil, has repeatedly said he opposes additional drilling off California, but he had not spoken out about the existing leases until now.
The candidate's history, closely tied to the oil industry, has made his stance on drilling someing drilling-opponents have been closely watching.
Simon's father, William E. Simon, was President Nixon's ``energy czar'' through the Arab oil embargo of the early 1970s before becoming treasury secretary. In 1988, Simon and his brother joined their father in William E. Simon & Sons, an investment firm with substantial holdings in the energy industry.
Financial disclosure documents show Simon has tens of thousands of dollars invested in companies with direct interests in the 36 offshore leases at issues in the federal drilling case. However, Simon's campaign said the investments are not connected to actual drilling.

``To have someone heavily invested in the oil industry overseeing California's coast is a little scary,'' said Carl Zichella, the Sierra Club's regional director. ``If he waffles (on offshore drilling) at all, it will be to his political detriment.''

Notice what caving in to these creeps gets you, a smash in the mouth anyway. Now they're making Simon an oil guy because he owns some stock.

Playing nice with liberals doesn't pay. Worrying about bad press doesn't work either. You'll get it anyway, and at least it is free exposure.

While it is not the predominant issue in this campaign, Simon has to come out with some kind of responsible environmental plan for California. It will get the attention of those not inclined to consider him, and address the concerns of moderate and conservative Californians.

You guys out there have to understand, our beautiful state has become a giant trash can. It's everybody's concern now. The liberals have been in power for some time now and this is their 'environmental' legacy. They've all but ruined SF. They are irresponsible, illogical, power hungry Judas'. They could come for one of your beautiful states at any time. It's time for Republicans to steal this issue.

You will notice stealing the issue is exactly what Bush has done in Florida. I'm surprised Carl Hiaassen hasn't written a column about it yet; I guess praising Bush is something very tough for him to do.

I wonder if oil leases are not more valuable in a state where future drilling is restricted? This could actually aid his oil interests.

I believe in the basic concept of respecting the will of the people on this issue. The people in California and Florida are against oil drilling; people in Texas and Alaska want it. Seems to me drilling should be discouraged in states that hate it and encouraged in states where it provides more benefits than costs.

This isn't a big issue for me - I remember when I lived in Santa Barbara and had a peek of the ocean view, I actually liked seeing the winking lights of the oil rigs out on the ocean. At the same time, I respect that a majority of the state is against drilling, and this will probably help Simon overall.

Better to have a good governor than a venal one; that's my bottom line here.

I don't agree with Bill Simon and our state's enviro nazis. I think oil drilling with the necessary safeguards is good for the environment and good for our nation's security. If only someone had the guts to point out how it would lessen our dependence on the Saudis, maybe there's be more common sense and less hysteria over offshore oil drilling off the California coast. Given the wacky nature of this state, I wouldn't count on it.

The wells are on leases made before 1968, according to Salazar, who added that the state has no choice but to honor them.
``These are private companies,'' Salazar said. ``If you try to deny them the right to get oil from the leases they own ... the state would be liable.''

Signed contracts are valid only when it's convenient for Davis. Remember when he tried to cancel and renegotiate the electricity contracts, and when he tried to rescind the Oracle contract? He also conveniently forgot about his duties to keep the budget balanced and on-time. He'll cut funding to charter schools, but he won't reduce the state education bureaucracy. Davis is being hypocritical when he says he must honor those oil leases but can break any other state contract.

Maybe Davis has finally learned something about the meaning of a contract.