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Larry Flynt Announces Bid For California Governor
YAHOO NEWS ^
| Mon Aug 4, 2003
| Jill Serjeant
Posted on 08/04/2003 10:48:23 PM PDT by Master Soku
By Jill Serjeant BEVERLY HILLS (Reuters) - Calling himself a "smut peddler who cares," porn king Larry Flynt on Monday formally announced his bid for California governor but acknowledged that voters might not be able to stomach his sleazy background.
"I don't think the business I am in has anything to do with being a good governor," the Hustler magazine publisher and casino developer told a news conference in his opulent, black and gold Beverly Hills office.
But Flynt said that if private polling over the next few days showed he had no chance of winning the October election to unseat Democratic Gov. Gray Davis (news - web sites), he would not waste millions in a campaign bid.
"If the support is there, I am willing to go the distance. If not, I will fade into the sunset," said Flynt.
Flynt, 61, who made his millions publishing raunchy sex magazines while carving out a reputation as a crusader for free speech, proposed a novel -- and admittedly partially self-serving -- way out of California's massive budget crisis.
He wants to expand California's gaming industry (in which he has recently developed a business interest) to include slot machines in all private clubs. Taxing the casino revenue, Flynt said, would help wipe out the state budget deficit,
A newly-elected Gov. Flynt would launch a study into the legalization of prostitution. Also, he would grant amnesty to all illegal immigrants currently in California, then secure the state's borders.
Flynt is one of some 200 people, including Hollywood billboard queen Angelyne and a porn movie star, who have taken out initial paperwork to challenge Davis in an election some analysts have said is making California a laughing stock.
Davis on Monday launched a legal bid to have the October ballot delayed until March, claiming there is insufficient time to ready new voting technology.
Flynt, who was shot and paralyzed by a right-wing sniper while fighting an obscenity case 25 years ago and whose career was lionized in the 1996 movie "The People vs Larry Flynt," dismissed suggestions that his campaign was motivated by self-promotion.
"I don't need any publicity," he drawled confidently "I am better known than Coca-Cola."
Seated in a gold-plated wheelchair behind an enormous antique desk bearing some of his more than 30 raunchy magazine titles, Flynt accused California politicians of incompetence and ineptitude.
"California is the most progressive state in the union, quite unorthodox at times. I think its citizens would welcome having a smut peddler who cares as their governor.
"Unlike Gray Davis, I am not paralyzed from the neck up," he quipped.
TOPICS: Breaking News; Government
KEYWORDS: california; californication; democrats; larryflynt
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To: Master Soku
Well, that locks up the Cheez Puff vote.
2
posted on
08/04/2003 10:52:50 PM PDT
by
gcruse
(http://gcruse.blogspot.com/)
To: Master Soku
Flint for Governor??? Who would be in charge of the drool bucket when he gives a speech?
3
posted on
08/04/2003 10:59:58 PM PDT
by
MJY1288
(The Enemies of America can Count on the Democrats for Aid and Comfort)
To: Master Soku
Larry Flynt Announces Bid For California GovernorHow much did he bid for Davis?
4
posted on
08/04/2003 11:00:55 PM PDT
by
Consort
To: Master Soku
Flynt, who was shot and paralyzed by a right-wing sniper while fighting an obscenity case 25 years ago... A right-wing sniper? I thought it was a disgruntled office seeker.
< /sarcasm >
5
posted on
08/04/2003 11:03:12 PM PDT
by
Salman
To: Salman
Disgruntled orifice seeker?
6
posted on
08/04/2003 11:04:59 PM PDT
by
gcruse
(http://gcruse.blogspot.com/)
To: Master Soku
This is turning into a real circus. Cali used to be such a great state, the place to be.
7
posted on
08/04/2003 11:17:19 PM PDT
by
swheats
To: gcruse
Gives the term "screwed by goobermint" a whole new slant now don't it ........ All Hail the King of Kalipornia !........:o)
Stay Safe G !
8
posted on
08/04/2003 11:17:42 PM PDT
by
Squantos
(Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.)
To: Master Soku
The second oldest profession meets the first. Only in California could a pornographer actually lend credibility to a governor's race. If a Republican doesn't win it, I hope he does. He's a model unvarnished Democrat without the thousand coats of plastic surgery and poll-sculpted lacquer.
He's bound to scare a lot of voters straight into our arms.
9
posted on
08/04/2003 11:23:30 PM PDT
by
Tall_Texan
(http://righteverytime.blogspot.com - home to Tall_Texan's new column.)
To: Master Soku
Gold plated wheelchair! You'd think the cheap bastard would get a motorized one too!
I'll bet he can really 'hustle' in that one!
To: Master Soku
Better known than Coca-Cola! Gosh Larry, why don't you just come out and say the 'Jesus' word like the rest of the qweers!
To: Salman
The campaign is on and media bias has gone into high gear. The liberal media has never referred to the DC snipers as left-wing snipers.
12
posted on
08/04/2003 11:55:15 PM PDT
by
Reeses
To: rockfish59
You'd think the cheap bastard would get a motorized one too! Rich people don't need motorized wheelchairs. They can pay people to push them around.
13
posted on
08/05/2003 12:48:54 AM PDT
by
pepperhead
(Run Ron Jeremy Run)
To: Master Soku
paralyzed by a right-wing sniper What?
14
posted on
08/05/2003 1:08:14 AM PDT
by
yonif
("If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem, Let My Right Hand Wither" - Psalms 137:5)
To: yonif
probably a disgruntled father!
15
posted on
08/05/2003 3:26:45 AM PDT
by
TFMcGuire
(Vote Right and you'll never vote wrong!)
To: Master Soku
"Unlike Gray Davis, I am not paralyzed from the neck up," he quipped.True, and not a bad line, but in one of God's cosmic jokes, or karma if you will, this mega-sleazeball IS paralyzed from the waist down.
16
posted on
08/05/2003 6:28:57 AM PDT
by
veronica
(http://www.petitiononline.com/KN50711/petition.html - Confirm Daniel Pipes to USIP ......sign this!)
To: Master Soku
Is it true that Bill Clintoon endorsed him?
17
posted on
08/05/2003 6:31:44 AM PDT
by
1Old Pro
To: Master Soku
Yep, that is what we need hear in California: to go from one Hustler to another
18
posted on
08/05/2003 6:33:18 AM PDT
by
amexmike
To: Master Soku
Heard this on t.v. last night during a news piece about Flint possibly running for governor--didn't catch the two that were talking but it went something like this: "What does it say about our society when a man like Larry Flint is held up as a "pop culture icon," yet the Boy Scouts of Amerca are labled intolerant, homophobic, bigoted."
19
posted on
08/05/2003 8:49:55 AM PDT
by
nfldgirl
To: Master Soku; gcruse; MJY1288; Consort; Salman; swheats; Squantos; Tall_Texan; rockfish59; Reeses; ..
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