Simon Outlines Education Plan, Jones Sinks to New Low

self/semi-vanity

[TheAngryClam]

Bill Simon gave a speech Wednesday at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, which is a non-partisan public affairs forum hosting people from all walks of the political spectrum. The turnout of over 100 people easily surpassed the 25-30 that turned out for Jones' own appearance three weeks earlier.

Simon spent his talk outlining his comprehensive educational plan, the details of which I'll leave to his official campaign press release, which I'm sure will arrive on Free Republic shortly. I'd much prefer to address the second half of the title- Jones Sinks to a New Low

As I've often commented before, Bill Jones has run an almost entirely negative campaign. Tonight his campaign set a new low in the primary, however. Waiting at the entrance to the Commonwealth Club was a Jones staffer, handing out what appeared, at first glance, to be Simon for Governor materials. However, on closer inspection, it turned out to be the standard Jones campaign attack on Simon- that he's an out of stater and inexperienced. On the third page at the bottom it even includes "Paid for by Bill Jones for Governor." The lady was, eventually, escorted from the building by security after several complaints by people who were at the event to hear Mr. Simon speak.

Now, regardless of where you stand on the election, this is just plain tacky to have staffers flyer at opposition campaign events without the nature of the flyers clearly stated. If it was clear "Jones for Governor" material, it would not be so bad. That Jones feels that he must resort to such tactics not only reflect badly on him as a candidate, a Republican, and a person, but also upon his standing in the polls, which, according to a News 10 poll recently released, is half that of Simon's and nearly a third of Riordan's. Jones has become desparate, and has become tacky. He owes the Simon campaign and people attending tonight's event an apology.

[TheAngryClam]

What say freepers?

[TheAngryClam]

bump

[TheAngryClam]

ping

[CheneyChick]

Tacky is right. Simon has my vote.

[Carry_Okie]

I think Jones owes Simon more than an apology. Unless Jones withdraws he will be forever regarded as the spoiler who let Brooks Firestone and Carl Rove destroy the conservative Republican Party in the name of chasing the 20% swing fraction of a 5% (at best) California gay vote.

If he does not withdraw, Jones will NEVER hold statewide office again. If he leaves now he will be regarded as a statesman and a viable conservative candidate for a Senate campaign against Barbara Boxer. In that regard he will have been largely forgiven for his support of John McCain and MAYBE his vote for a State tax increase...

(well, at least the McCain thingy :-).

[let freedom sing]

The staffer probably went out on her own-- delusional. Think of how delusional the Condit people were to go out there for him on National TV. Now he's going to lose.

[BornOnTheFourth]

Thanks for the ping. I'm curious to hear his education plan. Our children are being ripped off in the classrooms. I take it you were there--how was it?

[TheAngryClam]

I thought so, but flyers like this are new (not from the state convention, where there were a lot of hit pieces), and they were paid for by the Bill Jones campaign, rather than just being stuff some random activist printed up. Also, the last page was an absentee ballot request, which is a very Jones-himself thing to do. Knowing how Jones behaves, I can definitely see this one coming from the top.

[BornOnTheFourth]

My question for him is what is he going to do about "Cootie Shots" and other similar pro-homosexual crap in the schools?

If you missed it, here's an excerpt:

LaJeunesse: Well several parents are suing claiming that the district violated their rights by failing to allow their children to opt-out of "Cootie Shots" for religious and moral reasons.

Futomuto: If they truly feel that way, then their children maybe should be homeschooled, and that should be their choice, or maybe they can afford a private school where they can practice racism and sexism and whatever they want to practice.

The thread is here.

[let freedom sing]

Bill Jones has his heart in his hat-- he's a rancher. Bet he'd like to retire, anyway-- politics is dirty, but it's not the same as dirt.

[Torie]

You sound a bit worried. :)

[TheAngryClam]

It was quite good- he mostly talked about how we should focus on fixing the physical plants of schools to provide conducive learning environments and how private companies and/or charter schools can help with this.

The press that were there had some rather tough questions for him in the Q&A period, including one he admitted he never was asked or thought about before, but still fielded beautifully. It was on the need to construct and oversee quality nursing homes now, since, as baby boomers get older, there will be a need. He said that private companies, including his own William Simon & Sons, were starting to fill that need, but like anything, there was a place for government standards. It fit beautifully with his message of school choice and privatization with state-led and enforced standards. Simon is a great thinker on his toes and no "lightweight" in politics like some have charged.

[Torie]

So tell me one thing Simon has said that has really beef to it, and is other than generalities. Cutting spending without specifics is in the latter category, and is DOA.

[Torie]

we should focus on fixing the physical plants of schools to provide conducive learning environments

And do you agree with that clearly erroneous pablum? If only we could improve education by making sure the bricks and mortar had no cracks. But it is of course totally ludicrous.

[BornOnTheFourth]

I like the idea of school choice. I made my choice, and am sending my daughter to a Christian school. Regardless, I'm still concerned about our schools--too many children are being brainwashed by the libs. I sure hope we can turn them around.

[TheAngryClam]

Ok. He proposed a mandatory literacy test that all students must pass by the third grade or face summer school etc. (much more politically acceptable than failing them after all), because students who cannot read by third grade are statistically handicapped well into high school.

Additionally, he talked about the successes of things like Bowling Green Elementary, a charter school in Sacramento that gives the teachers the ability to fire administrators with a vote taken at the end of every year. This, he said, is an example of what we need more of- enabling educators and the community to have a voice and do their job without the meddling of bureaucrats. He veiledly took aim at Jones' removal of power from local school boards to 15 regional school directors, talking about how Sacramento often pushes for a cookie-cutter approach.

Additionally, he talked about the successes of past governors, including Wilson's class-size reduction, and Davis's (yes, I know, ack, but hear the man out) testing, which he criticized for not being mandatory.

Is that some meat for you?

[Carry_Okie]

There was nothing in that post that I haven't said before. My family is now in its fifth generation in California. The only thing I'm worried about is California and have been since the '70s. So would you if you had any commitment to conservative principles.

[Gophack]

I'm not worried. Bill Simon is proving to be a viable candidate, is neck-and-neck with Riordan, and people like what they hear. I think people don't want a career politician who tells them what to think, what to believe, and when to shut up. They want someone who doesn't look to government first for solutions. Bill Simon is a real choice, a clear contrast to the liberal status quo, and someone who knows how to get the job done.

[Gophack]

I like the idea of school choice. I made my choice, and am sending my daughter to a Christian school.

I send my daughters to a Christian school as well, and likewise I'm concerned about public schools. School choice has failed twice in California; unless we start thinking differently, we're never going to win this issue.

I am STRONGLY support Rep. Chris Smith (R=NJ) bill that gives a $2500 refundable tax credit per child for private, parochial and homeschooling. In addition, parents with kids in public schools can get the tax credit for qualified education expenses ... like tutoring, SAT testing, computers, education software, etc. I can't remember the bill number, but this is a real opporuntity for ALL kids and parents. It helps everyone, and the liberals can't call it a tax break for the rich because any joint household making over $200K won't qualify.

School choice IS a great idea, but I personally think that tax credits ... like this one from Smith ... is more sellable to the people of California, and America. And, it accomplishes the exact same thing, without ever worrying about government money going to private schools (some parochial schools are concerned about purse strings with government funds.)

[Gophack]

Simon has more beef in his policy proposals on education, the budget and other issues than Riordan and Jones combined.