Making Rice in California(w/But what about ''Republicans for Davis''?)

The American Prowler ^ | Published 6/10/02

[nickcarraway]

Making Rice in California

By The Prowler

Published 6/10/02 12:38:00 AM

HOMELAND INSECURITY

The White House has told Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Mitt Romney to make the ongoing controversy surrounding his legal, permanent residency "go away," says a White House political operative. "We pushed for Romney to get into this race because he could win. This controversy will just dog him and will hurt him if he lets it fester."

No sooner did Romney get the call from presidential special adviser Karl Rove last Tuesday than Romney announced that he was returning the $54,000 tax rebate he received from Utah earlier this year. The controversy stems from Romney's 2001 tax returns, in which he listed his Utah condominium as his primary residence. Utah state residents get a tax break if they stay in the state for much of the year.

Democrats seized on the tax filing as evidence that Romney no longer considered Massachusetts his home state, even though Romney filed Massachusetts tax returns for each of the past three years that saw him head the 2002 Winter Olympics project in Utah. "Romney seemed surprised by the stories, and he wasn't moving fast enough to make it go away," says the White House staffer. "Sometimes these guys need a little kick in the [behind] to snap out of it and resolve it."

RICE CAPADES

Despite inside the Beltway buzz about a possible Senate bid in California by current national security adviser Condoleezza Rice forget about it. While Barbara Boxer may be the weaker of California's two Democratic senators, Karl Rove and President Bush aren't about to let the valuable Rice go.

Instead, Rove and Senate Republicans will be on the lookout for a potential moderate to conservative to challenge Boxer in 2004. "Perhaps it's finally Chris Cox," says a Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee staffer. But the view on Capitol Hill is that Cox will be increasingly more valuable to the House, and that while he could probably raise the necessary funds to mount a credible if not superior campaign against Boxer, it's unlikely he will want to.

Conservatives inside the state are already considering Bill Simon, Jr., who has thus far run a satisfactory campaign against Gov. Gray Davis, but who isn't expected to have enough in his rookie campaign tank to pull off an upset of the incumbent. Instead, he may have upped his name recognition and political skills to make another run at higher office. "From the Senate, Simon could run for governor again, as Pete Wilson did," says the RSCC source. "If that was what he was inclined to do, but it's not clear Simon is interested long term in politics. He may walk away after the way the state party has treated him."

Regardless, it would require desperate times in the Senate and the White House to force Rove's hand to put one of the administration's stars up against a sitting senator. "I just don't see it," says a White House political source about a Rice Senate candidacy. "I just don't see Rove letting her go, especially during a presidential election year. We need her in the White House on our team."

As for the shabby treatment of Bill Simon by the California Republican Party, the man behind it is Gerald Parsky, Karl Rove's pick to oversee the Golden State GOP who has virtually ignored Simon. Some White House political staffers are beginning to nose around a small, supposed grassroots group based out of Los Angeles, Republicans for Davis. It's unclear who started the group, and who has provided it with seed money, but there are suspicions that it was set up by some senior GOP officials who opposed Simon's candidacy, and who remain angry that he beat former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan in the GOP primary last March. "If we find out that state party officials are behind this group," says a Republican National Committee member from California, "heads are going to have to roll, and it's going to be very public. There is some evidence to indicate that very senior state GOP officials are giving aid and comfort to Davis. The party out there is mess. Rove has to clean it up."

[nickcarraway]

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[WIMom]

      

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[section9]

This makes sense. Simon failing in his first bid, but coming back in 2004 to beat Boxer for the CA Senate Seat.

Rice is being kept in the White House because she is being groomed for the Vice Presidency now, and the Presidency later, as Bush's designated successor. Of this I am sure.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Gophack]

I am confident that Simon is in the race against Gray Davis to WIN, not to "set himself up" to run for Senate. I don't think that a man like Bill Simon would run to lose ... he is definitely running to win.

And I think he can.

Go Simon!

[Coop]

Simon failing in his first bid

Well, I guess someone needs to tell all the people who are being polled and putting Simon in the lead that he's supposed to fail.

[section9]

Good God, I hope you are right! The sad performance by Gerald Parsky leads one to believe that Simon may not be able to overcome his own party's backstabbing.

If Parsky has anything to do with "Republicans for Davis", then Bush himself will have to start a blood purge. He can't let Rove do this. Call James Baker and send him out to California. Things need to be straightened out quick time.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[section9]

Well, I guess someone needs to tell all the people who are being polled and putting Simon in the lead that he's supposed to fail.

Your point is well taken. What are the latest polls saying? I discount that Field Poll from a month ago as it is said to have had poor methodology.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Republicans for Davis?

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[Coop]

That poll is the latest one I've seen. There were four previous polls, however (including another Field Poll) showing Simon with small leads. Davis has a lot of money, but his favorability/electability ratings stink.

[d14truth]

"Conservatives inside the state are already considering Bill Simon, Jr., who has thus far run a satisfactory campaign against Gov. Gray Davis, but who isn't expected to have enough in his rookie campaign tank to pull off an upset of the incumbent."

The only Republicans who don't think Simon can win over Davis aren't conservatives, they're moderates(RINOS). Stupid moderates they are, waiting on tomorrow when Gov. Davis is taking away all of California's tomorrows.

[d14truth]

Moderate

The California Republican Party prescription for losing to RATS? Will they be a 'dead-beat dad', like New Jersey's moderates were in Schundler's bid?

The 'country club' Republicans don't care about the average Joe much more than the 'liberal democRATs. They only love us for the 'grass roots' efforts and our votes, IMHO. They don't really support our God-fearing independence!

[daviddennis]

If the criticisms of Field Poll methodology are right, the race was roughly a dead heat when the poll was taken. There's been little but bad news for Davis since then, and Simon has been energetic in following up with his own attacks.

Unlike the Republicans, Davis isn't complacent; he knows this will be a close race, especially with a lukewarm base and a left that's going to drift over to the Green Party.

I'm really amazed at the Republicans' lukewarm support of Simon. He deserves better.

D

[GraniteStateConservative]

I think that Mary Bono is another possibility here if Cox or Simon aren't available. She's actually pretty conservative considering she's a woman in California. She supported 75% of the recent agenda of the National Right to Life Committee for example.

[NormsRevenge]

DUMP DAVI$



GO SIMON

[dalereed]

"The sad performance by Gerald Parsky leads one to believe that Simon may not be able to overcome his own party's backstabbing."

Parsky and Firestone are doing exactly what Rove has ordered. If Rove has anything to say about it he will destroy the Republican Party not only in California but nation wide, conservatives have no place in the US except to be silent little sheeple according to Rove and Bush.

[section9]

That's bollocks.

A blind man could see that a win in California would go a long way towards putting the state back in play on all levels of the ballot.

Methinks that Parsky and his allies are holding out for some patronage and need stroking.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Coop]

Parsky and Firestone are doing exactly what Rove has ordered. If Rove has anything to say about it he will destroy the Republican Party not only in California but nation wide, conservatives have no place in the US except to be silent little sheeple according to Rove and Bush.

If what you say is true, then why would Commander Rove have the President do two different fundraisers for Mr. Simon?? With more on the way. Hmmmm? Seems kinda silly to me.