California: Simon rips Davis on environment

The San Diego Union Tribune ^ | June 15, 2002 | Philip J. LaVelle

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon is taking an increasingly aggressive environmental-protection stance, using a San Diego stop to accuse Gov. Gray Davis of poor stewardship of California's coast. Davis later announced more beach cleanups and another request of President Bush to buy undeveloped Central Coast oil leases.

With the Pacific Ocean and Crystal Pier as backdrops, Simon said Davis has "a long history of supporting increased offshore oil drilling" and missed the chance to put state dollars to work to prevent beach closures caused by storm-water runoff and other pollution.

California had 5,780 beach closures in 2000, up from 3,547 the previous year, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council cited by Simon. Davis "had a golden opportunity when the (budget) surplus was great to make one-time expenditures to handle ... storm-water runoff," Simon said.

Simon repeated his opposition to offshore oil drilling, saying further development "could endanger our coastline and with it, our quality of life, beaches and marine life, and essential industries like tourism."

Pointing to the state's record $23.6 billion budget shortfall, Simon said cuts in lifeguards will put beach-goers at risk and are a direct result of Davis' "fiscal mismanagement."

Davis lost no time in attempting to counter Simon's offensive. In Santa Barbara, the governor and Democratic colleagues Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer released a letter they sent to President Bush yesterday, asking that he direct the government to buy 36 undeveloped federal offshore oil leases.

Davis also announced that $5.2 million from a ballot proposition, a bond measure approved by voters in 2000, will go toward Central Coast beach cleanup as part of his Clean Beaches Initiative.

"This coast is a vital part of our character," Davis said. "It deserves every protection government can afford."

In San Diego, Gabriel Sanchez, the Davis campaign's deputy press secretary, accused Simon of distorting the governor's record. He said new offshore drilling has occurred only with leases signed before 1968, something the state is powerless to block.

"Throughout his entire career in public service, the governor has fought against any new oil rigs off the California coast," Sanchez said.

Political analysts say Simon's aggressive pursuit of environmental themes – traditional Democratic turf – is part of a broader effort to counter Davis claims that he is too conservative for California.

In an earlier move toward the center, in May, Simon said he would do nothing to erode abortion rights, despite his own opposition to abortion.

"In two very important ways, he's moved to the middle," said Bruce Cain, director of the Institute for Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. "And it seems to me if Davis doesn't act on that pretty quickly, by the end of summer Simon will have re-created himself as a moderate."

"I've been waiting for a long time for a statewide Republican to make clear he was against offshore oil drilling, except Pete Wilson," said Democratic political consultant Bill Carrick. "And now we've found a second one and it's a no-brainer."

Simon, a Los Angeles businessman with multimillion-dollar investments in oil and gas companies, is now at odds with the Bush administration on oil drilling. Earlier this month, the administration rejected a Davis request to buy back the 36 undeveloped California leases but agreed to buy back leases off Florida.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

"In two very important ways, he's moved to the middle," said Bruce Cain, director of the Institute for Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. "And it seems to me if Davis doesn't act on that pretty quickly, by the end of summer Simon will have re-created himself as a moderate."

If Davis, doesn't act?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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[NormsRevenge]

Simon is doing just fine it would appear :-)

Davis lost no time in attempting to counter Simon's offensive. In Santa Barbara, the governor and Democratic colleagues Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer released a letter they sent to President Bush yesterday, asking that he direct the government to buy 36 undeveloped federal offshore oil leases.

"In two very important ways, he's moved to the middle," said Bruce Cain, director of the Institute for Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. "And it seems to me if Davis doesn't act on that pretty quickly, by the end of summer Simon will have re-created himself as a moderate."

The DemonRats are not doing quite so well,, Ahhhh to have a demonRat in the White House when they need one.. LOLOL
TooBad!!

DUMP DAVI$ & the Den of Socialists



GO SIMON

[evolved_rage]

A great Simon quote "Governor Davis [sic] is the first coin-operated Governor"

[section9]

This is actually good for us. If Simon can somehow make it look like he's taking a heroic stand against offshore drilling in California vs. the "Bullies in the White House", he'll look awfully good to the assorted treehuggers in Northern Cal and the Soccer Moms with their gas-guzzling Panzerkampfwagen SUV's.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Grampa Dave]

This will make this sticker even more important:

[Vladiator]

Is the era of big government over?

[Mo1]

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[goldstategop]

Its suicidal in California to declare maybe its time to revisit the oil drilling ban. We have so much oil off the coast critical to the needs of a growing population and yet not even Bill Simon will take the stand that there's nothing incompatible between renewed oil drilling and protecting the environment. <raises his hand Yeah I know, don't tell me, he needed to move to middle. Besides something tells me that if he was THAT courageous, the enviro nazis would have him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Granted, Simon has to be a political animal, but where did we get to that place where reexamining certain dogmas has become as "untouchable" as Fidel Castro's pledge Communism will never be changed in Cuba? Its just too bad 911, let alone the electricity crisis never drove home to the wackier types the lesson we simply will need new energy supplies at some point down the road.

[John Jorsett]

Davis later announced more beach cleanups and another request of President Bush to buy undeveloped Central Coast oil leases. "Hello? Oh, hi Gray. Do you a favor? Why sure, I'll get right on that."

[summer]

This is a very interesting development. If I was a CA voter and fed up with the oil drilling off CA's coast, I'd guess I'd have a better chance of more environmental protection for CA if GOP Simon became gov instead of Dem Davis. I bet Simon will pick up some votes this way... now, where is Simon on education????

[pragmatic]

Wow, 'pro-environment', 'pro-government spending'. Is Simon doing this just as a pre-election show (and will resort to form when elected), or has he decided that what he really wants to be is Riordan? It's a little strange to see a conservative complain about budget cuts (even if caused by Davis's incompetence).

[TatieBug]

Attended the Flag Day Fundraiser last night where Simon was the speaker and the #1 concern was Education discussing the awful mess we're in currently. I chatted with him and his wife for a few minutes and what a nice couple. He speech was very upbeat and he's really excited about his prospects. There were about 500 people there in a tent and lots of patriotism which was neat. Not to worry, Summer, he will attempt to do something with our standings which can't get much worse...and I surely hope he gets the chance! Go Jeb & Simon!

[Texasforever]

I thought Simon was a "real" conservative unlike Bush. Many were touting him as Bush's replacement because Bush was so darned liberal on the environment. What happed to the vaulted uncompromising "principles" that this guy was endowed with? Could it be that he has found a political bone in his body?

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks For Sharing Your Experience Last Night. We Need Someone Who Connects to Real People , Not Just Rich Special Interests.

So he is well to do himself. Is it a crime to be wealthy or successful these days?

Let's Hope That He Has Hit His Stride and Can Now Build Unity and Support and Bring Back Open Government, Accountability and Genuine Caring for The People Who Make Up This Great State That Has Befallen Hard Times At The Hands of The Socialist Beast That Haunts Our Shores

It Won'T Be Easy, But It IS So Needed.
DUMP DAVI$ & the Den of Socialists


GO SIMON

[daviddennis]

I think he's going for the Malibu vote. I attended a Malibu community meeting about a month ago, and Malibu residents are hopping mad about Davis and the Coastal Commission. The Coastal Commission wants to turn Malibu over to the environmentalists and State Parks, and the everyday middle-class(*) residents are trying to fight back.

A Simon rep was there and was applauded conspicuously. The phrase "Gray Davis" evoked loud boos among the audience. Click on the link if you're curious to read my full report.

D

(*) A laughable concept, I suppose, in a city whose median house price is $1,300,000. But I know someone who bought a house on Cliffside Drive for $68,000 in the 1970s. His house is now worth well over $2,500,000. Just the average suburban ranch, you know, probably has the original appliances, no big deal ... except it's on one of the most expensive blufftops in the world. This person's other properties send him straight into the heavily monied class, but there are plenty of people who are rich only thanks to their houses, and probably don't feel rich at all. I met a lot of those people at the meeting.

[NormsRevenge]

Is this campaign going to be all about money spent or endorsements gained or mud flung :-?

Simon was on KRON4 TV San Francisco this morning and seem relaxed and very loose .. DavI$ IS toast