Bill Simon should bow out

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 08/02/2002 | Debra Saunders

[Gophack]

Saunders liked Jones in the primary because he had "experience".

Give me a citizen legislator over an "experienced" politician any day. Jones has tons of problems himself, including voting for the largest tax increase in California history. He was a milquetoast candidate.

But Saunders liked him, so this is just petty.

[leftiesareloonie]

I don't know how many of you are from California. But I've got to tell you, Simon is starting to seem like a joke out here. The way he handled the release of his tax returns was about the stupidest thing I've ever seen.

Only his or his legal team's handling of this fraud case is even a close competitor for most stupid move in recent history.

Gray Davis should be toast. Hardly anybody likes the man. The RATs defnitely were and are worried. The pols are all predicting the lowest turn out for in history for this one. But Simon is such an awful candidate that hardly anybody is talking right now about Davis's many, many vulnerabilities.

You've just got to experience the local coverage of this stuff to believe how foolish Simon is starting to look. WIth a credible competitor, Davis would be toast. He has no record to run on. But right now, Simon doesn't look like a credible competitor.

[L.N. Smithee]

Meanwhile, with the public steaming about corporate scams, Simon can only embarrass President Bush, who was expected to headline a fund-raising event for the Fraud Prince in August.

This column is shocking to me. When I saw the headline, I thought it was written by one of the usual suspects of California journalistic propaganda -- but I doubt even one of those would have referred to Simon as "The Fraud Prince."

Saunders doesn't have her facts straight, and did a disservice to her readers when she wrote...

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[Simon] says that his family's firm plunked $16.5 million into the the venture unaware that Hindelang was a former drug dealer. Hello. I found that Hindelang had a big drug conviction in two minutes -- just by entering his name into a good database.

---

I don't know what database she is referring to, but this is apparently one that has probably been recently updated -- or else, Deloitte & Touche, the firm that was hired to do a background check on Hindelang, would have turned up the facts. From the 1998 Wall Street Journal piece on Hindelang and his labyrinthian investments designed to hide his dope-running assets retained after his early release from prison:

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By 1997, Pacific Coin was in negotiations to merge with a company founded by Mr. [Thomas] Keane. William E. Simon & Sons LLC, an investment boutique nominally headed by the former Treasury secretary but run day-to-day by one of his sons, was picked to help finance the deal.

Simon & Sons declined to comment on the matter. Mr. Keane says due diligence by auditor Deloitte & Touche turned up nothing unusual. Mr. Keane [-- not Simon & Sons --] says Mr. Hindelang seemed such a straight arrow that no one would have suspected a criminal past. Mr. Hindelang's convictions, more than a decade old, didn't pop up on a routine sweep of public records.

---

It is one thing to be discouraged and disappointed with the performance of a candidate on your side, and another to verbally decapitate that same person and virtually endorse the opponent. Saunders has done no less than that by comparing Davis and Simon and saying it is a choice between "Greedy and Greedy/Stupid." She knows in her heart -- at least, she should know, anyway -- that Simon's bugging out now and endorsing Jones wouldn't do anything more for CA Republicans than continuing to weather the storm. Jones, after all, came in third to Simon and RINO Richard Riordan.

Does she think that the South/Mulholland smear machine will miss the chance to trumpet that a conservative columnist calls Simon "The Fraud Prince?" Mark my words -- she has practically written Davis' next campaign ad! Davis ought to be facing scrutiny for his about-face permitting more toxic pollutants after receiving a hefty oil refinery donation -- exactly the kind of allegations the Democrats made toward then-Texas Governor George W. Bush. Instead, Saunders has already thrown in the towel three months before election day, and gone on the attack against Simon while he is in a statistical dead-heat with Governor Grayout.

I have been a fan of Saunders for a long, long time, and have no idea what it is that inspired this kind of vehemence. It doesn't seem to be only Simon's lack of campaign savvy and private business missteps. While Saunders is definitely right-of-center, she is more liberal on social issues such as domestic partner legislation. Maybe that can explain a distaste for Simon that would have her floating a lead trial balloon (like installing Jones as nominee) as the only alternative to complete Republican capitulation.

[Impeach98]

With friends like Debra Saunders, who needs enemies?

I hope for her sake she never becomes the target for a national campaign of hate by the liberal left (one of those "your column is racist" or "you hate the poor" or "you're a scumbag and we have pictures of you topless from when you were 25" type of deals).

Because she certainly has made it hard to earn a lot of admirers who would want to stick with her through the tough times when this is how she reacts to a liberal smear campaign.

What part of Bill Simon being ahead in the polls is she pissed about?

[L.N. Smithee]

I don't know what database she is referring to, but this is apparently one that has probably been recently updated -- or else, Deloitte & Touche, the firm that was hired to do a background check on Hindelang, would have turned up the facts. From the 1998 Wall Street Journal piece on Hindelang and his labyrinthian investments designed to hide his dope-running assets retained after his early release from prison:

BAD LINK ALERT! This is the link to the WSJ article about Hindelang: http://www.startupjournal.com/howto/successstories/199906030911-allen.html

[BluesDuke]

But Simon is such an awful candidate that hardly anybody is talking right now about Davis's many, many vulnerabilities.

Most to the point: Simon himself isn't talking about Davis, isn't making Davis himself an issue. Davis has a record - and it is a horrid one. The longer Simon hesitates to make Davis himself an issue, the better chance has Davis to survive, and the better chance the California Republicans will have of enhancing their reputation for seeing a horse where there was barely a Shetland pony.

[Gophack]

Most to the point: Simon himself isn't talking about Davis, isn't making Davis himself an issue. Davis has a record - and it is a horrid one. The longer Simon hesitates to make Davis himself an issue, the better chance has Davis to survive

Simon HAS made Davis an issue. Simon hasn't hesitated. Simon has been 100% committed to exposing Davis' record. And, when people are focused, he'll put it on t.v. since the media isn't doing their job.

Go to his website and check it out for yourself.

[BluesDuke]

Never mind this "when people are focused" jazz - he should be getting people focused, every time he opens his mouth out on the trail. It doesn't have to be his sole issue, of course, but it does have to be prime in his presentation, every presentation, every stop he makes. (For that matter, he needs get people focused on Bill Lockyer as an issue in himself, too - California should be embarrassed that it elected a slug like him as Attorney General.)

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I agree with her. I never dreamed Simon could lose against Davis. I mean, how could that ever happen? DAVIS???? A flea could beat Davis!!! Yet....

In light of Simons campaign, and his history, he SHOULD bow out, and that would allow for Bill Jones, who I have NO DOUBT could win against Davis to run and WIN.

Remember, Bill Jones didn't get a Whitehouse endorsement because he supported McCain in the Presidential run. But Jones could have wiped the smirk off of Davis's face easily.

Simon is too involved with corporate America, and has dealings which are suspect (The timing could NOT be worst!!). I've been trying to point this out since the campaign. Roirdan could have beat Davis too.. but Simon's win was a Democratic win, pure and simple.I even believe they cheered his winning the nomination.

Go ahead,..flame away. But I think the Republicans picked the worst possible candidate. I will vote for him if he remains in the race, but I don't think he is going to pull this off.

That this race is so close, that Davis (who is horrible in so MANY ways) is doing as well as he is considering all his blunders.. is just friggin amazing!! He HAS to be removed from office. He is totally inept.

That the race is as close as it is.. is evidence that Simon wasn't even a "mediocre" candidate. Simons voting record in elections will be a HUGE issue too. That, his business dealings and his lack of being able to connect with the public. He just isn't a good speaker or effective candidate. This race SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BREEZE!!

Sorry.. thats how we see it. I don't know how it would work if Simons removed himself from the ticket.. but at this point, it would be in the best interest of the party.

IMHO.. Hat on!!

[Wolfstar]

As a Californian who has posted several times on FR about how weak Simon's campaign is, I could almost — emphasize "almost" — agree. However, Bill Jones finished third in the primary for very good reason. He revealed his both his total disloyalty and his poor judgement during the 2000 presidential primary. He had come out early in support of then Gov. George W. Bush. Then, when McCain was at the height of the media frenzy for him, shortly before the California primary Jones suddenly jumped from Bush to McCain. Jones' political career in this state crashed with that incredibly stupid move.

This year, Riordan and Jones split the "moderate" Republican vote in the primary while the overwhelming number of conservatives voted for Simon. Conservatives are desperately swimming upstream against a flood that is turning this state into the most Left-wing in the nation, even surpassing Vermont. It's truly unfortunate that Simon has turned out to be just an awful campaigner. I don't expect much improvement after that magic turning point his campaign keeps telling us they are waiting for — you know, the time when people start to focus on the campaign. All I have to say to that is: if you are focusing on the race, and I am focusing on the race, who are we to presume that no one else is?

[restornu]

You are all wet SIMON is lead in the poles by 2% and don't have eigth million invested like Davis.

He was on Batchlor and Alexanzander last nigth and gave an excellant talk on his Agenda!

listen to John & Paul Mon-Sat. at 10pm EST. on WABC NY Radio 710 AM

WABC RADIO 770 AM MON.- SAT. 10 PM RIGHT AFTER MIKE SAVAGE

THESE GUYS ARE MODERATES PRO AMERICA, YOU ALSO GET NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND ISRAEL. They are different yet you are getting news from ALL OVER THE WORLD, that cable won't talk about.

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It is so weird sometimes the Dem defend the Pubs, and some times the Pub sounds like a dem. But both are Patriotic Americans! John and Paul! Profile

Batchelor and Alexander
Weekdays: 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Saturday: 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM

What is Important is the Middle East Reporting on the WAR and ISRAEL!

[Wolfstar]

Vets_Husband_and_Wife: Sorry, I intended my remarks for people who are defending Simon's lousy campaign. I just clicked "post reply" on the last post on the thread. Happened to be yours, and you and I are in agreement with the exception that I don't agree that Simon should bow out now. That would be tantamount to lettting Davis run unapposed.

[stands2reason]

LOL!!!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

That is what I wanted to know. What would happen if Davis bowed out?

If that means that Davis would run alone on the ticket.. then NO. But if it would mean that Jones or even Riordin could run, I'd be for it. I was never a big fan of Riordin, but heck, I'd do almost anything for a Governor other than Davis!!

I don't believe Jones ever publicly endorsed Candidate Bush. Not that I remember. But I do recall him endorsing McCain. That was his right.. but when it comes to PARTY favorites because you backed a certain PARTY Candidate, during the NOMINATION Process..then I think that is self defeating as a party. Once Candidate Bush was our candidate.. Jones full heartedly endorsed him. After all, the Whitehouse came out for Riordin. There endorsement of Simon has been there, but it felt lukewarm.

I still think Bill Jones would have been the most conservative, and for us he has proven that in his comments on the issues. Just MHO friend.

OH.. and don't forget to put on your tinfoil hat. We are probably going to be publicly stoned for our views :o)

[CHUCKfromCAL]

I agree with you completely.

What is it with California Republican candidates? They don't think they have to learn the trade of politics or work there way up to statewide or national offices. They think that they can just decide one day to run for governor or congress and the people will elect them. I live in Silicon Valley and the two Republican candidates for congress have little or no political experience. Both are running terrible campaigns with no chance of winning against weak Democrat incumbents.

Simon would have no chance of winning either if Grey Davis wasn't a walking disaster. Davis is trying desperately to beat himself and Simon still can't get it together.

How could he let this suit go to trial during the campaign?

Didn't Simon understand the consequences of this kind of outcome?

Does he have competent advisors and does he listen to them?

[Wolfstar]

I'm certainly not an expert on election law, but I have worked on enough campaigns to take a fairly educated guess as to what would happen if Simon pulled out (which he won't). The primary election decides who a party's nominee is for a given office. If something occurs such that the duly elected nominee can't run, I think what happens then depends on when the nominee dropped out.

If it's early enough in the election season, it would be a relatively easy situation to deal with. The pertinent section of the law would kick in and replacement candidate would be selected. (I don't know the procedure, but suspect the nomination would either fall to the person who finished second in the primary, or the party leadership would draft someone.)

If the nominee dropped out late in the process — meaning after the voter info and ballots were past the point where they could be changed — then there would be no official nominee for that party. The party could try to organize a write-in campaign around a new candidate, but that would be an uphill fight.

[TheAngryClam]

Debra has been carping about Simon ever since the primary. She was dumping on him within days, and whining about how Jones didn't win.

She needs to get off her high Jones horse right now.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Thanks. You may be correct. I've also wondered about a "write in" campaign. I know that is legal.

[Ohioan]

I don't know anything, of course, about the law suit mentioned. But I would applaud Simon for not releasing his tax returns. The demand that candidates do so is insulting, and serves no legitimate public purpose. It is simply a fertile field for demagogues looking to make red herring arguments.

Can anyone even imagine anyone daring to ask George Washington or Thomas Jefferson to publish their personal financial information as a prerequisite for running for office? I don't think so!

As for the campaign? It is August 2nd. Shouldn't the lady wait until at least mid-September, to pass judgment? Too long a campaign can get very stale indeed.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[537 Votes]

These situations are difficult to call at a distance. On the one hand, I know Democrats love to sling mud at conservatives. On the other hand, refusing to release tax returns does sound suspicious.

I'll trust California conservatives, who are better apprised of the facts, to determine whether Simon is being unjustly accused, or is just another scoundrel (a la Trafficant) wrapping himself in the flag.

Just remember, a Republican who lies is just as bad as a Democrat who tells the truth -- because, basically, they're the same thing.