Simon Down for the Count?

National Review ^ | 08/19/2002 | Jonathan Wilcox

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I don't remember who ran against Davis in 1998, but I remember National Review touting him as the next sure thing, the next Ronald Reagan.

He lost.

[Pokey78]

Dan Lungren.

[goldstategop]

Its important to keep one's perspective. The fall campaign hasn't even started yet and the verdict's already in: Its over. GrayDown is burning away TV airtime but the little noticed reality is he hasn't touted his record in running for reelection. He doesn't have one. He's been all negative on Bill Simon which explains GrayDown's 17 point lead in current polls. The problem is its a lead built on sand. Once voters start tuning in and are reminded of GrayDown's problems, he's good as gone. And again keep in mind we still don't have a state budget. How's that for leadership from our current governor? Draw your own conclusions after you learn what GrayDown hasn't done in his first four years in office.

[goldstategop]

Dan Lundgren ran away from the base, from his record and he looked unsure of why he wanted to be Governor. And there was Gray Davis' boasting of his political experience and as they say the rest was history.

[KeyBored]

". . . He's not a likeable leader — his profanity-laced tirades are public record. He has no plan for a better future . . ."

But these same traits haven't stopped Xillary, have they?

[BibChr]

Some for-real optimistic thinking.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

For eight weeks, they hounded Simon to release his personal tax returns, and the campaign stalled.

No doubt they're still hounding Jon Corzine...oh, wait, he's a democrat.

[Galtoid]

California, like New York, is an almost impossible state for the GOP. If Simon were to pull ahead and win, the press will have a hissy. I'm not holding my breath, though.

[Coop]

Even with substantial Democrat majorities in the state legislature, he can't even get a budget passed, which the law requires be done by July 1.

This is a powerful message to run on in the Fall. In VA it sunk Mark Earley who was (fairly or unfairly) tied to the incumbent gov, Jim Gilmore.

You said 17 point lead in the polls. Have you seen another one, or is that comment based on the one nebulous Dem poll from last week?

[Coop]

California, like New York, is an almost impossible state for the GOP.

You're right. Pataki, Giuliani and Bloomberg [gag!] all learned the hard way.

Okay everybody! Pack up and go home! Show's over!

[goldstategop]

That was the one discussed here last week. Besides the two months left are an eternity in politics. Look underneath the surface and no one much likes GrayDown and his underperformance so far turns people off even those in his own party.

[Free the USA]

Index Bump

[KeyBored]

Oh, no-one is saying that R's can't win in NY.

They can.

If they promise MORE pork and promote MORE socialism than the Dems.

Yeah, Mildred, ah'm a gonna vote for Georgie Pataki - he's a pubbie an' he's one a us!

[Coop]

Oh, no-one is saying that R's can't win in NY.

????

California, like New York, is an almost impossible state for the GOP.

[stop_fascism]

Pete Wilson, George Dukmejian, Ronald Reagan, George Murphy, Sam Hiyakawa. The fault dear coop is in ourselves, not in our stars.

[Coop]

I have no idea what you mean.

[stop_fascism]

That's a list of prominent republicans who did win in California. The main reason that republicans are not winning at this moment, is the dismal perfomance of the republican party within the state.

In 94, the pubbies almost took control of the state legislature. It's been straight down hill since then.

My point is - there is nothing inherent in California politics preventing Republicans form winning. But - the party must do a more effective job supporting republicans.

[Belial]

I'm glad Simon's chief speechwriter still believes he can win.

[Johnny Shear]

Gray Davis...EASILY beatable IDIOT!!!! And we've got this Simon clown going for us so we'll lose.

I hope you Simon Supporters are HAPPY!

Whaaaaaa! Whaaaaaaa! I hate RINOs! Whaaaaaaaa! Whaaaaaaa! Everything MUST be MY WAY or I'll take my ball and go home! Whaaaaaaaa! Whaaaaaaaa!

Well...Enjoy having Davis for another 4 years...You've EARNED him!