 calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register |
Posted on 08/30/2002 1:27:36 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
- Challenger says ethics his priority
SACRAMENTO – Battered by a fraud verdict, questions about a tax shelter and ads attacking his business deals, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon yesterday sought to take the offensive on the ethics front.
He blasted Gov. Gray Davis for mixing contributions and policy and pledged to act differently if elected.
Speaking in front of a friendly audience at the Rotary Club, Simon said he would eliminate the perception of ethical problems by avoiding fund-raising during the final month of the legislative session and the 30-day bill signing period afterward.
The end of the session, when politicians cast critical votes and make important decisions about legislation, is a rich season for gathering contributions from interest groups with state business. Davis, a Democrat, has been especially prolific at harvesting contributions during this period.
"When I'm elected governor, voters will know that my decisions are guided by sound public policy, not campaign contributions," Simon said.
Simon said hundreds of bills sit on Davis' desk.
"For the next 30 days, we'll have the opportunity to see Gray Davis' pay-to-play tactics on full display," he charged.
But Simon, who has repeatedly criticized his Democratic opponent for doing favors for political contributors, is viewed by voters as less likely to maintain high ethical standards in government than Davis, according to a recent poll.
The nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California shows that 43 percent of voters give Davis higher marks for ethics, compared with 28 percent who believe Simon has more integrity.
Simon, in remarks to reporters, attributed his lagging numbers in ethics to the $18 million in negative ads that Davis has been airing all summer tarnishing his reputation and attacking his business deals. Simon said those numbers will turn around once he begins advertising more heavily.
The Republican also said he would end sole source contracting – a reference to a controversial deal Davis made with Oracle, a software firm, that was voided after critics said it would cost the state millions of extra dollars. Oracle contributed $25,000 to the Davis campaign shortly after the contract was approved.
Davis' campaign spokesman, Roger Salazar, said there's always been a clear distinction between campaign contributions and policy.
Further, he said, fund-raising bans are often proposed by candidates who are wealthy enough to finance their own campaigns, which would give them an advantage over candidates who aren't rich. Simon, a wealthy businessman, has contributed heavily to his campaign.
Salazar said Simon is in no position to talk about ethics because his investment firm was hit with a $78 million fraud verdict from a jury, his tax shelters are being investigated by the IRS and his securities firm was fined in what he called a "pay-to-play" action – contributing to politicians in exchange for potential business.
"If Bill Simon wants to give lectures on ethics, he might want to stand in the mirror," he said.
During his speech, Simon said a state water board controlled by Davis appointees changed its mind on allowing toxins to be dumped in the San Francisco Bay Area after an oil company, Tosco, donated $50,000 to Davis' campaign.
Although calling the governor a legendary fund-raiser, Simon praised another champion at raising campaign cash, President Bush.
Simon declined to comment on allegations that contributions from energy companies to the president resulted in these companies exerting undue influence on the administration's energy policy.
"I'm focused on Governor Davis," he said.
|
calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register |
As for myself, I have written off Cali and the "New" states, (New England, New York, New Jersey), for statewide Republican prospects. The best bet now is the South, MidWest, and non-Pacific West, for statewide contests, both for state and federal offices. You've heard the joke, "Why did they rob the bank? Because that's where the money was!" Why waste resources on Simon? It would take a miracle of Biblical proportions to elect conservative Republicans in the Northeast and Cali. I don't shy away from a fight, but sometimes you have to acknowledge reality and take the fight somewhere else. The fertile ground for statewide GOP victories is elsewhere.....
DUMP DAVIS...Amen!
I have my "DUMP DAVIS" bumper sticker right smack in the middle of the trunk on my Sebring. It has given a lot of people a good laugh!!! Let's hope they listen!!!
Agreed!
It certainly shows their bias, in my opinion!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.