Davis-Simon debate slated for today may be scrapped over green party candidate (davis finds way out)

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[chance33_98]

Today's long-awaited debate between Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and Republican Bill Simon could be scrapped over a dispute about what to do with Green Party candidate Peter Camejo.

Simon has threatened to pull out if the Los Angeles Times, the debate's sponsor, does not allow Camejo to attend as his guest. Davis' campaign has said the governor won't show up if Camejo is even in the audience.

[yoe]

The Green Party or The Pie In The Sky Party. Do a slide show of the scorched American forests from this summer.

[William McKinley]

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[Congressman Billybob]

Remember the break-through for Reagan in New Hampshire when he invited all the Republican candidates to the debate, and said, "Mr. Breen, I paid for this miicrophone."? Well, actually, his name was "Green." But Reagan got a "fair-play" bump from that event, and never looked back.

I think Simon is doing the same thing to Davis, here. If Davis ducks the debate, he will look small, childish and cowardly. Every little bit helps in the war against Davis.

Congressman Billybob

Click for "Oedipus and the Democrats"

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Click for "to Restore Trust in America"

[socal_parrot]

Davis agreed to only one debate on a Monday at noon and now he's threatening to cancel if the this guy is in the audience. I wonder if he'll go running out of the room if someone looks at him the wrong way?

[sam_paine]

[Carry_Okie]

That is one reason Davis has refused to appear with Camejo, while Simon has been an unlikely cheerleader for the Green Party hopeful.

This may be ggod theater, but I think it makes for bad politics. Whether it is true or not, few voters will really believe that Simon is doing this for reasons of "open debate." That makes him appear cynical.

It's a juvenile move. It's OK for FReepers to sprinkle Camejo stickers about because that doesn't appear associated with a conservative tactic, but that doesn't mean that Simon should be seen doing it.

[drjimmy]

But what happens if the LA Slimes continues to bar Camejo from being allowed to attend. Will Simon refuse to do the debate? I doubt it, because that would be cutting off your nose to spite your face. Simon has to make sure to make hay over this issue during and after the debate, not just before it. With Rollins calling the shots, he's got a decent chance.

[Congressman Billybob]

Simon's tactic is to show up for the debate with the Green Party candidate in tow. He's ready to debate. Davis then either has to debate, or let the other two candidates debate an empty chair.

Remember the first debate when Reagan ran against Carter? Who was on the stage? It was just Reagan and ANDERSON. Carter's people decided that appearing on stage with Anderson would give him too much legitimacy. So they made the calculated decison that Anderson would drop in the polls and the flack wouldn't hurt Carter too much.

Recall that at the second debate that year, Anderson was gone and just Reagan and Carter appeared.

Davis doesn't have the time and the option to follow Carter's example. There is no "next debate" to make it up. This is a good move by Simon because Davis has no way out of the box.

The L.A. Times can tell the Green guy that he can't debate. But it cannot tell Simon who he can invite as a guest. If Simon shows and Davis doesn't, the Times looks like a horse's patoot if it attempts to cancel the affair, rather than go ahead, with Simon and Camejo.

I'm curious whether Camejo's father was Peter, who ran as the Socialist-Workers candidate for President a few elections back. If so, I know his father.

Congressman Billybob

Click for "Oedipus and the Democrats"

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Click for "to Restore Trust in America"

[NormsRevenge]

The "Green" Debate of 2002 ... ummm..

I agree with you, Carry. Simon needs to get the mike time now.

The "slamming Davi$ over Camejo" time will come.

[NormsRevenge]

GO SIMON

***

Tom McClintock for CA State Controller



***

DUMP DAVI$ .. MoVe the Manure out of the Capitol in Sacramento

[Coop]

This may be ggod theater, but I think it makes for bad politics. Whether it is true or not, few voters will really believe that Simon is doing this for reasons of "open debate." That makes him appear cynical.

I disagree. Simon is effectively calling more media attention to a debate that was set up by Davis to get the least amount of attention as possible. It's also reinforcing Davis' fear of debating Simon, hopefully making undecided voters question what Davis is hiding from. I also imagine this ticks off Grayout, who is always just one question away from losing his temper. Definite bonus points if Simon can get Davis to throw a tantrum.

Unless Simon is foolish enough not to show up, then I'll agree it was a poor decision.

[Carry_Okie]

We do disagree. If Davis doesn't show up, because of Camejo's presence, Simon loses the opportunity to look better head to head and deprives the public of the rare opportunity to watch Davis twitch. The broadcasters might even cancel the show and nobody but Simon supporters would notice. The newsheads would probably even portray Simon's insistence on Camejo's presence as a ploy in the interest of "objectivity."

[eureka!]

I agree with Carry that the presstitutes would ignore a Grayout no show. Simon can make hay of the Green exclusion in a response to an answer. Just MHO....

[Coop]

If Davis doesn't show up, because of Camejo's presence, Simon loses the opportunity to look better head to head and deprives the public of the rare opportunity to watch Davis twitch.

Where do you draw the line then? Davis has already made multiple demands. Simon would be foolish to give in to every demand just so Davis will debate him. Yes, the press will provide cover no matter what, but I would bet good money that the LA Times will not be pleased if the Governor is a no-show to its event.

[Carry_Okie]

Yes, the press will provide cover no matter what, but I would bet good money that the LA Times will not be pleased if the Governor is a no-show to its event.

If Davis doesn't show because of Simon's insistence on Camejo's presence, the Times might blame Simon. They'll still cover for Davis when the time comes.

[Coop]

Yeah, and they might blame Simon for all sorts of things. Just like they've been doing for months. Yet he's still in the race.

[Carry_Okie]

Simon needs the exposure. Meanwhile, the more face time Davis gets the more people hate him.

It's worth the compromise. They shouldn't have made Camejo the issue.

[NormsRevenge]

Altho it shur has piqued interest in the debate. ;-)

[Coop]

Well, it sounds like Cong. BB and I disagree with Carry, Norm and eureka! So be it. :-) Either way, this East Coaster would appreciate any updates this afternoon on the debate.