Judge Throws Out Simon Firm Verdict/New Poll Shows Simon Leading Davis

AP via the Washington Times ^ | September 12, 2002

[rightwing2]

SEPTEMBER 12, 13:28 ET

Judge Throws Out Simon Firm Verdict

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge Thursday threw out a politically damaging $78 million civil fraud verdict against GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon's family investment firm.

Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant dismissed both the compensatory and punitive damages verdict against William E. Simon & Sons and a nearly $20 million verdict also levied by a jury against another investor group.

Simon, who faces Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in the November election, had described the July 30 jury verdict as ``crazy'' and ``fundamentally flawed'' and maintained that it would not stand.

He wasn't personally named in the lawsuit, but with corporate wrongdoing in the spotlight, the fraud verdict against the family firm was political poison.

The verdict spooked GOP supporters and become the focus of a Davis attack ad that remains on the air. It also struck at a key theme of Simon's first-time candidacy, his boasts of private-sector success.

Inside Politics
The Washington Times
9-12-02

Still in play

"The California gubernatorial race between incumbent Democrat Gov. Gray Davis and Republican challenger Bill Simon is still very much in play," United Press International reports in its Capital Comment column. "A recent statewide Field poll showed Simon trailing Davis by 7 points with both candidates polling at less than 40 percent. This means that voters are still trying to make up their minds and will likely break late — making a last-minute scandal or October surprise potentially devastating — but also increasing the importance that solidly committed voters will play in each campaign," the wire service said.

"Therein lies some good news for Simon, according to a new poll conducted for his campaign by the Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. The survey shows Simon has pulled ahead of Davis 'among voters most likely to vote' in the upcoming Nov. 5 election. Turnout is expected to hit almost historic lows on Election Day, giving the hard-core supporters of each candidate a disproportionate degree of influence on the outcome of the race. "Among 'most likely voters,' Simon leads Davis 41 percent to 36 percent. The survey of 800 voters was conducted after the Field Poll and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent. The survey also found that 56 percent of respondents say they want the state to have a new governor, while only 39 percent want Davis re-elected."

[rightwing2]

Great news for Simon and Californians!

[rightwing2]

Here's the good news on a seperate thread and here is the link:

http://wire.ap.org/?FRONTID=NATIONAL&SLUG=SIMON%2dFRAUD

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

So this is on the AP wire, terrific!

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[newgeezer]

Nice graphic!

[Dave S]

The higher the negative evaluations go for the two candidates, the more people will stay home and not bother to vote.

Looking for good for Simon.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the good news ping!

[rightwing2]

To FR's foremost anti-conservative and RINO Dick Riorden/John Sununu supporter, moderate conservative Bill Simon is going to win big in November despite your best efforts.

[Shermy]

I'd have to say that that election is about as bizarre as one involving people named McKinney or Florida voting machines.

[SierraWasp]

This Changes everything!

Plus have you found the poll that says the people blame the legislature and DAVIS for the budget mess?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Pretty incredible news. Now a Simon victory is possible.

[Coop]

Now a Simon victory is possible.

It always has been.

[eureka!]

Yep. Simon could still win, but this is so cool. "Crazy" and "incomprehensible" verdict. Yay. Hip hip hooray. My keyboards cannot convey my glee....

[X-Servative]

How will the LA Slimes position this? Any takers?

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

The key is to TURN OUT THE VOTE FOR SIMON!!! THAT IS THE KEY! I know all our friends in California who can be are hard at work to be sure every single available vote for Simon is turned out! (If not, why not?)

[Williams]

Gee, still only mid September, but the scum liberal media wrote headlines weeks ago that everyone agreed Simon was finished. Just happened to coincide with our great president's supportive visit to Simon. Now the basis for those absurd articles has been thrown out the window. The liberal media are a disgusting cancer on this nation.

[Coop]

I don't know what the Slimes will do, but I swear this reversal has been prominently featured on numerous news websites (CNN, MSNBC, Yahoo, etc.). I also saw it scrolling on CNN on the telly. True, the CA media is the most important element, but this will help spread the belief nationwide that Simon was vindicated and can definitely still win.

[Red Jones]

bump

[Redleg Duke]

Quite a title you have given me. Proves that not only are you a flaming hysteric, but an idiot with his head in rectal deflade!

[rightwing2]

Quite a title you have given me. Proves that not only are you a flaming hysteric, but an idiot with his head in rectal deflade!

Looks like I hit a sore spot. The truth hurts, doesn't it?

[rightwing2]

Gee, still only mid September, but the scum liberal media wrote headlines weeks ago that everyone agreed Simon was finished. Just happened to coincide with our great president's supportive visit to Simon. Now the basis for those absurd articles has been thrown out the window. The liberal media are a disgusting cancer on this nation.

Yes, it is amazing how many people bought the liberal media propaganda line from before he even won the primary that Simon couldn't win. Well, they said he couldn't win the primary. They were wrong. They said he was a loser even though he led Davis in most polls until this bogus jury verdict happened. Now, that it is reversed expect the story to appear on pagg A-35 of the LA Times whereas the fraud verdict was a headliner.