Bill Simon (CA conservative) soothes conservatives' concerns over Giuliani

Scripps News ^ | March 14, 2007 | PETER HECHT

[FairOpinion]

Bill Simon, an unsuccessful 2002 California gubernatorial candidate, former federal prosecutor under Giuliani and bedrock social conservative, delivered a spirited intro.

"He comforted us. He inspired us in what was one of the darkest moments in our history," Simon said, extolling Giuliani's leadership after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. "Extraordinary times cry out for extraordinary leadership, and these as such times."

"It would be fair to say that Bill Simon is using his personal cachet to vouch for Giuliani," said Jon Fleischman, a conservative Republican activist and publisher of the Flash Report political newsletter. "Giuliani is a moderate on social issues, yet Simon has been a champion to conservatives on those same issues.

"When I talk to conservatives supporting Giuliani, many of them say, 'I'm putting my faith on what Bill Simon says.' "

First he told a hotel ballroom crowded with conservative GOP delegates that his former boss was "a fellow Ronald Reagan Republican," who cut taxes, cleaned up New York and put "countless career criminals behind bars."

He said Simon explained that Giuliani opposes partial-birth abortions and tax-funded abortions and _ though Giuliani supports domestic partnerships _ he believes marriage is strictly between man and a woman.

"If he (Simon) is endorsing Giuliani, it makes some members of the conservative wing of the party feel safer," said Gaines, a Giuliani convert. "I did have concerns. But with the explanation of how he (Giuliani) would view Supreme Court appointments, I have a level of comfort."

[LtdGovt]

Those polls don't mean squat.

That's what you said about the chances of Katherine Harris, until the results came in. And yeah, I'm a long-time lurker.

[Repub4bush]

Maybe you should go back and read Dalereed's posts, That i was intially commenting on, before you post negative coments, as you did from that first post....hmm?

[Sunsong]

I am telling you what I think. I haven't asked you what you think. I didn't even write to you. You jumped in and so far you make no sense to me.

I am looking for someone who is about personal freedom and limited government. Someone who understands state's rights. I do not want some wannebe preacher like Alan Keyes trying to shove their beliefs down my throat. That really turns me off. That, among other things, is what I am looking for. That's what my litmus tests are.

Duncan Hunter is NOT a conservative in my book. He is a fiscal, big government liberal and that is not ok with me.

[onyx]

As ugly as the slimy posts truly are, they do speak more about the poster than the poster's object of hate.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The polls then were much more credible than they are now.

[hellinahandcart]

He said Simon explained that Giuliani opposes partial-birth abortions and tax-funded abortions

Why doesn't Giuliani himself say he has changed his mind about taxpayer-funding for abortions, since everyone knows that he used to be totally in favor of funding that oh-so-important-and-Constitutional right?

Why do I have to hear about it thirdhand? "He" said "Simon" said...has Rudy gone camera-shy for the first time in his life?

[daviddennis]

I care about the war in Iraq, the war against terrorism, tax cuts, keeping our economy strong and similar issues.

Rudy Giuliani has the right views on those issues, and the executive ability to focus on them. Surprisingly, as far as I can tell, no other candidate has much in the way of proven executive ability at all. Almost everyone this year is a senator, representative or former member of those bodies.

I don't think of abortion, gun control or any of those other issues as all that important for me personally. My views on those issues are pretty mild. I would cheerfully vote for someone who had either view, basing my decision on other factors that I feel are more important.

I had a peripheral involvement in Bill Simon's campaign, and I like the guy. I think it's worth putting his defeat into context -- voters in California are huge social liberals, and Gray Davis was able to successfully exploit that. He was also able to get his usual collection of union goons and the like to support him. It's not easy winning as a Republican in a Democratic state.

In fact, the only Republicans who have a good track record at winning California elections are RINOs to most of you - Richard Riordan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, etc. I think on balance they have made saner leaders than the Democratic equivalents would have.

I'm probably more pro-Arnold than most of you. At least he tried. He got those referenda on the ballot to do things the way I think we would have preferred. He worked very hard to pass them. They lost. Instead of giving up and walking away, he started governing from the center and gained back a lot of the support he lost. As I recall, he was re-elected by a huge majority.

I think our situation is that next year we will need someone of proven leadership experience. It might be nice if someone less controversial had it. But I'm confident Rudy has the ability and the guts to succeed as President and I think that's much more important than many of you assume.

D

[Repub4bush]

You are right... The compassionate conservatives... the hypocrisy wreaks!!!

[Reagan Man]

First off, I'm not backtracking on anything. If you can show me where Rudy agrees with conservatives on anyone one of those issues I listed in post #21, then we can have a debate. Up till now, Rudy opposes everyone of those issues I listed. And don't even mention that Rudy supports a ban on PBA. That is the biggest joke of the year. A bold face lie.

If you look at the recent FR poll questions, you'll see that FReepers and Lurkers are backing good conservative candidates at this point. They do not support Rudy, however. Duncan Hunter and Newt Gingrich both beat the snot out of Rudy. Fred Thompson is currently beating the crap out of your hero and for good reason.

Free Republic Opinion Poll: If the primary were held today and your Republican choices are Rudy Giuliani vs Duncan Hunter, how would you vote?

Composite Opinion
Duncan Hunter	59.4%		3,043
Rudy Giuliani	28.6%		1,463
Undecided	4.9%		253
Third party	2.6%		135
Write-in	2.2%		111
Stay home	2.1%		108
Leave blank	0.2%		11
	100.0%		5,124
Member Opinion
Duncan Hunter	62.9%		1,682
Rudy Giuliani	25.8%		690
Undecided	5.8%		156
Write-in	2.2%		60
Third party	2.2%		58
Stay home	0.9%		24
Leave blank	0.1%		4
	99.9%		2,674
Non-Member Opinion
Duncan Hunter	55.6%		1,361
Rudy Giuliani	31.6%		773
Undecided	4.0%		97
Stay home	3.4%		84
Third party	3.1%		77
Write-in	2.1%		51
Leave blank	0.3%		7
	100.1%		2,450

[ More Opinion Polls · Return to Forum ]

Free Republic Opinion Poll: If the primary were held today and your Republican choices are Rudy Giuliani vs Newt Gingrich, how would you vote?

Composite Opinion
Newt Gingrich	60.4%		3,451
Rudy Giuliani	24.2%		1,383
Third party	4.8%		277
Write-in	3.6%		205
Stay home	3.2%		180
Undecided	3.1%		178
Leave blank	0.7%		38
	100.0%		5,712
Member Opinion
Newt Gingrich	64.3%		1,701
Rudy Giuliani	21.7%		575
Undecided	4.4%		117
Third party	3.6%		96
Write-in	3.6%		94
Stay home	1.9%		50
Leave blank	0.5%		13
	100.0%		2,646
Non-Member Opinion
Newt Gingrich	57.1%		1,750
Rudy Giuliani	26.4%		808
Third party	5.9%		181
Stay home	4.2%		130
Write-in	3.6%		111
Undecided	2.0%		61
Leave blank	0.8%		25
	100.0%		3,066

[ More Opinion Polls · Return to Forum ]

Free Republic Opinion Poll: If the primary were held today and your Republican choices are Rudy Giuliani vs Fred Thompson, how would you vote?

Composite Opinion
Fred Thompson	65.7%		4,077
Rudy Giuliani	19.3%		1,200
Undecided	4.1%		252
Write-in	3.8%		236
Third party	3.4%		209
Stay home	3.2%		200
Leave blank	0.5%		30
	100.0%		6,204
Member Opinion
Fred Thompson	68.2%		1,902
Rudy Giuliani	17.3%		481
Undecided	6.0%		168
Write-in	3.8%		107
Third party	2.4%		66
Stay home	1.8%		50
Leave blank	0.5%		14
	100.0%		2,788
Non-Member Opinion
Fred Thompson	63.7%		2,175
Rudy Giuliani	21.0%		719
Stay home	4.4%		150
Third party	4.2%		143
Write-in	3.8%		129
Undecided	2.5%		84
Leave blank	0.5%		16
	100.1%		3,416

[ More Opinion Polls · Return to Forum ]

[You Dirty Rats]

So ALL of the current polls are wrong? They all show Rudy WAY in front. Do you think that is a monumental coincidence or a deliberate conspiracy?

Hey, if you believe that Hunter or Paul or Tancredo or Buchanan or someone else is actually leading please don't let me disturb your pleasant dream. But it IS a dream.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I can't imagine someone with your concern for fiscal issues saying that you think that it's better to have a fiscal liberal as president, than a social liberal.

Both Nixon and Bush I were social liberals and yet the government still grew.

Look at how much destruction Bush has wrought over the past 6 years.

Bush should have used the veto pen, yes.

Now imagine the same 6 years, but with a fiscally conservative social liberal as President.

There's no guarantee Rudy will be fiscally conservative since he won't owe conservatives a damn thing.

[onyx]

If you think they're mad and hateful now, just wait until after Super Tuesday...lol. Governor Arnold is fixing to sign a bill tomorrow that moves CA's primary to Super February 5, 2007 Tuesday.

By the time my poor little state votes on March 8, 2007, I'll wager the nomination will have already been secured.

[You Dirty Rats]

Now all you have to do is get a Constitutional Amendment passed and ratified that limits suffrage to Freepers.

But you've already accomplished the hard part -- proving Rudy is not the favorite candidate here -- so don't worry.

[LtdGovt]

FR polls are not scientific. Pat Buchanan, George Allen and Alan Keyes can attest to that fact. Right now, GOP primary voters are supporting Rudy, whether you like it or not.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>I've been perhaps the only FReeper openly sounding the alarm on entitlement programs and the size & scope of the federal government.

You're not the only one. I've been ringing that alarm bell on Bush and Company for years.

[BigSkyFreeper]

By the time my poor little state votes on March 8, 2007, I'll wager the nomination will have already been secured.

I think a dinner meeting with Haley is in order.

[onyx]

Yeah and I know I will meet Haley soon --- already been given a ticket to a luncheon! WOO-HOO!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I am looking for someone who is about personal freedom and limited government.

If you're looking at Giuliani for this, you're looking in the wrong place.

Someone who understands state's rights.

Protecting state's rights, when did Giuliani become such an advocate of such?

I do not want some wannebe preacher like Alan Keyes trying to shove their beliefs down my throat.

Hey, I don't either. But I don't want a President who believes that babies are the equivalent of toilet paper either.

Duncan Hunter is NOT a conservative in my book. He is a fiscal, big government liberal and that is not ok with me.

I never accused Hunter of being a supply-sider either. But he is a moral individual who genuinely cares about America. That tells me he'll easily address fiscal concerns as well.

[FreeReign]

There's no guarantee Rudy will be fiscally conservative since he won't owe conservatives a damn thing.

Can't offer any guarantees, I don't even endorce Rudy, but that said, Rudy does have the best fiscally conservative record.

[LtdGovt]

Both Nixon and Bush I were social liberals and yet the government still grew.

Irrelevant. I voiced dismay over the fact that you seem to prefer a socially conservative fiscal liberal over a fiscally conservative social liberal. And I think Rudy will be a fiscal conservative.

BTW: Nixon was only a social liberal on the issue of affirmative action, and Bush I flip-flopped on all the social issues.

Bush should have used the veto pen, yes.

He should not have bullied Congress into passing NCLB and Medicare Part D.

There's no guarantee Rudy will be fiscally conservative since he won't owe conservatives a damn thing.

Why not?