Posted on 01/28/2002 5:52:20 PM PST by Jagdgewehr
SACRAMENTO – Rather than wait patiently on the sidelines while the three major Republican candidates for the gubernatorial nomination slug it out, Democratic Gov. Gray Davis has decided to join the fray.
Davis' top campaign aides announced yesterday that he has begun airing an ad across the state that questions leading GOP candidate Richard Riordan's commitment to abortion rights, implying that the former Los Angeles mayor's previous support for anti-abortion causes means he can't be trusted.
Riordan, who enjoys a large lead in polls over his two Republican rivals, Secretary of State Bill Jones and businessman Bill Simon, has made his strong stance in favor of abortion rights the hallmark of a campaign to lead Republicans to victory by remaking the party in a more moderate image.
Riordan has nearly ignored his rivals for the March 5 primary election and has aimed most of his fire at Davis, accusing him of mismanaging the economy and the electricity crisis. Davis faces no major primary opponent.
Davis' ad claims that Riordan contributed thousands of dollars to GOP candidates who oppose abortion rights and gave money to an organization, Americans United for Life, that served as the legal arm of the anti-abortion movement. The ad also says Riordan chaired a committee that backed the Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork, an opponent of abortion.
Davis' top campaign adviser, Garry South, said the governor is buying negative ads to counter Riordan's charges and accusations.
"I've been publicly warning Riordan for weeks that we would not allow him to use Gray Davis as a punching bag," South said.
South said the advertising campaign had nothing to do with Davis' diminished standing in the opinion polls. In nearly all polls, Riordan has opened up a small lead over the incumbent governor.
Riordan's deputy press secretary, Matt Szabo, said the unusual ad is an attempt to focus the public on issues other than the governor's failings. He said Riordan favors abortion rights, "plain and simple."
"This is clearly an attempt by Gray Davis to muddy the waters and divert attention from the real issues – the massive budget deficit, the mismanagement of the economy and education," he said.
The Riordan campaign has prepared an ad to defend him.
Szabo did not dispute the contributions mentioned in the Davis ad, and noted that Riordan has given thousands of dollars to a variety of causes and candidates. Indeed, Riordan has faced criticism from Jones for donating large sums to Democrats, including Davis, the man he now wants to defeat.
South said the ads are not unprecedented. Gov. Pete Wilson ran negative ads against Democrat Kathleen Brown while her Democratic primary was still going on in 1994 because she was the clear front-runner, said Republican consultant Dan Schnur.
"There was no reason to wait until the primary was over to start the general election," Schnur said. "Davis has also decided to start the general election now."
What will be next? Who has closest ties with the NRA?
Davis - "I'm the most pro-baby killing!"
Riordan - "No, I'm the most pro-baby killing!"
Am I ever glad I don't live in California.
In agreement. Flaming will not be forthcoming.
Riordan - "No, I'm the most pro-baby killing!"
For the next ten months, that is exactly what we'll hear.
Hmm... that sounds like a good Bill Simon ad. ;)
Excep that Davis is to Riordan's right. Hey, fine with me if Davis wants to help get himself in a race with Simon in November. That's an election that I wouldn't sit out.
Am I ever glad I don't live in California. <<
They got RINOs like that in every state. "Republican" Corinne Wood is having the same "debate" with Rod Blagojevic here in Illinois. NARAL plans to run those type of ads "against" Liddy Dole in North Carolina (she's not pro-choice ENOUGH)
That's why we have primaries. Knock the RINOs out in the primary and then you can watch a REAL debate.
"Let me make one thing clear to you today: I'm pro-choice," Riordan said in a corporate conference room with 17 women lined up behind him.Davis has forced Slick to run screaming from CA conservatives over this issue. The problem is that the moron doesn't realize that he needs those conservatives to win the nomination! If Davis can keep this up, conservatives will show up in force to keep Slick off the ticket. Why would Davis do this? Because he thinks that Simon or Jones would be easier opponents. Facing another socialist might cost him his job. Policy issues, like abortion, would vanish and the campaign would focus on Davis' pathetic record. It would be much better for him if Slick lost; then he could demagogue the GOP candidate rather than talk about his record."I strongly support the right of women to make their own decision with respect to their bodies, their careers, their families and every part of their lives. Gov. Davis is acting desperate the last week. He's trying to keep people's eye off the ball."
"The bottom line is they knew I was pro-choice, I knew I was pro-choice, and that's true today."
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