Simon Draws Conservative Line in Sand - Article HerePosted on 02/06/2002 8:59:50 AM PST by Impeach98
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Simon Draws Conservative Line in Sand - Article Here
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Bill Simon makes stop in Santa Maria
By Jasmine Marshall / Times Staff Writer SANTA MARIA -- Declaring himself "a real Republican" before a small crowd of Santa Marians Tuesday, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bill Simon promised to restore a balanced state budget and promote conservative values if elected. The most recent poll by the Los Angeles Times shows Simon gaining ground on Republican front-runner Richard Riordan. In a primary with low voter turnout, Simon is projected to pull in 21 percent to Riordan 26. Simon, the scion of former treasury secretary William E. Simon Sr., has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in New York and founded an investment firm and Christian television station PAX-TV. Simon has been courting cultural conservatives and the agribusiness vote by visiting communities like Bakersfield and Santa Maria as he enters the homestretch for the March 5 primary to pick a GOP challenger to incumbent Gov. Gray Davis. At California Grill on Broadway, Simon sought to draw a distinction between himself and Riordan -- who also stumped in Santa Maria on Jan. 24. "I'm proud to be a Republican, but I don't think Dick (Riordan) is," Simon said. "I think Dick is a Democrat in Republican's clothing." His comment drew cheers from the crowd. Simon promised to promote "a culture of life" if elected. He said he favors laws requiring parental consent for minors to get an abortion. Asked what can be done to promote "alternative lifestyles" in schools, Simon said he would promote conservative values through careful appointments in key state positions. Like Riordan and Davis, Simon talks about accountability when it comes to public school education. His education plank calls for making performance testing mandatory for all schools, without exception. Simon said the performance downturn in California's schools is more the fault of administrators than teachers -- and advocates charter schools as a way to give educators "more of a voice." Opposing bilingual education, Simon said "new Americans need to become assimilated in American culture." That includes mastery of the English language, he argued. Several Santa Marians asked how Simon plans to solve the current $12.4 billion budget deficit. His answer includes over $12 billion in cuts to state programs, leaving state job vacancies open and a job promotion package he claims could create $1.5 billion in tax revenues. While he still thinks privatization of the energy market is "a good idea," Simon said the state should get out of the power business. He blames the energy cost not on deregulation itself, but the law he called flawed that made it a reality in California. To keep the state from another energy crisis, Simon favors encouraging private industry to build more power plants, and peruse options such as solar and wind power. With the specter of the Enron fallout haunting the campaign trail, Simon said he supports president Bush's new plan to allow employees more flexibility to sell their 401k options as a way to avoid similar catastrophic losses in the future. While not "rampant," Simon said practices that brought Enron down are "not isolated" in cooperate America. He said he's withholding judgment as how much more regulation of industry is needed. Simon promised to make agricultural concerns a centerpiece of his administration. "I like to say my first act as governor would be to declare farmers an endangered species," he said, drawing applause from the audience. To keep agribusiness healthy, Simon favors ensuring water is available for farmers through stream storage facilities, promoting conservation and using recovered water sources. Like Riordan, he favors reducing agricultural regulations, and adds plans to cut out "middlemen" in workers compensation claims. * Staff writer Jasmine Marshall can be reached at (805) 739-2219, or by e-mail at jmarshall@pulitzer.net. |
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GOP's Simon brings his campaign to town
By Emanuel Parker
Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - -->ARCADIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon hailed his conservative heritage Tuesday as he rallied campaign workers and supporters before this weekend's state GOP convention.
Simon addressed about 75 people at a small campaign office in Arcadia and afterward joined them for pizza and soft drinks in the parking lot.
Simon vowed not to raise taxes to balance the state budget, to renegotiate the long-term energy contracts signed by Davis and to restore the state's roads, power plants and water sources.
He promised to revitalize school facilities, called for more charter and magnet schools and more local control of education. He said every California student should be able to read by the third grade.
"You've got to start with ideas," Simon said. "You need vision, ideas and specifics; anyone who doesn't have those should not be running for office."
Simon will vie with GOP candidates Richard Riordan, the former Los Angeles mayor, and Bill Jones, California secretary of state, in the March 5 primary to decide who will face Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in the fall.
Simon noted former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed him for governor, even though Giuliani worked with Riordan for years as they led the nation's two largest cities.
"He picked me because of my leadership abilities," Simon said.
Simon said his campaign speech doesn't vary, whether he's speaking to conservatives, liberals or moderates.
"My dad always said if you tell the same story to everybody, you don't have to remember what you told each person," Simon said.
In his introduction of Simon, former state Sen. Richard Mountjoy said only those with high moral standards should seek high office.
"If that happened, you would not need campaign reform. I always look for (high morals) in candidates I endorse, and Bill Simon is that kind of person. He's a man of principle, the Constitution and of God," Mountjoy said.
"He's wonderful," said Betty Flippen of Arcadia, a Simon volunteer. "This is the third time I've seen him and he gets better each time. He's my man, definitely."
Jack Etter of Arcadia liked what he heard.
"I thought it was a great speech and he will make a great candidate," he said.
-- Emanuel Parker can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4475, or by e-mail at emanuel.parker@sgvn.com.
Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - -->ARCADIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon hailed his conservative heritage Tuesday as he rallied campaign workers and supporters before this weekend's state GOP convention.
Simon addressed about 75 people at a small campaign office in Arcadia and afterward joined them for pizza and soft drinks in the parking lot.
Simon vowed not to raise taxes to balance the state budget, to renegotiate the long-term energy contracts signed by Davis and to restore the state's roads, power plants and water sources.
He promised to revitalize school facilities, called for more charter and magnet schools and more local control of education. He said every California student should be able to read by the third grade.
"You've got to start with ideas," Simon said. "You need vision, ideas and specifics; anyone who doesn't have those should not be running for office."
Simon will vie with GOP candidates Richard Riordan, the former Los Angeles mayor, and Bill Jones, California secretary of state, in the March 5 primary to decide who will face Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in the fall.
Simon noted former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed him for governor, even though Giuliani worked with Riordan for years as they led the nation's two largest cities.
"He picked me because of my leadership abilities," Simon said.
Simon said his campaign speech doesn't vary, whether he's speaking to conservatives, liberals or moderates.
"My dad always said if you tell the same story to everybody, you don't have to remember what you told each person," Simon said.
In his introduction of Simon, former state Sen. Richard Mountjoy said only those with high moral standards should seek high office.
"If that happened, you would not need campaign reform. I always look for (high morals) in candidates I endorse, and Bill Simon is that kind of person. He's a man of principle, the Constitution and of God," Mountjoy said.
"He's wonderful," said Betty Flippen of Arcadia, a Simon volunteer. "This is the third time I've seen him and he gets better each time. He's my man, definitely."
Jack Etter of Arcadia liked what he heard.
"I thought it was a great speech and he will make a great candidate," he said.
-- Emanuel Parker can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4475, or by e-mail at emanuel.parker@sgvn.com.
© 1999-2002 MediaNews Group, Inc. and Los Angeles Newspaper Group, Inc.
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Governor hopeful comes to town
He talks with residents about housing, water and state bureaucracy The Tribune San Luis Obispo -- Gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon, crisscrossing the state in search of votes in next month’s GOP primary, fielded questions from area residents Tuesday at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. Applause and welcome signs greeted Simon as his plane landed. He was in Los Angeles a few hours earlier to gather support for his bid as governor of California. Simon, 50, will face off March 5 against former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and Secretary of State Bill Jones. Recent polls show he’s running a close second, trailing Riordan by about five percentage points. Simon faced queries on topics including housing, issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, and his stance on funding for state-mandated programs. His approach was simple: “Reduce the bureaucracy in Sacramento,” and allow local officials to deal with problems. “Local government … is where people understand problems best.” “From my perspective, we need to control borders,” he said, in response to a question about giving illegal immigrants driver’s licenses. “I’ve said that before Sept. 11. Citizens deserve priority.” Simon also pointed out his efforts to reach out to Californians by city-hopping all over the state. Tuesday he was to continue on for a campaign event in Santa Maria. “I’m the only candidate not to raise taxes,” Simon asserted. “I’m the only candidate to come forward with a vision.” With the theme of “Renewing the California dream,” Simon’s focus rests on the state’s budget, education, the energy crisis, roads and water. He wants to make accountability mandatory for all schools to improve the quality of education. On the state’s water issues, he hopes that off-stream facilities and more dams will prevent farmers from suffering the loss of their lands. Those are the same issues that concern San Luis Obispo resident Don Lee, 73. “There’s the worry of losing ag ground,” Lee said, adding that he felt that was something Simon could do for San Luis Obispo. Then there’s Simon’s affable nature. “He’s got no negative baggage,” said 56-year-old Matt Kokkonen. “I believe he’s the man for the job.” Kokkonen first saw Simon at the California Republican Women’s Convention in December, liked his approach and has been a supporter since. “Can’t conservatives reach out as much as liberals?” Simon asked, before continuing, “Liberals have no monopolies on leadership, no monopoly on ideas.” |
Voters need a choice. If you do not give them a choice, they will vote the status quo, which in this case will be Davis. Voters need to know that if they vote for Candidate B over Candidate A, they will get something different. Most voters do not go to the polls to vote AGAINST someone, they go to the polls to vote FOR someone.
Richard Riordan has so many problems I would need at least a dozen forums to outline them all! From being staunchly pro-abortion, to a gun grabber, to raising taxes, to opposing Prop. 22, to supporting gay marriage (whoops, he changed his mind once ... no twice ... no three times! Where does he stand today? What about March 6th?)
What I'm saying is, Riordan is a liberal, no question about it, and Gray Davis will clean his clock.
Bill Simon offers a choice to the voters. More of the same wasteful spending, failing test scores, and closing farms? Or controlled government, better education, and more water?
The choice is easy ... Bill Simon for Governor.
Bump!!!!!
What's neat is that Davis is in such bad shape that this is the best hope the GOP has had in years to elect a solid conservative like Simon in the general - we just have to make sure he wins the primary!!!
Yes, and conservatives tend to be more focused on politics and elections. Everything is showing that NO ONE -- and it's only 27 days until election day -- is focused on the election. It's just not there.
I think Simon can squeak by, and then we can have a real battle between Simon and Davis ... I'm looking forward to THAT battle!
Bill Jones has defeated himself. He should drop out and endorse Simon. He won't, because he's a politician with no place to go, but he should. He has little money and no momentum. He hasn't gained an inch, while Simon has been steadily climbing.
It's IMPERATIVE that we defeat Richard Riordan. Bill Simon can beat Gray Davis and Riordan can NOT. It's as simple as that. Simon can bring together the conservatives AND the moderates. He is one of those rare politicians, like Reagan, who is a conservative through and through, but exudes a warm and sincere personality, and has common sense ideas, that draw in the moderates who may not agree with him 100%.
Go Simon!
Quote of the day - you are soooooo right GOPhack!
I don't see a problem with being pro-choice on abortion. In fact, I think being anti-choice on abortion makes you seem anti-freedom. Now, being pro-life is an okay thing, but being pro-choice is better. Also, pro-choice has to be accompanied with no-government-handouts. I don't want to be paying for an abortion using my tax dollars.
There are more reasons to vote for Simon than can fit on Free Republic!
Fine. Put me down on the pro-abortion side then. But make sure you put down 'cheapskate, not for govt-subsidized abortions'.
I guess that would depend on whose freedom your talking about. It seems to me your idea of freedom extends only to yourself, you care little or nothing about anyone elses freedom(e.g. the unborn)
I suspect that someday you will come to realize that freedom is a concept which can only be realized collectively. What we allow happen to our fellow human beings is likely to happen to us in the course of things.
So, why don't we have government quarrantine all pregnant females so as they do not harm the tiny human being that is growing inside of them? If a woman doesn't want her child, the government should swoop in and prevent her from getting an abortion. In fact, why not have government swoop in and commit the pregnant woman into a hospital and restrain her from harming her child? Force-feed the woman that wants to starve herself to death?
I think that going into the side of all-life-at-all-costs starts us down that slippery slope when our life doesn't belong to us. I agree that pro-life/anti-abortion is the correct moral choice, but it should not be enforced via the threat of government force.
My solution to this is making abortion costs be fully borne by the abortion-getting patient. My solution would also be to making child-rearing costs be fully borne by the child-producing parents.
You must have stayed up all night dreaming up this reply. When was the last time you've seen the government swoop in and restrain anyone intent on breaking the law? As a matter of fact law enforcement is unable to do anything until after the crimminal act has been completed.
"I think that going into the side of all-life-at-all-costs starts us down that slippery slope when our life doesn't belong to us. I agree that pro-life/anti-abortion is the correct moral choice, but it should not be enforced via the threat of government force."
That's a lie, you do not agree pro-life/anti-abortion is the correct moral choice or you would have no choice opposing it on a moral basis, if you had any prinipals at all, unless you are likewise opposed to the government enforcing any and all laws which are essentially based on moral principals(and they all are). Would take the same position on all criminal laws?
"My solution to this is making abortion costs be fully borne by the abortion-getting patient."
Ridiculous, that's like saying its alright to commit any crime so long as you bear the costs by making restitution(in $$).
"My solution would also be to making child-rearing costs be fully borne by the child-producing parents."
I don't know what planet you've been living on but that's exactly what's happening right now. The Uniform Child Protection Act allows the government (district attorneys) to track and collect child support payments from delinquent parents across state lines and to levy on their assets, lift their business licenses etc...Not to mention the IRS's role in enforcing it.
Nope. Thought of the reply when I clicked on Self-Search and saw your reply. When was the last time you had to be subject to a background check before being 'permitted' to buy a firearm? Isn't that 'restraint' on the 2A protected right? Gun buyers are treated like would-be criminals just for buying a gun.
That's a lie, you do not agree pro-life/anti-abortion is the correct moral choice or you would have no choice opposing it on a moral basis, if you had any prinipals at all, unless you are likewise opposed to the government enforcing any and all laws which are essentially based on moral principals(and they all are). Would take the same position on all criminal laws?
The equitable solution would be either give the pregnant woman the opportunity to exercise her freedom, and for the opposing people to either pay her to have her baby, or let her have the abortion in peace. In making her have the baby, you are taking away her freedom to do with her life as she pleases, and note that in her doing so does not diminish one whit your freedoms as well.
As far as government and laws being based on moral principles, tell that to the widow of Donald Scott
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