I respectfully disagree. Riordan would lose to Davis. He's been on the opposite side of every major issue and has no core philosophy. Voters won't vote for someone they can't trust ... and changing your positions as often as Riordan is a death nail ... conservatives will stay home. For all of Riordan's talk of being "inclusive", he sure doesn't mean that for conservatives! He lost 30% of his electorate. With the conservative base, no Republican can win. Wilson won because he didn't alienate the conservative base until AFTER he was elected.
Jones MIGHT be able to beat Davis simply because Jones doesn't have a lot of political problems except for his vote for the largest tax increase in California history AND his switch from Bush to McCain. I think that latter would be forgiveable to the electorate who really doesn't care; the tax increase is a little harder to get away from. The major problem with Jones is that he can't raise money. He never has been able to raise money, even when he was the Assembly Republican Leader during the 1992 elections and we lost 3 seats.
Simon has the best chance of beating Davis. He has no problem raising money, has money of his own if there is a problem, has broad-based support (moderate Giuliani to conservative Herschensohn) and offers a CLEAR difference to Gray Davis. Voters need a clear contrast if we ask them to vote against the status quo. Simon is conservative on all the issues, but also appeals across the board becauase of his warm manner, compassionate ideas, and fiscal discipline. It will be hard for Davis to tie the extremist albatross around Simon's neck ... the same Bill Simon who gives millions to homeless kids, underprivledged children, and after-school programs.
I see absolutely no advantage to having Riordan as governor.