Down and dirty in California

Washington Times ^ | 2/26/02 | Wesley Pruden

[kattracks]

LOS ANGELES.

Richard Riordan is about to discover what a lot of Republicans discovered before him. In politics, the high road can lead to oblivion.

He may have discovered it already, and just in time. His commanding lead in the public-opinion polls, leading to the March 5 gubernatorial primaries, has shrunk dramatically in the face of a television blitz not only by his Republican rival, but by the incumbent Democratic governor, Gray Davis, who has no primary opponent.

[heleny]

Mr. Simon, with easy access to his father's old friends and campaign contributors in the East, has more than twice the campaign cash on hand heading into the final fortnight.

There's exactly one week remaining, not a fortnight, until the March 5 primary.

[Gophack]

Simon Ping

[Gophack]

You know, it's typical of the press. Simon hasn't run a dirty campaign. He has simply ... and politely ... pointed out why Riordan doesn't match Republican voters. It was Riordan who attacked Simon using half-truths ... such as Simon being part of an S&L scandal when, in fact, it was Simon's deceased father. THAT's dirty politics.

[BibChr]

...why he was registered as an independent when he lived in New York two decades ago. Actually, his explanation was not so much an explanation as a brushoff: "I've been a proud Republican for many years and that's all I'm going to say about that."

Huh? Not a good answer.

Dan

[hattend]

George W. may need California in '04 if post-September 11 grit, anger and determination subside.

Well, GW won last time without California. If it means a left turn to save his incumbency then he's going to lose.

If he stays the course he should have no problem, especially when it's Gephardt, Clinton, Gore, or little Tommy Daschle running against him.