Simon's gain in polls makes him a GOP target

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Tuesday, February 26, 2002 | Carla Marinucci, John Wildermuth

[nickcarraway]

Sacramento -- Bill Simon, the political neophyte in the GOP governor's primary, found himself yesterday taking the political heat that comes with being near the front of the pack.

A new poll shows him in a dead heat with former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who was the front-runner even before he announced he was in the race last year.

[Gophack]

Obviously, both Riordan and Jones now realize that they should never have underestimated Simon.

Bill Simon IS our best hope for beating Gray Davis.

Riordan: has flip-flopped on every major issue and is more liberal than Gray Davis. 70% or more of the Democrat voters will never vote Republican ever, though they may stay home. Riordan alienated his Republican base, and he just can't win by competing for some independents and a handful of Democrats. He is a travesty.

Jones can't raise the money, has never been a movement conservative, and while he is a "moderate", he looks and acts like a mean, hard-edged conservative that will be easy to villify -- he never smiled in the debates! People want someone they can related to. In addition, he voted for the largest tax increase in California history.

Bill Simon offers a clear contrast to Gray Davis; he is smart and conservative. He is warm and has a history of philanthropy. A true "compassionate conservative" who is a devout Christian and is in the race for all the right reasons.

Bill Simon can mobilize the conservative grassroots, whereas neither Riordan nor Jones can. Simon has already started, as evident from his support amoung the great patriots here on FR, and in the trenches. I have met many people who tell me they are voting for Bill Simon and I'm sort of surprised -- because I didn't think people were really paying attention. But I was wearing a Bill Simon hat over the weekend and three people told me they were voting for him.

We need someone, a leader, who can rally the troops and lead not only the state, but our party. Bill Simon is that leader.

Go Simon!

[Gophack]

Simon Ping!

[d14truth]

"...the candidate fielded repeated questions from reporters about his voting record, lack of political experience and GOP credentials."

Hillary had none of those and she won. {;~)

[Gophack]

Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush are two other good examples of politicial neophytes prior to election. :-)

Go Simon!

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

With you all the way.

[Grut]

"He calls himself a proud Republican -- even though he was registered as an independent in New York," the ad says.

The obvious comeback is: "That's because New York Republicans are Democrats... which would never occur to Mr. Riordan because he doesn't understand there are supposed to be differences."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Go Simon!

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