Simon catapults over Riordan in poll ... Stunning rebound for businessman

S.F. Chronicle ^ | February 27, 2002 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[A CA Guy]

I am going to vote for Simon in our primarys. If he is strong enough to win that, he has a good chance in the actual election.

I do think if Riordan was against Davis he would be a lock to win. But what would be the results of that? Davis-light?

I hope Simon wins and as Govenor challenges the prop 187 judicial ruling that Davis never defended and let die in court! That was a historic move by a Govener what Davis did in regard to 187.

[ElkGroveDan]

Liberals have been quite successful in California in playing to these

Liberal Republicans sure haven't. Liberals have been defeated far more soundly than conservatives have in recent years. For your theory to be true, Seymour, Huffington, Fong and Campbell would have come close or actually won. The truth is that they took a severe beating.

[NormsRevenge]

I reckun GraYout will have to hit the campaign gathering circuit a little harder ... Not that he ever stops raising money, mind U !!

Riordan set the stage, and Simon gets the spotlight .. I like it !

[Gophack]

Conservatives energize the base, and bring people like me--and people like Bill Simon--to the polls. And no conservative in recent memory has the incandescent attractiveness that Bill Simon brings us.

Big Simon Bump!

[dalereed]

The support for Simon from FreeRepublic I believe has a lot to do with his surge in general support.

FR has become big enough that it is making a difference, just think what influence we could have if we grew to a million or more!

[dalereed]

A similar article on the Field Poll was the lead story on the front page of the San Diego Union Tribune with over a million readers.

Simon passes slumping Riordan in GOP race, poll finds

[Antoninus]

I want the Republican Party to prevail in November's elections as much as anyone here does.

Maybe I wasn't as clear as a could have been. I could care less how the Republican Party does in November in California if a RINO is the candidate. Won't matter a hill of beans. I'll only care if a bona-fide conservative is running as the Republican nominee. After the Jim Jeffords & Shays/Meehan/Feingold/McLame outrages, I have lost any tolerance I may have had for 'moderate' Republicans. To my mind, they are as worthy of defeat as any Democrat.

[GeronL]

I think that news of Simon's lead over Riordan is not good for the California Republican Party. That is, I agree (for the first time on anything) with Gray Davis that Davis's real threat to re-election comes from Riordan, not Simon.

How is a loud mouth politician who does not appeal to the GOP base supposed to win?

If it comes down to Davis and RearEnd many Republicans will stay home and some will vote for Davis so RearEnd won't embarrass the party.

RearEnd had NO chance to beat Davis. People do not show up ANYWAY and vote RINO, 'just cuz'. Bush had a reputation as a moderate and 4 million 'christian conservatives' stayed home. I voted for Keyes in the primary and I'm a Texan.

RearEnd would have embarrassed the party (already has) so much they'd rather keep Davis. RearEnd does more damage to the GOP in office than out of it. People are sick of voting for RINO's and getting burned.

[Deport Billary]

A conservative heading California would be the most awesome event since Ronaldus Maximus took the throne.

[glennaro]

Thank you for clarifying your position, Antoninus. I understand and respect your intolerance toward "moderate" Republicans, although I hope your position is not so inflexible that you would sit out the general election and by so doing support the liberal candidate. As much as you may disagree with some of Riordan's positions on issues important to conservatives, there is a profound difference between he and Davis.

It appears we disagree primarily on what constitutes "victory" in November, my friend.

[glennaro]

I disagree, respectfully, with several of your points:

1. You question how a politician who does not appeal to the GOP base is supposed to win. While Riordan may not appeal to the GOP's conservative base, he does appeal to many more Republicans as well as to independents and moderate Democrats who are, like us, fed up with Davis's performance.

2. You say that Riordan had(?) no chance to beat Davis. If you mean that he has no chance to beat Davis in November, then I could not disagree more. If Riordan wins the primary, he'll crush Davis in the general election. Davis will have a much easier time against Simon because Simon's presence in the general election will energize the Left.

3. I hope that upon reflection you will see that, despite Riordan's moderate position on several issues important to conservative voters, there is a profound difference in political philosophy and administrative performance between he and Davis.

Please take note that you are allowing your emotions to control the presentation of your thoughts. You may dislike Riordan for his positions and his demeanor and would prefer that Simon represent California's other major party in November, but by resorting to name-calling you are adopting the tactic of those whom you despise, that is, liberal politicians.

[Antoninus]

Thank you for clarifying your position, Antoninus. I understand and respect your intolerance toward "moderate" Republicans, although I hope your position is not so inflexible that you would sit out the general election and by so doing support the liberal candidate. As much as you may disagree with some of Riordan's positions on issues important to conservatives, there is a profound difference between he and Davis.

Yes, I am intolerant of socialists masquerading as republicans. And no, I wouldn't sit out a general election which featured a liberal Democrat versus a liberal Republican. I'd find the most conservaitve third party candidate I could and vote for that person.

Electing liberal democrats does more harm than good.

It appears we disagree primarily on what constitutes "victory" in November, my friend.

The election of a liberal from either party is de facto, a defeat for republicanism (small 'r').

[Antoninus]

Electing liberal democrats does more harm than good.

That should read "electing liberal Republicans does more harm than good."