ASHINGTON, April 10 — Just a month ago, energetic White House political operatives were helping Richard J. Riordan, the former mayor of Los Angeles, as their handpicked candidate in the California Republican primary for governor.Posted on 04/10/2002 11:29:16 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
ASHINGTON, April 10 — Just a month ago, energetic White House political operatives were helping Richard J. Riordan, the former mayor of Los Angeles, as their handpicked candidate in the California Republican primary for governor.
But today, in one of the speedier reworkings of political history, President Bush embraced the political neophyte who defeated Mr. Riordan, Bill Simon Jr. Mr. Simon was welcomed into the Oval Office as the hero the White House never meant to happen.
"I am glad to be running for the office of governor together with the help of President Bush, Vice President Cheney and indeed their entire administration," Mr. Simon told a cluster of reporters in the White House driveway immediately after his Oval Office reception. "They have pledged to come out to California and campaign with me."
Shortly after that, Mr. Simon's campaign and Bush political officials suddenly asserted that the White House had actually not helped Mr. Riordan that much after all.
"They kind of liked Dick, but they really stayed out of this thing," said Sal Russo, Mr. Simon's chief strategist.
A White House political official who had a careful eye on Mr. Simon and the goings-on in the driveway, said much the same thing about Mr. Riordan. "We encouraged him to run, we encouraged a bunch of people to run, but we never endorsed him," the official said. "And we made clear if he was going to run, he was going to win it on his own."
Mr. Simon's victory jolted White House officials, who considered Mr. Riordan, a social moderate, far more appealing to independents, women and Hispanic voters. Mr. Simon is far more conservative.
Mr. Simon, 50, will now face Gov. Gray Davis.
Republicans are not overly optimistic about Mr. Simon's chances, but the White House is committed to putting an effort into the governor's race in the most-populous state.
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A White House political official... said much the same thing about Mr. Riordan. "We encouraged him to run, we encouraged a bunch of people to run, but we never endorsed him," the official said.
Oh so that's why Rove shoved Gerry Parsky down the CRP's throat? What a crock. Anybody know if that anonymous mysterious, Mr. Policial Offal is our Roving Perp-porter? And he didn't even have the guts to be quoted?
"And we made clear if he was going to run, he was going to win it on his own."
Yeah, after the base went to Simon and it was clear how badly Rove screwed up by putting up Dikkiepoo in the first place. So then they let Brooks and Gerry run it so that they could pretend objectivity? BS. They wanted to be able to blame the base for they stupidly believe will be a Simon defeat. Parsky hates Simon's dad, Rove knows it, knows that Gerry is still badmouthing what may be the last chance any conservative Republican has of recovering the governorship of this state, and isn't doing anything about it. Rove doesn't care because Simon doesn't fit his RINO strategy. Then when Simon looks good in the polls anyway Russo and Rove have agreed to alter history? What a mess!
This pack of fat egoes cares more about being right than they do about winning.
Huh? Hello??!!! Who are you people?? Simon kicked butt in the primary and is now leading Davis!!!
The line the 'New York Slimes' got right. Thanks, JohnHuang2.
Simon KICKED BUTT in the primary and has a strategy for winning the campaign that focuses on Davis' failures. The failed leadership and policies of Davis is what will drive this election, not whether or not women have the right to kill their unborn children.
The media is scared. Davis is scared. We need to mobilize our forces and get out and support 110% Bill Simon. We can win if we focus, fight and never say die.
Go Simon!
And remember? Everyone in the Hollywood elite were shocked that Reagan won in 1980 ... after all, they didn't know anyone who voted for him!
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