Gray Matter

The American Prowler ^ | 6/18/02 | Gray Matter

[nickcarraway]

Gray Matter

By Gray Matter

Published 6/18/02 12:02:00 AM

A few months back, the California Political Review reported that an unnamed Sacramento Democratic consultant had admitted to Gray Davis's anemic appeal within his own party. The consultant said Democrat leaders underestimate "how much people dislike Gray Davis." He noted that "no Democrat constituency group -- African-Americans, labor, women, Hispanics, enviros --" was giving Davis "an approval rating exceeding 50 percent."

"I don't see how he gets there," California Political Review quoted the veteran political strategist saying about Davis's re-election chances. Democratic consultants are no less worried today, as several recent articles containing quotes from unnamed Democratic consultants reveal.

"I think the campaign has given up on getting people to like Gray," a "prominent Democratic strategist" told the Contra Costa Times this week.

"Private polling appears to confirm the governor's misfortunes," reported the Contra Costa Times. "Sal Russo, the chief strategist for (Bill) Simon, said three recently conducted private polls indicate Simon is leading by anywhere from 1 percentage point to 9 percentage points."

The Contra Costa Times reported that the Davis campaign "disputed those numbers," saying "internal campaign polling shows Davis with a single-digit lead." But this is hardly a reassuring rebuttal for Davis supporters. Moreover, Davis's attack ad against Simon last week was a tacit admission that his poll numbers are poor.

Last week, San Francisco Chronicle columnists Philip Matier and Andrew Ross quoted a Democratic consultant who said "Simon could win this." The consultant said that the "real problem is that Davis has turned off even fellow Democrats, who should be his natural base."

All the polls, wrote Matier and Ross, show that "Davis is in a world of trouble with voters." The columnists cite one poll which "showed a whopping 50 percent giving Davis an ‘unfavorable' job performance rating." They then quote a Democrat who says "that's usually considered terminal," and a Democratic consultant who reports, "I've seen other polls that show an even lower performance rating."

Simon, meanwhile, isn't cooperating with Davis's repeated attempts to demonize him as a conservative extremist. On the issue of offshore oil drilling, Simon has managed to beat past Davis on the left. Simon noted that he is staunchly opposed to offshore oil drilling, whereas Davis has permitted the number of drilling leases to increase during his first term. Simon is also pushing a $1 billion park bond measure.

Transparent triangulation? Sure. But with Simon staking out such positions on the left, Davis knows that he will look like a fool if he continues to act as if he is running against Le Pen. So he has shifted to Strategy B: discredit Simon personally. Hence his first attack ad addressed not Simon's supposed conservatism, but his business dealings.

The Davis people have been fishing around for some time. But the best they could come up with is a Simon family S&L problem, which even liberal media outlets found uncompelling. Sacramento Bee political editor Amy Chance, for example, said the attack ad "oversimplifies" the issue.

The ad reflected not so much Davis's worries about Simon's mismanagement as his own. He has saddled Californians with a $24 billion deficit, yet somehow has to find a way to run on his "record." This will require more finesse than his cloddish personality permits him. A polished liar, with endearing human qualities, could probably get away with it, especially against a low-key opponent. But Davis is seen as a soulless dork without even the compensating virtues of frugality and efficiency.

The Los Angeles Times ran an article last Saturday saying that Simon "faces pressure to follow Davis' lead and go on attack." But why bother? Simon may figure. If what Democratic consultants are whispering to reporters is true, why waste punches on an opponent who is defeating himself?

George Neumayr is a frequent contributor to the California Political Review and The American Prowler.

[JmyBryan]

There is hope for America!

[nickcarraway]

ping

[Political Junkie Too]

"I don't see how he gets there," California Political Review quoted the veteran political strategist saying about Davis's re-election chances.

Try fraud.

-PJ

[Pietro]

I rememberrading the same dire predictions because hillary's negatives were so high. problem was she got upwards of 70% of the vote in NYC (an NYC w/ a Rep. Mayor!).

Voter fraud? Sure. Does it matter now? No.

[NormsRevenge]

"I think the campaign has given up on getting people to like Gray," a "prominent Democratic strategist" told the Contra Costa Times this week.

The ad reflected not so much Davis's worries about Simon's mismanagement as his own. He has saddled Californians with a $24 billion deficit, yet somehow has to find a way to run on his "record." This will require more finesse than his cloddish personality permits him. A polished liar, with endearing human qualities, could probably get away with it, especially against a low-key opponent. But Davis is seen as a soulless dork without even the compensating virtues of frugality and efficiency.

The Los Angeles Times ran an article last Saturday saying that Simon "faces pressure to follow Davis' lead and go on attack." But why bother? Simon may figure. If what Democratic consultants are whispering to reporters is true, why waste punches on an opponent who is defeating himself?

Come on George. What do ya really think about GraYouT's chances?
DUMP DAVI$ & the Den of Socialists



GO SIMON

[daviddennis]

A lot of Democrats are going to stay home from the polls this year. I've said that before, and this story appears to confirm it.

As long as we stay united behind Simon, I think the election's ours to lose. Not that we should be complacent, of course, but I feel really good about our chances.

D

[ElkGroveDan]

ping

[Grampa Dave]

One of my constant questions about Davis for decades, has been what is there to like about this creature?

Take away the money than he and the Rat infested legislature can give to their dark side voting cults, and there is nothing that people can like about Davis.

When the reality of the massive and growing everyday Budget deficit hits the pockets of these dark side voting cult members, they will have nothing to like Davis about.

Will they vote for Simon, never! However, if they stay home and don't vote, that will be good for us.

Watch and see more groups pulling away from Davis as his voting buying power disappears with the budget deficit. They know that 4 more years of Davis will be a financial disaster for them.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Where does Davis get his kick?( what motivates these professional politicians?)

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[eureka!]

While we're on the subject of dislike for a certain gubernatorial candidate, take a look at this article..

[eureka!]

Oops, you already saw it. *sorry*

[BibChr]

We keep seeing great articles about how awful Davis is, how much trouble he's in, how nobody likes him... and that's all great.

But until we start seeing articles about how GREAT Simon is, how WELL he's doing, how MUCH he's accomplished, how EVERYBODY likes him, I won't start chilling the Martinelli's. Know what I mean?

Dan

[Gophack]

Yes, I know what you mean. We need to be patient. Still, no matter how good Bill Simon is, you won't see the press writing about it. He could save a baby from a burning building, and he wouldn't get a good story.

[NormsRevenge]

There's that word "patient" again,, or the cries Simon isn't doing enough,, He should be on the attack more,, :-|

.. In good time Folks,, In good time ..We gots to build a foundation first.. and replace a few old bricks ..like Parsky ..

Come October, Both saDDam and GraYouT will be deep in bunkers.. IMHO

GO SIMON

[Grampa Dave]

Dan brought up this great observation: But until we start seeing articles about how GREAT Simon is, how WELL he's doing, how MUCH he's accomplished, how EVERYBODY likes him, I won't start chilling the Martinelli's. Know what I mean?

Dan, also in most of these so called hit articles on Davis, they really use their liberal agendas to trash or minimize Simon.

When Dan sees articles praising Simon, and I see the editors and publisher asking for Davis's head, we won't get too excited. Dan will hold the cider, and I will hold up on opening the good Napa Merlot!

[Liz]

......why (should Simon) waste punches on an opponent who is defeating himself? .......

I said it before, now I'll say it again:

When your opponent is efficiently and effectively committing
political suicide, it's considered bad form to lend him a hand.

[Grampa Dave]

It is considered very bad form to loan him a stool to stand on and new rope with a hangman's noose. So you stand back in the shade, order some popcorn and beer and watch his self destruction.

[d14truth]

"No Assembly Required"

For all the 'productive' work done, we Californians could probably get along without the Senate in Sacramento, too!