First, Simon won the primary because he had a solid conservative message and delivered it to the people. He didn't jump in early as everyone said he *HAD* to do, instead he quietly set up a solid campaign team and prepared for victory. When Riordan started making mistakes (talking about his so-called beliefs), Republicans needed somewhere to go: Simon was the only game in town. Jones couldn't raise any money, had no grassroots network, and while claiming to be a conservative, he was so shy about his views for fear of offending anyone.
If Simon had won by 2 or 3 points, I would say that Gray Davis was instrumental in Riordan's defeat simply because he hounded him so hard. Davis was never TRYING to make Riordan lose; he was trying to weaken him so he would have no traction on March 6th. As it turned out, Simon won by 19 points in a landslide, and that was NOT because of Gray Davis! It was because Simon's team set the candidate up as the alternative to liberal Riordan.
Now, everyone is harping on Simon "not attacking Gray Davis." Excuse me, but I'm on the Simon campaign email list and receive their attacks on Gray Davis, which are constant and accurate. Simon has outflanked Davis on key issues like veterans, the national guard, and the environment. While we can't sit around and blame the liberal media for not reporting on Simon, Simon IS in fact working the grassroots, spreading his message and, like in the primary, SETTING HIMSELF UP FOR VICTORY. Go to his webpage, read his statements, sign up for his updates.
Outside of political hacks like us on FR and the media, NO ONE is paying attention to the campaign. Simon is going to have to go directly to the people because the media isn't going to do it for us, but it would be STUPID and a WASTE of money to go up on television or radio or in the mail now. PEOPLE ARE NOT FOCUSED ON THE CAMPAIGN.
If Davis' numbers started to increase, or his disapproval rating suddenly fall, then I might re-think my position, but as it is, people don't like him and when they start to focus on the election, they will start looking for someone else.
THAT'S when Simon should be up on the media: to offer that alternative.
This article was written by someone who personally dislikes Bill Simon and wants to tear him down. Every campaign has problems, and I'm sure there are some in the Simon operation. But they are no where as bad as this article makes out. We have three and a half months until the election with little public interest yet, and this idiot (whoever wrote it) is already declaring Simon the loser.
I'm sorry. I disagree. Any problems with the Simon campaign are fixable, and Gray Davis has more problems than Simon. First and foremost: NO ONE LIKES HIM OR TRUSTS HIM. As far as the people are concern, on Simon the jury is still out.
At least they billed this drivel as an editorial.
The one thing that is not "fixable" is the candidate himself. He's going down Gophack, get used to it. Buy him a drink at the bar on election night. I warned you guys, but you simply didn't listen. Cheers.