To Norm: I agree but overcomming even a small negative perception is difficult if you don't start and going negative late in the game doesn't make your candidacy any less palitable. And don't count on the debates. Simon is only a slightly less boring public speaker than Davis.
To goldstategop: You got it. While there are many conservatives in California wanting to be led and be heard the traditional Republican party leadership is terrible.
To daviddennis: Yes the best policy when an opponent is devastating himself is to get out of the way but an alternative must be establish to prevent chaos.