George F. Will: Political earthquake in California? GOP underdog could win governorship

The Union Leader (N. H.) ^ | Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 | George F. Will

[heleny]

LAST SATURDAY morning, after another pratfall in a star-crossed, accident-prone and banana-peel-strewn campaign, a nevertheless ebullient Bill Simon, Republican candidate for governor in a state (California) that has not voted for a Republican Presidential or senatorial candidate since 1988 or for a Republican gubernatorial candidate since 1994, said: “We’re close.” Noting the incredulity of his interlocutor, he added: “I swear.”

[heleny]

The most recent polls were private, and they showed Simon within 5% of Davis. Go to the CalGov2002 list (see Ernest_at_the_Beach's banner) for some news of them, sometimes buried in posts to the threads. The gap is shrinking, and Davis knows -- that's why he's going to campaign all over CA starting this weekend and bringing in lieberman and bill clinton to help. condit just doesn't draw enough votes for davis anymore, and his numbers are just too shaky for his comfort. His positive ads are to shore up his own "base," since even most democrats are dissatisfied with him and because the polls showed that his multimillion-dollar negative ads were a waste of money. If he had a record on which to run, he would happily debate Simon or Camejo or anyone; but the truth is that he has failed us.

We had two blackouts last month, and the CA ISO routinely has avoided declaring energy "emergencies" recently when the reserves dropped below certain levels, so we have no warning that there might be an outage except to listen to the weatherman or to look at the thermometer. We won't easily forget the energy crisis or the additional 20-year debt to pay for last year's energy.

People here hate gray Davis, and Bill Simon is the logical choice to restore hope in CA. I met Mr. Simon last weekend, and I know he's the best candidate for CA governor in a long time. Fire Davis!

[heleny]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I hope the elections in WV go well, too!

[ElkGroveDan]

OK on November 6th I want to see your post titled

"GRAY DAVIS: He's dead Jim!"

[Intimidator]

With a bit less than 3 weeks to go, it is crucial that every one of us get on the phones, plant signs, pass out literature, volunteer to watch polls, give money...whatever you can do, do it now...there is no tomorrow, if you really want to take this great country back from the corrupt and destructive Democrats

Thats important but the crucial thing is to get off your butts and vote on election day.

[Joe Brower]

I don't have "DAVIS" made up using the "Glory" alphabet, but the whole set of letters, numbers and special characters can be found on Iconbazaar.com.

[ElkGroveDan]

STATEWIDE PING

[Mudboy Slim]

"I'm surprized that they can list all of his bad points for such a meager sum."

Why don't you educate the thread fer free?!

MUD

[skeeter]

What about the other current thread that has Davis stopping the negative ads as he is so comfortable with his lead. And rightfully so.

Don't you find it odd that any candidate would change tactics three weeks before an election if such tactics have proven to be successful?

Do you really think Davis, now assured of victory, is concerned that Californians might not 'like' him much, as the article you reference suggests? Don't you think he'd rather save the money?

[MeekOneGOP]

I don't have "DAVIS" made up using the "Glory" alphabet, but the whole set of letters, numbers and special characters can be found on Iconbazaar.com.

Thank you sir !! I'll check it out and fix it up.

I'm running behind today. I'll have it fixed up manana, Grampa !.....

[homeschool mama]

Thank you for the ping, Dan. :o)

I hope and pray Simon will be our next Governor.

[Grampa Dave]

Thank you and looking forward to seeing it.

[TwoStep]

**Bump**

[PRND21]

Bump

[wayne_shrugged]

Electing Bill Simon would be the first step back from the socialist hell the Democrats have been dragging the great State of California down into.

Now, steps 2 & 3 would be seeing the door hit the broad backsides of our two Communist California senators, FeinSwine and Boxturd.

[fabian]

Thanks for the ping , I think Simon is going to win. I'm sure alot of voters are wondering why if Davis is confident in his "leadership", he refuses to debate Simon in prime-time.

[NormsRevenge]

High Desert Davi$ FReePer ALERT

Governor Gray Davis and UFW Rally

Palm Springs, CA on SUNDAY Oct. 20th @ Noon

Everyone able to attend is encouraged to arrive at 12 pm. The UFW Rally Starts at 1 pm.

Bring signs, banners, whatever! Be creative. FOR SALE signs are HOT!!!

Make GraYouT Davi$ Feel the Heat!!!

Location: Coachella Valley High School

83-800 Airport Blvd

Coachella [Thermal], CA


DUMP DAVI$ - FIRE Davi$

FRICASSEE DAVI$ the Debate Chicken!!!




GO SIMON

***

Tom McClintock for CA State Controller
***

Dick Ackerman for CA Attorney General

[capitan_refugio]

Get off your butts and vote!

Truer words were never spoken. I am doing what I have done every two years for last eight years - waking the precincts. Six years ago I had the whole family out on bicycles, the youngest in the child seat behind me, delivering campaign literature door to door. Wow, did we get a lot of odd looks, but also many, many "thank you's", and lots of people honking and waving as they drove by.

It's the old fashioned way of doing it but it works. I prefer it to the boiler room phone banks - although they have their utility too. I like to kids seeing their parents involved in the community and believing in something enough to go out and donate time and effort.

My great hope at this point in the campaign is that we can get it to within 4%. At that point it becomes a "turnout election." Whoever does the best in getting out the vote, wins"

P.S. We don't bother dropping off literature to the Dumbocrats, Greens, or Peace & Freedom addresses - waste of time - they are already too close-minded.

[capitan_refugio]

Freudian slip ;^)

I am WALKING the precincts, which might be WAKING them too!

[bonesmccoy]

November 6 I will write: Jim! Have you ever seen the likes?

[MeekOneGOP]

Here ya go, Grampa !!