Cracks Inside Simon's Camp (California Gov. race controversy)

The Sacramento Bee ^ | November 7, 2002 | Jamie Fisfis

[Saundra Duffy]

Bill Simon's political team inadvertently accomplished what no one thought possible just two years ago: They ran a campaign against Democrat Gov. Gray Davis without mentioning the energy crisis.

Team Simon tried to run the Republican candidate for governor as an ethical standard-bearer in moderate California. The strategy wasted four years of work by Republicans in the Legislature, who hammered Davis on energy missteps and then heroically sustained a budget debate until September even as it was obvious that Team Simon was doing nothing to take advantage of their efforts. Instead, the Simon campaign defied the wisdom of all its polling, its extensive focus groups and even recent California political history. It entered the ethics minefield.

[Saundra Duffy]

No comment.

[Saundra Duffy]

If this thread dies, I don't give a damn.

[Dems_R_Losers]

This is fantastic and should be required reading for all Republicans, no matter how painful it is. With extreme respect to all the wonderful California FReepers, the strategy of running against the "pay-for-play" of Davis was doomed to failure. The "EGray Hooker" was great street theater, but that stuff just does not matter to the average Jane. Most casual voters believe that any candidate will promise the moon to get campaign cash.

What happened to the "Blackouts 2001/Gray Out 2002" theme? This should have been hammered into the ground. The energy crisis should not have been survivable by Davis at all.

Bob Ehrlich won in Maryland, a more Democratic state than California, largely by hammering on a measly $1 billion deficit run up by the Democrat administration. He talked about corruption in Annapolis, but did not make it the centerpiece of his campaign. California has a $27 BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT! The Cato Institute put out a study that gave California an "F" on fiscal management. It was heavily touted in the Wall Street Journal. Yet to my knowledge this was NEVER mentioned in a Simon speech, press release, or ad. That is inexcusable.

Simon had all the ammo he needed to run a devastating campaign to Fire Gray Davis - not because he raised too much money, but because he is incompetent and has utterly failed to do the job he was hired to do. As a businessman, this type of campaign from Simon would have resonated with voters, and would have enabled Simon to survive the fraud verdict.

[Thud]

ping

[gubamyster]

since top Simon staff bragged about the COPS photo as a silver bullet as early as June. Despite this lead time,

If they truly had this photo since June & were planning all along to reveal it at the most critical point in the campaign hoping for a big, quick score, and they didn’t check out the validity of the claim during this time, then they really are idiots – big time.

The conflict Simon had about negatively campaigning against Davis, raises two points to me:

1. He may be a novice, but from the focus group results, his political instincts regarding hammering on the energy, education and the economy were spot on. As a matter of fact Simon spoke about these topics every chance he had on the radio, & elsewhere, the print media (particularly the LA Times) chose never to print it.

2. He truly is a nice & decent guy who really is out for the CA people. He was not just in it for the power or to trash talk Davis (however easy this may be) but an honorable man out to improve the lives of the people of CA. I guess this goes along with his prive life of philanthropy.

The people of CA were the real losers - not just because we will have 4 more years of Davis, but because we willnot be lead by Bill Simon.

[Saundra Duffy]

California has a $27 BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT!

That issue alone would have been the winner. But don't be too hard on the eGray hookers; the point there is well taken, too. Pay to play governor. Well, whoever runs next time will have an easy sell. For victory & freedom!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

The people of CA were the real losers - not just because we will have 4 more years of Davis, but because we willnot be lead by Bill Simon.

True. I wanted to say something. Whoever was responsible for photogate should have been FIRED ON THE SPOT and I mean it. No excuse!

[gubamyster]

prive = private

[gubamyster]

willnot = will not

be lead = be led

Sorry, I'll take typing lessons.

[Saundra Duffy]

Simon had all the ammo he needed to run a devastating campaign to Fire Gray Davis

Well, I guess I'm going to admit it - If Simon couldn't control his own campaign, maybe he . . . No, I can't say it.

[habs4ever]

Is this another Ed Rollins fiasco? The guy that has coasted on Reagan's 1984 campaign as his calling card?

[habs4ever]

Simon must have listened to much to the "pros" who ran his campaign and not enough to his own instincts.Maybe that is all too common for a novice.In other words, Ed Rollins.The genius behind the Michael Huffington run, as well.

[daviddennis]

Interesting article; thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I happen to agree with it. I know that I supported Simon not because of Davis' ethical lapses, but because Davis had done a lousy job with basic issues such as handling the power crisis and budget. I was confident, and still am, that Bill Simon would have been a far more effective leader in these situations.

Why do you think Bill was not more forceful in defying his second crop of advisors? I really loved the first crop with their "Maids" ad and the like.

D

[evolved_rage]

Does anybody think with the implosion of RATS, Daschle and Gephardt, the cowardice of Hitlery, and the fundraising skills of Dufus, that Dufus is the front-running candidate for pres in '04??? He's nothing if not ambitious. And I'm sure he's thinking "I survived the Republican onslaught of '02, it must be a sign".

[daviddennis]

I realize this is my second consecutive reply to this thread, but I'd like to say that in my view Bill Simon is a natural politician who really should try running again. I instinctively like the guy, and I think he deserves another chance, despite his problems with his advisors.

I'm sure he will choose better ones next time. In the mean time, I do think he's acquired a large base of fans, including myself, who will be more than happy to go to bat for him next time.

D

[Saundra Duffy]

Is this another Ed Rollins fiasco?

Yes.

[Saundra Duffy]

Why do you think Bill was not more forceful in defying his second crop of advisors?

No clue, but I think Bill Simon should have FIRED whoever was responsible for photogate. That's for sure.

[BornOnTheFourth]

A too busy working to pay the damn taxes the enlightened voters decided that I need to pay for their afterschool programs, etc. BUMP and will read this later.

[Saundra Duffy]

I'm sure "Gay" Davis is running for President but he's dreaming. He's finished. Simon won in 40 of our 58 counties. Everyone knows Davis is corrupt and inept. He'll prove it to the whole world in these next four years. Should be interesting.

[Saundra Duffy]

In the mean time, I do think he's acquired a large base of fans, including myself, who will be more than happy to go to bat for him next time.

I'm still a fan but . . . well, let's just leave it at that for now.