'A Free for All' in California? (Fox Interview w Richard Riordan)

FoxNews ^ | June 17, 2003 | Tony Snow & Richard Riordan

[FairOpinion]

This is a partial transcript of Special Report with Brit Hume, June 13, that has been edited for clarity. Click here to order the complete transcript.

TONY SNOW, GUEST HOST: California Governor Gray Davis (search) may be more endangered than the Golden State's condor population. His approval rating is at an all time low.

[FairOpinion]

A couple of interesting things I didn't know before: looks like Riordan is not planning to run, is backing Schwarzenegger and that Sch has a graduate business degree fro U of Wisconsin.

Also, apparently Republicans may try to get together.

If it comes to choosing between Issa and Schwarzenegger, I am going to have a hard time, because my main criteria is which Republican has the best shot, and that's the one I want to vote for, rather than waste my vote on candidates, who don't really have a chance, and any vote for them would technically be a vote for Feinstein.

[heleny]

I agree that Riordan seems to be advocating Schwarzenegger, given the quotes where he first mentions the candidates, "somebody like Arnold Schwarzenegger (search), I think, would be a great new governor" (unprompted) and "Wouldn't it be ironic to have an Arab as a governor? Actually, Darrell Issa would make an excellent governor." (prompted about Issa)

Riordan would hate to see Tom McClintock or Jim Brulte run, since they would be too conservative for Riordan's tastes. But, we need a fiscal conservative who can right the fiscal trainwreck. I don't care what party label a candidate wears, as long as he can reduce the budget responsibly and adequately, although none of the big-name democrats or "moderate" republicans seem to have the ability to do so. I'm glad Riordan is not running, since he cannot run a successful campaign and since I don't think a liberal would solve the budget problems.

[NormsRevenge]

Examine the remarks of the 1 on 1 between Tony and Rairdon.

Please count the number of the times the word "conservative" was mentioned or used. It is a dirty word to many "Republicans".

Thank You

[CyberAnt]

"waste my vote"

I do so agree! If Arnold plans to run - he has such great name recognition - he probably has the best chance.

And ... I agree about leaning something - to know Arnold has a Grad degree in Business - that's great - and having been an athletic champion - he understands the value of discipline.

I'm still leaning toward McClintock. And ... if he runs and Arnold runs, it will be a difficult choice.

However, Issa did say the other day that the repubs need to get together and decide on one candidate - so we have a better chance of winning - and he said he felt that way even if the candidate was not him.

[CyberAnt]

leaning = learning

[Rodsomnia]

Riordan appointed Roy Romer to run LA unified school district. Romer is a huge bloated government guy, they're still milking the Belmont learning Center a high school built on a Earthquake fault with toxic gasses everywhere and costs over $200,000,000.

[FairOpinion]

"I'm still leaning toward McClintock."

I like him too, I think on another thread I posted what he said about himself when he was running for State controller, a tax cutter, lean budget guy, sounds good to me.

Unfortunately considering the California electorate, I am afraid he doesn't really have a chance for governor.

But what do you think of him running against Boxer for the US Senate seat? I kind of like that idea, and I think with a good campaign he would have a chance there and we could use a nice conservative CA Republican Senator, couldn't we?

[FairOpinion]

Looks like Riordan is not running, so we don't need to waste any effort arguing about him. ( I already did my quota anyway, LOL)

All I want is a Republican governor. ANY Republican governor.

As someone else said it also on some thread, and I totally agree, something like "we are darn tired of the Democrat machinery and we need to get whatever Republican we can get, just so it's a Republican, so we can slowly turn the tide"

[seenenuf]

It would be sweet to think beyond the immediate future.
Who ever is elected in the recall (be very afraid of Bustamonte), could be the Gov for up to 10 years and if
successful, would come from a state that is big enough to
crown a President, all except Arnold, since he is foreign born.

[FairOpinion]

"Who ever is elected in the recall (be very afraid of Bustamonte), could be the Gov for up to 10 years and if
successful, would come from a state that is big enough to
crown a President,"
---

That is exactly why I am so concerned that while the Republicans are so busy fighting aongs themselves over the various candidates, a Democrat waltzes in and gets the governorship, thanks to the Republican grassroots effort.

To have a chance, I hope the Republican hopefuls will all get together, and make some joint decision and have one Repulican run, the one deemed to have the best chance of garnering enough votes to beat out the Democrats.

[A CA Guy]

If 11% can win, has anybody thought about how Davis's solid 22% won't just put him back in again?

[FairOpinion]

"If 11% can win, has anybody thought about how Davis's solid 22% won't just put him back in again? "

---

Someone brought this up, but and someone said that fortunately Davis is not allowed to run again among the other candidates.

There are two questions:
1. Should Davis be recalled, yes or no, where his unpopularity hopefully will result in more yes, recall him votes.

2. Out of these list of umpteen candidates vote for one, who will be governor, if the recall succeeds.

The list of umpteen candidates is what worries me.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? Maybe I'll contact him and find out. If he would run for Senator against Boxer, I would do whatever here in San Diego to help him. I'll check it out.

[DPB101]

RIORDAN: Wouldn't it be ironic to have an Arab as a governor?

Why the Arab comment? Where is the irony? All I know about Darrell Issa is he's a Republican congressman. Is he a naturalized citizen? Is that it?

[FairOpinion]

I agree. Riordan's "Arab" comment was inappropriate.

[FairOpinion]

I would vote for Issa without any reservations whatsoever, if he is the Republican with the best chance.

[DPB101]

Thanks. I suspected it was a thoughtless comment but I didn't know if there was some other angle to it.

[churchillbuff]

has anybody thought about how Davis's solid 22% won't just put him back in again<>
The state constitution doesn't allowed the recalled official to run in the race to replace himself.

[FairOpinion]

I think he was just speaking before brain was engaged. Usually Riordan knows better and he is definitely not a bigot.

[FairOpinion]

"If he would run for Senator against Boxer, I would do whatever here in San Diego to help him. I'll check it out. "

===

Let us know. I really think he would make a great US Senator, he is a CA State Senator now, and I do think he would have a good chance, I personally would like to see McClintock run for US Senator. I think he could win.