Simon's departure helps Arnold

Businessman Bill Simon heeded the call of the Republican Party for a united front Saturday and dropped out of the race to replace the governor in the October recall election, strengthening actor Arnold Schwarzenegger's chances of winning.

Simon did not immediately endorse Schwarzenegger, state Sen. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks or former Major League Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, the top three Republicans in the race competing for governor against the leading Democrat, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, to take over the governor's mansion if Gov. Gray Davis is recalled Oct. 7.

In recent days, more Republican activists have called for the other candidates, particularly Simon, to drop out so that the party does not split its votes and clear the way for Bustamante in the winner-take-all election.

"There are too many Republicans in this race," Simon said in a videotaped message. "And the people of our state simply cannot risk a continuation of the Gray Davis legacy. For these reasons I think it's wise to step aside."

Although he will cease campaigning, it is too late to remove Simon's name from the 135 on the Oct. 7 ballot. But his endorsement could swing some conservative Republicans to vote for another candidate.

Simon was not available for interviews. A spokesman denied the move was a result of direct pressure from party activists. Still, the calls for Simon and other Republicans to drop out had amplified the day before his announcement, as the influential Lincoln Club of Orange County endorsed Schwarzenegger and called on Simon, McClintock and Ueberroth to step down.

Schwarzenegger praised Simon, and said he expects him to "continue to be a force for change."

"Bill Simon is a friend and man I respect. I know his decision today, which he called me about personally, was difficult for him and Cindy," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

"I hope Bill's personal sacrifice will serve to unify Republicans and other Californians who are eager to join the movement to give California back its future."

Ueberroth will be listed as a Republican on the ballot, but has said he is running as an independent. His campaign consultant said Saturday he will remain in the race. His campaign will feature a series of town hall meetings with voters, including one in the San Fernando Valley next weekend.

Many Democrats have broken with the governor's Davis-only strategy and backed Bustamante in his "No on recall, yes on Bustamante" campaign. Davis has indicated he, too, may change directions, saying the lieutenant governor could help bring out more Democrats to oppose recall in part one of the ballot.

Bustamante, appearing in Van Nuys on Saturday, said he wasn't surprised to hear that Simon dropped out.

"I think people are getting over the celebrity hype and understand that they have a very serious issue before them. Anyone who thinks they're just going to go out there and wow the voters when they're angry is going to find that's just not the case."

"We're still focused on defeating question one on the ballot," said Gabriel Sanchez, spokesman for the Davis anti-recall committee. "Question two has become a sideshow with one less clown."

McClintock has made it clear he intends to stay in the race and predicted a come-from-behind victory.

"They said that War Admiral couldn't be beat and shouldn't have to run a race against the likes of Seabiscuit," McClintock said in a written statement. "Let me assure everyone that I am one horse that is in this race to the finish line."

Staff Writer Lisa M. Sodders and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Arnold's support of sodomy and abortion should make him a favorite of you libertines.

I find homosexuality abhorent, and I think abortion should be prohibited by law.

And I think Arnold is a socialist. (just like most republicans).

But he IS a republican after all...

Doesn't that mean he wins your automatic support...?

Or have you changed your ways?

However, I'm not following your logic. Are you saying that the liberal media manipulated the facts and Tom McClintock wasn't the top vote getter in California, in 2002? Or, are you saying that the mainstream (liberal) media keeps overlooking the top vote getter in California, in 2002? That would be Tom McClintock, of course.

My comments were not directed towards the 2002 McClintock race. That was a sideshow from the media point of view. My comments were directed primarily at the way the media handles the highest-profile office elections on a given ballot, such as governor.

Therefore extrapolating my view in the way you suggest is not what I intended to convey.

However, in regards to 2002, I will give you my view. When [high-profile office candidate] Simon took a dive in 2002, he dragged the other Republicans on the ballot down with him, including McClintock. Voters tend to vote along party lines on a single ballot. The media aids and abets this, of course; they focus their attention on the top couple of highest-profile office candidates and give all the other candidates short shrift.

Does anyone remember Matt Fong? He was running for U.S. Senate against Barbara Boxer. He stood an excellent chance of winning. But when it was discovered that he'd donated money to the "Traditional Values Coalition,"

A load of revisionist "history".

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