Posted on 08/24/2003 12:43:13 PM PDT by veronica
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."
A Davis spokesman dismissed Simon's withdrawal as "irrelevant."
"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.
Yes...it was reported early last week that the Indian gaming interests would support McClintock in order to split the GOP vote and get Busamente in
So where's the "report"?
It wasn't applied in the last election.
Need I remind you. Dana Rohrabacher isn't running for Governor of California. Arnold Schwarzenegger is. And so far, Arnold's come across as an empty suit.
Perhaps. But it is also the truth. The writing is on the walls. And, as long as McClintock stays in, I'll have to say the Democrats have come up with a brilliant strategy for winning.
Well, maybe you're just ignorant about Arnold. Here's some smart's for you:
"Mr. Schwarzenegger's biography exemplifies the American dream. Determined to make it in the Hollywood movies he saw in his native Austria, he first spent countless hours training to become a world champion bodybuilder in an unheated gym in his parent's home. At age 21, he came to America in 1968 with little money and even less command of English. A natural capitalist, he bought up office buildings and apartment complexes before he ever made a film. His business empire now includes shopping malls, a Boeing 747 he leases to an airline, and a large chunk of Santa Monica real estate. He took evening courses in business at UCLA, and earned a bachelor's degree in business by mail from the University of Wisconsin at Superior. Over the course of several years he wooed and won Maria Shriver. He became the highest-paid actor in the history of movies, pulling down $30 million for this summer's "Terminator 3."
His charitable activities include a foundation that provides after-school programs for 200,000 kids and served as the inspiration for Proposition 49--an initiative he sponsored last year to expand after-school programs to every school in California. In a stroke of political genius, the initiative didn't raise taxes or cut any other program. Its funding mechanism only kicks in when economic growth naturally increases state revenues. Proposition 49 carried 50 out of the state's 53 congressional districts, winning endorsements from both Rep. Chris Cox, an Orange County Republican, and Rep. Henry Waxman, a Hollywood Democrat.
...
Bill Saracino, a former head of Gun Owners of California, believes that when it comes to conservatives evaluating Mr. Schwarzenegger, "the glass is half full or way more." He notes that Mr. Schwarzenegger has opposed strict gun controls and contributed to several free-market think tanks. He will no doubt make overtures to social conservatives." WSJ excerpt
He's surrounded himself with a very savy team, something that real leaders who are secure in themselves ( like Reagan ) do.
Sounds like a real "do-nothing" empty suit type to me /sarcasm
I said, Tom McClintock was the top vote getter. It was Bill Simon who lost to Boy Davis.
McClintock wasn't only the top GOP vote getter in California, in 2002, he also worked extremely hard to get the the BRAC bill (Bureaucracy Realignment and Closure Commission) recently passed through the California legislature.
In addition, in 1995 Tom McClintock came out with "A Citizen's Guide To The State Bidget Mess".
And don't forget McClintock's specific plan to get California out of its budget mess. You can link to it right here.
I'm very familiar with Arnold Schwarzenegger, his acting career and his charitable work. Several years back, Arnold was on Bill O'Reilly's show and said, he is a social liberal and a fiscal conservative. I took him at his word. Through the years its become crystal clear Arnold is a social liberal. He supports abortion on demand, special rights for homosexuals and gun control.
While Arnold has said he is a fiscal conservative, so far, he hasn't come close to proving it.
The twin pillars of fiscal conservatism, are cutting taxes and cutting government spending. Arnold hasn't embraced either one. Arnold has made vague references, without giving specifics or details. And Arnold has said, he will not be giving out any specifics or details of his economic recovery plan for California, until after the recall election is over. I guess he means, if he should win.
So far, Arnold's an empty suit and any comparisons to Ronald Reagan is pure sophistry.
Enjoy Cruz.
Not only is it unclear, it's not even brought up in the article which is a very poorly written one. The reporter does not indicate that he even attempted to get comment from McClintock or Ueberroth. Makes the Daily News look like it's run by a bunch of high school kids.
Please, stop just spewing out nonsense. Here's what Arnold has said about cutting taxes and spending, making your statement a big lie:
"'The people of California are under (the yoke of) tax. From the time they flush their toilet in the morning, they are taxed .... Even when they go to bed, they have the fear that they will be taxed while they sleep', he told reporters at a news conference that followed an economic summit he held with 20 top business and academic leaders, including former Secretary of State George Shultz and billionaire investor Warren Buffett." - Reuters
"SPENDING CUTS, YES; TAX HIKES, NO" 'I told Warren if he mentioned Proposition 13 one more time, he has to do 500 sit-ups,' the actor said, tossing Buffett a friendly but menacing stare. Buffett smiled and moved his hands in a fashion that said, 'Never again.'" - Reuters
"'We must have a constitutional spending cap and must immediately attack operating deficits head on. Does this mean we are going to make cuts, yes. Does this mean education is on table, no. Does this mean I am willing to raise taxes? No. Additional taxes are the last burden we need to put on the backs of the citizens and businesses of California.' - Reuters
Yes many people on FR are manipulated by the mainstream (liberal) media.
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.
Perhaps you mean something else.
Admit it, AU: You have no idea what this man will do in office.
I suggest reading the posts before posting, it's saves people like me from having to cut+paste:
Does this mean we are going to make cuts, yes.
Once again, please read the posts first.
Cut+pasted from above:
Bill Saracino, a former head of Gun Owners of California, believes that when it comes to conservatives evaluating Mr. Schwarzenegger, "the glass is half full or way more." He notes that Mr. Schwarzenegger has opposed strict gun controls
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