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.
What a political neophyte. I would not give out specifics early either! The media?! Don't make me laugh! Of course the media ( tools of Davis and the demonrats ) want Arnold to give specifics so they can attack.
To conservatives, this isn't nonsense. This is serious politics. Looks like you haven't been paying attention. Giving Schwarzenegger a pass on all the issues, serves no good purpose.
In the last two weeks, Arnold has gone form uttering platitudes to uttering generaltiies. At the same time, Arnold has offered NO specifics and NO details.
Here's some conservative political statements from Tom McClintock says. Pay attention.
*McClintock has said:
"I'll spend the rest of my first day as Governor to personally de-fund every state agency that duplicates local or federal jurisdictions, or overlaps other state agencies or that is performing functions that the private sector could and should do anyway."
*McClintock also said:
"I believe that the only just tax is a uniform flat rate tax. Variable rates and progressive tax schedules allow one group of citizens to tax another group for their own benefit. We have watched for years as businesses have shifted the tax burden from business profits to sales and personal income taxes. Debates over progressive schedules invariably set rich against poor. With a flat and uniform rate, every single citizen is in exactly the same boat - in exact proportion to their income. Raise the uniform rate on personal income, the rate increases proportionally on businesses too."
*Another statement from conservative Tom McClintock:
"I have always thought that one of the phoniest claims in California politics is that 'I'm a fiscal conservative but a social liberal,' which always invites the question: 'How do you plan to pay for your socially liberal programs with your fiscally conservative policies?'"
*One more statement from Tom McClintock.
*"If the most qualified candidate must defer every time a celebrity or a millionaire casts a longing eye on public office, well then we've lost something very important in our democracy, and it's called merit."
Does this mean education is on table, no.
Said by A.Schwarzenegger
No legitimate conservative candidate can say, education cuts aren't on the table. That's nothing put deception on Arnold's part.
And Warren Buffet is a BIG-TIME liberal Democrat. WTF is he doing in the campaign of a conservative candidate?
I'm voting for Arnold. If Tom doesn't quit, Cruz will win. Arnold can win, Tom cannot. It's that simple. Baby-steps. Arnold for Govenor now, then Tom for Boxer's seat later, when he's had more exposure..
You know what gives you away as a phony, AU? It's your argument by personal insult. You've been doing it repeatedly on just this thread. It probably won't do much good to tell you this, but you will only make enemies on this forum if you "argue" that way. If you want to be a Schwarzenegger partisan, that's fine with me. But I'm not the only one in this forum who notices when a poster argues by personal attack.
Man, they are very nasty people, aren't they?
Sorry. I don't agree with your defeatist attitude at this point. Arnold has no proven record of being a fiscal cosnervative and no expereince in California politics. McClintock has been involved in California politics for years and was the top GOP voter getter in California, in 2002.
Have some faith. A little Reagan optimism goes a long way. In the next several weeks, McClintock could have a big surge and pull ahead of Arnold.
Besides, why should a good conservative Republican vote for a liberal RINO like Arnold? And don't give me this crap again, that Arnold is the only one who can win this election. That's a red herring.
This bears repeating.
I can hear you. No need to yell. Calm down and control your emotions.
If McClintock could pick up independent votes and if most conservative Republicans would go for him, I'd betcha McClintock could win the recall election.
Btw, in the political arena, Arnold is an empty suit. PresBush is an 800 pound gorilla!
I'm not the type of person whose easily manipulated or victimized. But any conservative Republican that votes for a liberal like Arnold, must be infatuated with him and therefore, is a born sucker.
I'm an ardent supporter of McClintock, and I will work diligently over the next month to insure that Tom is leading the polls a month from now, but if what you say here comes to pass, I will indeed say exactly that.
That's not as wacky as it seems... If fiscally conservative principles are supposed to be best for the economy, then tax revenues will be up.
In the space of a few days, he didn't "remember" and then he did "remember." That's called flip-flopping and most voters are not impressed by it. Smart? I don't think so.
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