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.
Now that's a first. Thanks for the intelligent question. Tom McClintock is a politician and sometimes has to do things that go against his better judgment. McClintock is a loyal Republican and a smart/savvy conservative. I would expect McClintock to drop out within 2-3 weeks of the recall election, if he's way behind. We shall see.
However, I thought better of Arnold Schwarzenegger before all this recall crap started. Arnold has been a huge disappointment.
Now you're whining at me because I remind you of the agreement you made when you applied for the posting privilege in this forum? This might be a good time to review that agreement, AU. There's a reason why personal insult is not allowed here, and that reason is because trolls use personal attack to provoke flame wars, thereby disrupting the forum. I'm actually being very kind to you. At this point.
Too bad you don't realize that 'useful idiot' was a term that communists used in reference to liberals.
Yes, I do realize that.
No, their focus is on McClintock and McClintock exclusively. In one breath they hysterically demand McClintock withdraw; in the next breath they assure us McClintock has absolutely no hope at all.
Their confusing blend of hysterics and marginalizing of McClintock is actually a confession that McClintock is far more of a contender than they dare to admit with their mouths.
Agreed.
And outside of Fox news, the general silence from the media and the press on the McClintock campaign, shows a desire to keep him off the radar screen, for as long as possible. Outta sight, outta mind, off TV and down in the polls. Such a strategy, just may work. Then again, it may not work. It may backfire on them.
hehehehehehehe
This is so very simple. Let's say McClintock gets 10% of the vote. He:
1) has absolutely no hope at all.
2) Can absolutely be a spoiler and "give" insure that Busty wins
What's not to understand?
Then why is it encumbent upon McClintock to drop our?
That's disturbing news, especially of McClintock's camp is aware of it.
How you can support a flaming liberal like Arnie Schwarzenmuttonhead when there is a viable conservative in the race.
That, MizAmericaPie, is the mystery of the ages.
We may have a chance to see.
We differ on what "viable" means.
To me, a viable candidate stands a "good" chance of winning. McClintock has little more than a snowballs chance. But we shall see now, won't we. Talk is cheap. I'll touch base back in a month.
My predictions: Arnold's campaign will have opened up a good lead over Busty, and a "substantial lead" over McClintock.
You are clearly a disruptor, trying to start a flame war.
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