Friday, March 1, 2002
Page 7
AFFAIRS OF STATE (Column)
Voters Have a Tough Decision in GOP Primary
By DAVID KLINE
In most elections, voting isn’t this difficult. Usually, one candidate is the obvious choice because of his or her ideology, experience, personality, trustworthiness and ability to win. But in this year’s Republican primary for governor, the decision is a real toughie.
Of the three candidates, only one is easy to eliminate. That is Richard Riordan, the former mayor of Los Angeles, who has taken the concept of vague campaigning to new heights. Riordan’s campaign theme seems to be, “Trust me, I’ll tell you about my plans later,” but Republicans who are familiar with his Democrat-friendly record know that he has done nothing to earn their trust.
That leaves the two Bills—Secretary of State Bill Jones and businessman Bill Simon. Both are top-notch candidates, and either one would be an excellent governor.
Jones has served with distinction as secretary of state. First-hand experience demonstrates that he has greatly improved the office’s customer service and its use of technology to help the public. The secretary of state’s work is not glamorous, but it is important to businesses that file documents with the state, citizens who want their votes to be counted and reporters who inform the public about business and voting activity. On all levels, Jones has done a great job.
Integrity and charisma also have been strong points for Jones, from his days in the Legislature to his service as secretary of state. And he has proven his ability to win statewide elections twice—including one election in which most Republicans were beaten unmercifully.
Indeed, it will be tough to vote for Bill Simon instead. Tough, but necessary, because polls, finances and a gut feeling indicate that Simon has a better chance to defeat Gray Davis in November.
In a two-person race, there would be no problem, because the Republicans would end up with a quality candidate either way. But this is a three-man race, and that means vote-splitting is an issue. Because Jones and Simon both are attractive candidates for true Republicans, they are likely to split the conservative vote, making it easier for Riordan to win with less-than-stellar support.
To keep such a disaster from occurring, right-wing Republicans must solidify their support for one of the Bills, and Simon emerges—by a hair—as the wiser choice.
Simon has laid out a conservative agenda that is comforting for those who are sick and tired of pumping taxes into the wasteful state bureaucracy. He believes in lower taxes, free enterprise and using the ingenuity of the private sector to help government squeeze more out of each dollar.
He also has been very approachable and open with the press and public—signs that he would be accountable to Californians once he is elected.
As for credentials, Simon is a former federal prosecutor whose boss—former U.S. Attorney and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani—has heartily endorsed his campaign. Simon also has been successful in business, and he has contributed a huge amount of time and money to charitable organizations.
Simon also has demonstrated that he has the campaign skills to take on Davis. He started out as “that other guy” in the Republican race, but his rapidly increasing poll numbers show that he has made himself known. And he has done so with a campaign that has been straightforward about his agenda, and has been tough on his opponents while remaining honest and clean.
It’s a tough call, but Bill Simon is the best choice for Republicans when they go to the polls March 5. And again when they vote in November.
— Capitol News Service
Copyright 2002, Metropolitan News Company