Dethroning Davis

March 17, 2002

by Brian W. Peterson

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon pulled off what will likely be the political upset of the decade in California.

The last time a conservative ran for governor he got himself torched. In 1998, Republican nominee Dan Lundgren looked like he was running for class president, given the feeble campaign that he mounted. Lundgren faced the lesser of three Democrat candidates, Gray Davis, yet his campaign effort was pitiful and downright embarrassing.

Naturally, Republican liberals proclaimed that Lundgren lost because of his conservatism, but one wonders if the voters even knew Lundgren’s positions, his campaign effort was so pathetic.

In this primary, Simon defeated Richard Riordan, who was supposed to be the only man alive who could defeat Davis. But Riordan could not even defeat a candidate lacking political experience, so how could he have defeated an incumbent governor?

Bill Simon, if he is to save us from four more years of an ineffectual governor devoid of leadership skills, must now roll up his proverbial sleeves, go on the attack, engage in the fight of his life, and grasp any other tired cliché that comes to mind. This is for all the marbles.

Simon must continuously remind voters of Davis’ missteps. He must force the governor to use his campaign war chest for defensive purposes. When Davis attacks, Simon must defend but then immediately counterattack.

For Simon to win, this election needs to be a referendum on Gray Davis. Certainly Simon must reveal a vision for the most populous state in the Union, but the last four years is where Davis is vulnerable.

If Simon’s team needs a place to start, Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters’ columns would be ideal. Walters has spent much of these past four years detailing Davis’ missteps, arrogance, and failures. Nothing beats an independent source as ammunition against an opponent. Frequently publishing Walters’ quotes can provide a buffer between the words and Simon’s campaign.

While keeping Davis on the defensive, Simon’s team must make sure that their attacks are accurate. If they slip into subterfuge, Simon will end up on the defensive. There are plenty of reasons why Davis should not be reelected, and plenty of faults that the governor has. None need be invented.

Nothing should be allowed to distract from the focus of the single issue of this campaign: Davis’ record.

Simon must make voters understand his view on abortion and remind people that pro-life laws won’t be coming across his desk. He must outline his vision for economic growth for California. He must portray Davis as a career politician who has been in politics so long that he was unable to handle the electricity debacle without immobilizing himself with fear over his political viability.

Simon must address the issues, but he must not let any of the above distract from his main theme: Simon is a citizen with fresh ideas entering public service for the good of the state; Davis is an ineffective politician who has enslaved citizens to high electricity rates deep into the next generation.

Simon should also contact the White House about bringing out the president’s nephew, George P. Bush. The 26-year-old son of Florida governor Jeb Bush would be a welcome campaigner in California.

Simon’s ability to counterattack effectively may be the difference between victory and heartbreak in November. Anything that diverts the voters’ attention away from Gray Davis’ mishandling of affairs - particularly the electricity debacle - potentially diverts votes away from Simon.

Gray Davis is a lucky man. If not for the mild summer of 2000, blackouts would have been commonplace. Had California experienced frequent blackouts, this contest would already be all but over.

But in truth, luck is not relevant. Whether Davis is unseated or not depends upon one man and his team. Davis is beatable, but only if Bill Simon runs a smart campaign.

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Brian W. Peterson writes a political column for the Antelope Valley Press (circulation approximately 60,000) in Palmdale, California. He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, where he majored in TV/Film. Brian’s weekly commentary and newspaper columns can be found at www.LifeAndLiberty.com.

Send the author an E mail at Peterson@ConservativeTruth.org.

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