The Lieutenant Governors race is sure different than just a few months ago. Back in that day Sen. Jeff Denham had been campaigning for over a year. His successful defeat of a recall aimed at his “no” vote on a bloated unbalanced budget allowed him to raise money and develop contacts statewide. Sen. Aanestad had jumped in and need to raise money quick.
Today, Denham is running for Assembly, Aanestad still needs to raise money (he can win if he can get his message out) and the Governor has vaulted Sen. Abel Maldonado into the LG race. Whether he is confirmed or not, Maldonado is in the LG race to stay.
It is no secret that with a little money a candidate can beat Maldonado in the GOP Primary. It is difficult to choose which betrayal of mainstream GOP and Californian voters to list as a reason to reject his candidacy, but I hope someone does an ad about his signing the no new tax pledge and then voting for huge tax increases. (His consistent betrayal of the GOP core principles and his ability to break his word does explain why he is good fit for the Governor as LG.)
So now that the field has changed, does Bill Simon say yes to running for LG?
There are advantages. This seat is essentially an open seat, with at worst an appointed, by an unpopular and failed Governor, incumbent.
Maldonado has showed he can’t win in a statewide GOP primary and that was before some of his recent votes.
Bill Simon can use the primary to warm up for whichever Democrat wins a nasty primary. The leading contenders all have baggage and Simon has been through the rough and tumble, lesson learning of a nasty statewide campaign.
Should he run and win he is next in line to be Governor.
Simon wins, Maldonado loses. Seems like a good deal to me and the rest of California.
December 18th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Bill Simon running for Lt. Governor who endorsed and supports Meg Whitman for Governor.
Bill and Meg? I think NOT!
December 18th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Are you kidding us? This rerun reminds one of an awful Captain Midnight 15 part serial flick playing in a dingy, your shoes stick to the floor, movie theatre in downtown Inglewood….followed by the “25 Foot Woman” …..swap meet shoppette.
Ugh! Mr. Simon ran the worst campaign in modern California politics. It was agonizing hearing this STONE deliver a speech at rallies of the country club set.
But….he has the funds….and funds are important….ask Whitman, Huffington et al….
When will anyone get a grip on the realities facing California….you will never change California unless you get serious, competent leaders to run for public office.
Anyone who promotes this guy is a candidate for assisted living!
This guy is a joke from the get go!
December 18th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Worst campaign in California History goes to quite a few other candidates Bustamante, Lungren for Gov and Riordan for Gov.
Bill Simons campaign was not without mistakes. I think there are lessons learned there. Simon is much better match for CA than Maldonado.
Aanastead could win if the money is there. Simon we know will have it.
Send me money and assist my living please!
December 18th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Maldonado is now a preplexing pimple in California politics….but he is not remotely relevant….no conservative will vote for this guy…
Whoever came up with SIMON…an insane idea trotting out a hopeless retread because he has money and a flaming ego.
As far as sending money….NADA…never associate with losers…. my father told me!
December 19th, 2009 at 12:00 am
My vote for the worst candidate is definitely Lungren. I have always liked him but that 98 campaign was the most disappointing in recent history. He managed to destroy Umberg in the AG race in 94 and I think he received more votes that anyone in the state that year. And then 4 years later he got destroyed by Gray Davis…Gray Davis. I’m glad he’s back in Congress now but wish he would 98 would have been a lot different. Think…if we would have won in 98 we probably would have seen the last of Gray and Arnold might be making Terminator 7 right now!