Simon Draws Conservative Line in Sand

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon Jr. tried to rev up the conservative faithful Tuesday at a quick-stop rally in Arcadia, where he portrayed next month’s primary as “about the heart and soul of the Republican Party.”

Although he never mentioned him by name, Simon--a Pacific Palisades businessman who calls himself “a proud conservative Republican”--contrasted his stance with that of front-runner and former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, an outspoken moderate.

“Sometimes you have certain events that you know are going to be very crucial in the history of an organization, and this upcoming primary--make no mistake about it--is about our very heart and soul,” he told about four dozen supporters who crammed into a small Republican Party office during lunchtime.

“You have some people saying that only a liberal can lead our party forward,” Simon said. “Do you believe that?”

“No!” the crowd shouted back.

“Liberals,” Simon continued, “do not have any monopoly on good ideas, on inclusiveness or on compassion.”

Simon, the son of Nixon-era Treasury Secretary William E. Simon, and Secretary of State Bill Jones are trying to attract Republicans who may be turned off by Riordan, who has supported abortion rights and immigrant rights and has backed many Democrats. Simon has been more reluctant to criticize Riordan, a personal friend.

Simon’s stop in Arcadia was part of a two-day campaign swing that included stops in San Diego and Santa Maria. It was geared toward charging up his supporters before this weekend’s state Republican Party convention in San Jose.

“The whole goal of this week was to get him to do grass-roots events and draw that distinction that everybody’s waiting for him to draw,” spokesman Jamie Fisfis said.

Simon spoke about the importance of honesty in government and the need for more charter and magnet schools. He bashed Gov. Gray Davis for his handling of last year’s energy crisis.

Some of those on hand to hear Simon said he sounded the right notes.

“I feel he’s someone we can trust,” said Donna Wilcher of Arcadia.