Democrats for Riordan Get a Simon Surprise

Re “Now Davis Faces His Real Challenger,” by Dan Schnur, Commentary, March 7: Wow! Gov. Gray Davis must think that a large portion of his constituents, California’s Republicans, are really stupid. He spent $10 million on attack ads to convince us to vote for Bill Simon instead of Richard Riordan? Gee, I thought I voted for Simon because he is not a career politician, he will put education first, maybe he can deal with the utility problems Davis cannot seem to grasp and because he received the endorsement of New York’s former mayor, Rudolph Giuliani.

Guess I was wrong. Whatever shall I do in November? Please, Gov. Davis, tell me how to think!

Shayne Hood

Newhall

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What are the chances that Simon will mention his being a conservative Republican in his advertising now?

Michael McKinnon

Pomona

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Running opposed by three all-but-invisible, no-name, no-budget candidates, Davis got only 81% of the Democratic vote in the March 5 primary. Nearly one-fifth of Democrats found it too distasteful to vote for Davis. I am not unhappy with Davis’ handling of the California energy crisis. But I am very unhappy with his past vetoes of increases in workers’ compensation and “driving while black” tracking legislation, his dishonest maneuvers to kill limits on unwanted telemarketing calls, his support for bringing large-scale casino gambling to California and his massive fund-raising and servicing of large donors and special interests.

I cannot and will not vote for either Davis or Simon. For many Democrats and moderate Republicans our only hope in November is a large, organized write-in campaign. Candidates?

David Reisner

Los Angeles

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The conservative wing of the Republican Party has greatly reduced the chances of kicking Davis out of office by selecting Simon as the man to face the governor in November. Though I do not agree with all of Riordan’s ideas or proposed policies, he was the best man to capture a great majority of dissatisfied Democrats and moderate Republicans.

Simon will alienate the moderate voters of the state. Maybe, just maybe, the voters will be so completely disgusted with Davis that they will vote Simon into the governor’s office. However, Republicans just made that goal much harder to reach with Simon as the only other choice.

Pete Zamoyski

Long Beach

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In the language of psychobabble, the California Republicans need an intervention. Last Tuesday they hurt themselves by nominating Simon for governor. This attempt at political suicide is a cry for help by a party that feels isolated and disconnected from the voters of the state.

The only way for the GOP to end its downward spiral is to realize that most people dislike social conservatives almost as much as they dislike taxes. We’ll all be better off when one of the parties realizes this and runs candidates who are fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

Alex Small

Isla Vista

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Even as a lifelong Democrat, I find it difficult voting for Davis--a governor preoccupied with raising campaign cash. Now that Republican voters have defeated the moderate Riordan in favor of a more right-wing candidate, however, it looks like I’m stuck with voting for Davis in November.

Now, let’s see what else is in the news: “Davis Names Former Edison Chief to PUC,” March 6. Well, on second thought, just to be fair, maybe I should be giving this guy Simon a closer look: “A” rating by the National Rifle Assn. . . . endorsement by the California Pro-Life Council . . . White House and its allies . . . reaching out to Simon” (“Simon’s Conservative Image Could Play Into Davis’ Hands,” March 6). Nah, I guess it’ll have to be Davis after all.

Howard W. Hays

Sierra Madre