Simon May Be Making History, but for All the Wrong Reasons
The question political junkies are asking is: Has there ever been a worse campaign for governor of California than Bill Simon’s?
Has there ever been a worse candidate?
That is, a sorrier gubernatorial nominee of either the Republican or Democratic party?
Can’t think of any, is the consensus of political pros I’ve talked to in both parties. Not at this point anyway–this close to Labor Day, the traditional kickoff of the November race.
My, that was mean. But like a Simon Cowell critique, it was spot on as well, old chap.
You know, until the financial scandal hit, I was quite certain that Simon would confound the critics and win in November. I was never convinced he was a lousy candidate; the kind of things the pundits were saying about him were the kind of things that surprise come-from-behind winners usually get said about them, including John Engler in Michigan and even old Ronnie in California.
Since the scandal broke, it’s looked increasingly hopeless. But I still think the pundits are wrong in most of their criticisms.