Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : IMPEACH GRAY DAVIS! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (643)	8/1/2003 1:59:16 PM
From: Lazarus_Long	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1641

Riordan's bid likely, actor's fate on 'Tonight Show' By Mary Anne Ostrom and Laura Kurtzman Mercury News BURBANK - With the deadline to run in California's historic recall election just over a week away, it is becoming increasingly clear that actor Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to bow out and that former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan will step into the campaign. But, in a true Hollywood twist, you may have to tune in Wednesday for the official word: That's when Schwarzenegger plans to reveal whether he'll run for governor on ``The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,'' a campaign consultant said late Thursday. Schwarzenegger aide Sean Walsh said the actor chose that venue so he could speak directly to the public. ``Leno is watched by millions of viewers, and they will see him unedited and up close,'' Walsh said. Riordan -- who also is not expected to make an announcement until next week -- is already at work assembling his team, which sources say includes some of Schwarzenegger's consultants. And while there was no word on what Schwarzenegger will say on national television next week, those close to him said earlier Thursday that he was still leaning against a run. The timing of formal announcements from the Republicans has some political observers wondering what's taking so long. And the apparent maneuvering between Schwarzenegger and Riordan is, in the words of GOP consultant Sal Russo, ``a bad attempt at a baton pass with no one at the other end to receive it.'' Riordan told the Mercury News Thursday that he was ``still looking at all the ins and outs'' and was using the week to study issues and put together a team. ``Well, if Arnold doesn't run, I probably will,'' he said. Previously, Riordan has said he won't run if Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein enters the race. She has so far declined to jump in. But some observers say he may be holding back on a formal move to be sure she won't run. Assembling a team Clint Reilly, an unpaid adviser to Riordan, said Riordan has decided his campaign team will include George Gorton, a veteran California campaign manager, and former mayoral adviser Noelia Rodriguez, who now serves as first lady Laura Bush's press secretary. Reilly said Riordan moved quickly to assemble a team and strategy after learning last weekend that Schwarzenegger was close to deciding against a run. Gorton has been advising Schwarzenegger. Meanwhile, Walsh said the actor is doing ``appropriate due diligence and will not be rushed by the media, or anyone. He will make up his mind at a time and place of his own choosing. ``He is doing thorough and thoughtful analysis of what is in the best interests of California and his family.'' Despite the apparent momentum toward a Riordan declaration, some GOP strategists openly worried about Riordan's ability to run a focused, disciplined campaign, something many Republicans felt he did not do in last year's GOP gubernatorial primary and that led to his surprising defeat by political newcomer Bill Simon. ``It's typical Riordan that he puts an eclectic campaign group together and it's possible they don't ever make any progress,'' said Russo, who is advising the Recall Gray Davis campaign. ``That has the party faithful worried.'' And the Democrats have been trying to make an issue of the 73-year-old former mayor's age and health. California Democratic Party Chair Art Torres told the Los Angeles Times that Riordan has ``some real weaknesses in terms of age and ability to run the state,'' and said the state's leader needs to be ``someone with an attention span larger than Dick has.'' Riordan said he is still physically fit and takes his bicycle on long rides, including 80 miles of an AIDS charity ride, from Ventura to Hollywood. Riordan quipped that he may be old, but ``Gray Davis has been dead the last 10 years.'' Moderate wanted Among those cheering loudly for Riordan to make his formal announcement is state Sen. Bruce McPherson, R-Santa Cruz. ``Every day counts when there are so few to begin with,'' McPherson said. He said he would back Riordan because without a well-known Republican moderate, especially one who can help finance his own campaign as Riordan can, ``Davis has the luxury of running against a bunch of conservatives, or right-wingers as some people call them, and he'll be able to broad-brush the whole Republican Party as such, and it's not that.'' If neither Riordan nor Schwarzenegger runs, McPherson said he would consider adding his name to the ballot. ``We have just very, very basic plans now.'' bayarea.com Also: Message 19170054