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California Republicans Endorse Schwarzenegger

Aired September 26, 2003 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Eleven days before the California recall election, California Republicans, eager to retake the governor's office, apparently see Arnold Schwarzenegger in a new and flattering light. Today, the self-proclaimed godfather of the recall drive added his name to Schwarzenegger's growing list of endorsements.
We begin our recall reporter -- with our recall reporter, Bob Franken.

Bob, how does the endorsement by Darrell Issa help Arnold Schwarzenegger?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it can't hurt, as somebody might say.

He, of course, is the person who is pretty much identified with the recall, at least one of them. He's also a conservative Republican. So that endorsement means something, since he's probably more ideologically aligned with Tom McClintock. But there was Darrell Issa at the Arnold Schwarzenegger campaign headquarters, joining the parade that's been there.

Bill Simon, who was another conservative Republican candidate who had dropped out, he had been there yesterday with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The party chiefs, the county party chiefs in the state, had also endorsed Schwarzenegger. But now it was the time for Darrell Issa to endorse.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DARRELL ISSA (R), CALIFORNIA: I give you, with my wholehearted support, Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you.

When he saw his campaign for governor not progressing the way he expected, what did he do? He did a selfless act. He stepped aside.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Of course, he was talking there about Darrell Issa. But he may have well been talking directly to Tom McClintock, who is the state senator who says he's in this race to stay. Of course, you know politics. In any case, that's just one of the little things going on. Governor Gray Davis is now trying to make this an event that features him pitted against Arnold Schwarzenegger. So he has called for a debate, Gray Davis has. Davis wants Schwarzenegger, at least unofficially has said that Schwarzenegger should debate him. I would not hold my breath on that one.

One other bit of news -- and it's on the Democratic side. Ann Richards, the former Texas governor, is campaigning this afternoon with Governor Davis. There is going to be a notable visitor next week. It is General Wesley Clark, the newly minted presidential candidate for the Democrats, who is going to be showing himself as a true Democrat, Judy, by appearing at Gray Davis' side next week -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: So, Bob, you're pretty sure Schwarzenegger is not going to take up Davis up on this idea of a debate?

FRANKEN: Well, the campaign aides have certainly said it's not much of an idea, besides which, starting October 2, which, of course, isn't all that far away, Schwarzenegger is going to be taking a four- day trip around the state on a bus. So there's really not much time built in there for a debate.

WOODRUFF: OK, Bob Franken, our recall man, thank you.

In the closing days of the recall campaign, Arnold Schwarzenegger, we're told, plans to ditch his Hummer and try a new mode of transportation. He has scheduled a bus tour to various California cities October 2 through the 4th. He may hope to save some cash in the process. Newly released financial reports show that Schwarzenegger has raised $13.6 million for his campaign, and he has spent most of it, leaving him with less than $4 million as of Saturday.

Schwarzenegger has used $6.5 million from his own pocket, but he has gotten contributions, including $1,000 from President Bush's father. His closest competitor, Democrat Cruz Bustamante, has raised more than $9 million, about the same amount as Governor Gray Davis has raised to try to hold on to his job. Bustamante now has less than $200,000 cash on hand.

So it is no surprise that he's looking for free publicity as he heads into the homestretch of a close race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GOV. CRUZ BUSTAMANTE (D-CA), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I'm in competition with Arnold and Tom. And from the numbers I've seen, we're in a statistical dead heat right now. So we're all in a situation where we'd love to be able to come on camera, talk about my issues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WOODRUFF: Bustamante mentioned Tom McClintock. Now, he's out with a new ad today, promising to stay in the race for governor, despite many of his fellow Republicans closing ranks around Schwarzenegger.

Well, now let's talk to one of the Republicans who's now backing Schwarzenegger. He's the former gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon. He joins us from Los Angeles.

Do you think Tom McClintock should get out of this race?

BILL SIMON (R), FORMER CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Judy, yesterday, I publicly announced -- I publicly endorsed Arnold Schwarzenegger and said that Republicans should unite around Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I would not presume to call my friend Tom McClintock and ask him to get out. But I think that we need to have one candidate to unite around to ensure that we'll have a Republican governor. And Arnold Schwarzenegger has the best chance. And I think we should unite around Arnold.

WOODRUFF: Well, as you probably know, the Schwarzenegger campaign has put out a TV ad, among other things, going after Tom McClintock for taking campaign contributions from Indian tribes. Is this any way to unify Republicans?

SIMON: Well, Judy, the rough-and-tumble of campaigns, we know that well. And I think the best way to unify right now is to get behind Arnold, because he's got the best shot.

He's got a good, strong economic platform. I admire Tom McClintock and I respect his views. He's a conservative, like I am. And I think he's had a great career and he's got a great career in front of him. But this is not his time. I don't think he can win.

WOODRUFF: Well, as you point out, he is seen as a conservative in the Republican Party, as you are. Are you comfortable, Bill Simon, with the idea that, for ideological reasons, a fellow conservative is being pushed out of this race?

SIMON: Well, Judy, I don't really view it as being pushed out. My golly, we all started -- a number of us were in the race at the start, myself included. And I got out because I thought there were too many Republicans in the race.

And the fact is that, as you go along, you have had a chance to express your views. You have had a chance to put forward your vision. There's been a debate. There's been a convention, plenty of opportunity to campaign. We've given Tom McClintock a great chance to set forth his vision. But the polls are the polls. And you can't fight people's opinion. I mean, this election is for the people to decide.

WOODRUFF: Well, let me just quickly quote you, Bill Simon, something that Tom McClintock has just said. He said there's a certain herd instinct that plays out among pachyderms. He said you're seeing that now. He says: "The people I've always appealed to are the rank-and- file voters of this state. They have responding from the very first day, when I was an asterisk." Why couldn't he be right? Why shouldn't he be the one who remains in the race?

SIMON: Well, miracles do happen, Judy. That's for sure.

But I don't see it happening here. And I think that Arnold's got a good, strong economic platform. And I think the risk that we run is, when you have two Republicans in the race and one Democrat, you are going to split the vote, clearly. And I think that, having watched Cruz Bustamante debate on Wednesday night, for me, as a conservative Republican, that is a frightening prospect, having Cruz Bustamante be our next governor.

I wouldn't want to take that chance myself. That's why I endorsed Arnold on Thursday morning.

WOODRUFF: Well, are you essentially saying that Republicans cannot win if the two of these Republicans stay in the race? Are you saying, in to words, that Arnold Schwarzenegger cannot win if McClintock is still in?

SIMON: Well, I think he could win. I think there's a possibility. But I think that possibility is greatly reduced if there's more than one Republican in the race.

WOODRUFF: You mean enhanced.

SIMON: Yes, I'm sorry, enhanced.

And I think the fact is that, as we get closer to October the 7th, it's looking more difficult for Davis to be recalled. And I think that, frankly, we need to get behind the effort to recall Gray Davis. And I think we need to get behind one Republican candidate to ensure that we've got a Republican governor on October the 8th.

WOODRUFF: Do you think Mr. Schwarzenegger should debate Governor Davis?

SIMON: That's a personal decision to Arnold. And I don't think debates ever hurt, myself. I think you get points for showing up.

WOODRUFF: All right, well, we are going to leave it there. We're going to see what the Schwarzenegger camp's decision is on that, because it looks like that's what the governor is asking for.

Bill Simon, former candidate for governor of the state of California, good to see you again.

SIMON: Thank you, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Thanks very much for talking with us.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired September 26, 2003 - 15:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Eleven days before the California recall election, California Republicans, eager to retake the governor's office, apparently see Arnold Schwarzenegger in a new and flattering light. Today, the self-proclaimed godfather of the recall drive added his name to Schwarzenegger's growing list of endorsements.
We begin our recall reporter -- with our recall reporter, Bob Franken.

Bob, how does the endorsement by Darrell Issa help Arnold Schwarzenegger?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it can't hurt, as somebody might say.

He, of course, is the person who is pretty much identified with the recall, at least one of them. He's also a conservative Republican. So that endorsement means something, since he's probably more ideologically aligned with Tom McClintock. But there was Darrell Issa at the Arnold Schwarzenegger campaign headquarters, joining the parade that's been there.

Bill Simon, who was another conservative Republican candidate who had dropped out, he had been there yesterday with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The party chiefs, the county party chiefs in the state, had also endorsed Schwarzenegger. But now it was the time for Darrell Issa to endorse.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DARRELL ISSA (R), CALIFORNIA: I give you, with my wholehearted support, Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you.

When he saw his campaign for governor not progressing the way he expected, what did he do? He did a selfless act. He stepped aside.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Of course, he was talking there about Darrell Issa. But he may have well been talking directly to Tom McClintock, who is the state senator who says he's in this race to stay. Of course, you know politics. In any case, that's just one of the little things going on. Governor Gray Davis is now trying to make this an event that features him pitted against Arnold Schwarzenegger. So he has called for a debate, Gray Davis has. Davis wants Schwarzenegger, at least unofficially has said that Schwarzenegger should debate him. I would not hold my breath on that one.

One other bit of news -- and it's on the Democratic side. Ann Richards, the former Texas governor, is campaigning this afternoon with Governor Davis. There is going to be a notable visitor next week. It is General Wesley Clark, the newly minted presidential candidate for the Democrats, who is going to be showing himself as a true Democrat, Judy, by appearing at Gray Davis' side next week -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: So, Bob, you're pretty sure Schwarzenegger is not going to take up Davis up on this idea of a debate?

FRANKEN: Well, the campaign aides have certainly said it's not much of an idea, besides which, starting October 2, which, of course, isn't all that far away, Schwarzenegger is going to be taking a four- day trip around the state on a bus. So there's really not much time built in there for a debate.

WOODRUFF: OK, Bob Franken, our recall man, thank you.

In the closing days of the recall campaign, Arnold Schwarzenegger, we're told, plans to ditch his Hummer and try a new mode of transportation. He has scheduled a bus tour to various California cities October 2 through the 4th. He may hope to save some cash in the process. Newly released financial reports show that Schwarzenegger has raised $13.6 million for his campaign, and he has spent most of it, leaving him with less than $4 million as of Saturday.

Schwarzenegger has used $6.5 million from his own pocket, but he has gotten contributions, including $1,000 from President Bush's father. His closest competitor, Democrat Cruz Bustamante, has raised more than $9 million, about the same amount as Governor Gray Davis has raised to try to hold on to his job. Bustamante now has less than $200,000 cash on hand.

So it is no surprise that he's looking for free publicity as he heads into the homestretch of a close race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GOV. CRUZ BUSTAMANTE (D-CA), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I'm in competition with Arnold and Tom. And from the numbers I've seen, we're in a statistical dead heat right now. So we're all in a situation where we'd love to be able to come on camera, talk about my issues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WOODRUFF: Bustamante mentioned Tom McClintock. Now, he's out with a new ad today, promising to stay in the race for governor, despite many of his fellow Republicans closing ranks around Schwarzenegger.

Well, now let's talk to one of the Republicans who's now backing Schwarzenegger. He's the former gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon. He joins us from Los Angeles.

Do you think Tom McClintock should get out of this race?

BILL SIMON (R), FORMER CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Judy, yesterday, I publicly announced -- I publicly endorsed Arnold Schwarzenegger and said that Republicans should unite around Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I would not presume to call my friend Tom McClintock and ask him to get out. But I think that we need to have one candidate to unite around to ensure that we'll have a Republican governor. And Arnold Schwarzenegger has the best chance. And I think we should unite around Arnold.

WOODRUFF: Well, as you probably know, the Schwarzenegger campaign has put out a TV ad, among other things, going after Tom McClintock for taking campaign contributions from Indian tribes. Is this any way to unify Republicans?

SIMON: Well, Judy, the rough-and-tumble of campaigns, we know that well. And I think the best way to unify right now is to get behind Arnold, because he's got the best shot.

He's got a good, strong economic platform. I admire Tom McClintock and I respect his views. He's a conservative, like I am. And I think he's had a great career and he's got a great career in front of him. But this is not his time. I don't think he can win.

WOODRUFF: Well, as you point out, he is seen as a conservative in the Republican Party, as you are. Are you comfortable, Bill Simon, with the idea that, for ideological reasons, a fellow conservative is being pushed out of this race?

SIMON: Well, Judy, I don't really view it as being pushed out. My golly, we all started -- a number of us were in the race at the start, myself included. And I got out because I thought there were too many Republicans in the race.

And the fact is that, as you go along, you have had a chance to express your views. You have had a chance to put forward your vision. There's been a debate. There's been a convention, plenty of opportunity to campaign. We've given Tom McClintock a great chance to set forth his vision. But the polls are the polls. And you can't fight people's opinion. I mean, this election is for the people to decide.

WOODRUFF: Well, let me just quickly quote you, Bill Simon, something that Tom McClintock has just said. He said there's a certain herd instinct that plays out among pachyderms. He said you're seeing that now. He says: "The people I've always appealed to are the rank-and- file voters of this state. They have responding from the very first day, when I was an asterisk." Why couldn't he be right? Why shouldn't he be the one who remains in the race?

SIMON: Well, miracles do happen, Judy. That's for sure.

But I don't see it happening here. And I think that Arnold's got a good, strong economic platform. And I think the risk that we run is, when you have two Republicans in the race and one Democrat, you are going to split the vote, clearly. And I think that, having watched Cruz Bustamante debate on Wednesday night, for me, as a conservative Republican, that is a frightening prospect, having Cruz Bustamante be our next governor.

I wouldn't want to take that chance myself. That's why I endorsed Arnold on Thursday morning.

WOODRUFF: Well, are you essentially saying that Republicans cannot win if the two of these Republicans stay in the race? Are you saying, in to words, that Arnold Schwarzenegger cannot win if McClintock is still in?

SIMON: Well, I think he could win. I think there's a possibility. But I think that possibility is greatly reduced if there's more than one Republican in the race.

WOODRUFF: You mean enhanced.

SIMON: Yes, I'm sorry, enhanced.

And I think the fact is that, as we get closer to October the 7th, it's looking more difficult for Davis to be recalled. And I think that, frankly, we need to get behind the effort to recall Gray Davis. And I think we need to get behind one Republican candidate to ensure that we've got a Republican governor on October the 8th.

WOODRUFF: Do you think Mr. Schwarzenegger should debate Governor Davis?

SIMON: That's a personal decision to Arnold. And I don't think debates ever hurt, myself. I think you get points for showing up.

WOODRUFF: All right, well, we are going to leave it there. We're going to see what the Schwarzenegger camp's decision is on that, because it looks like that's what the governor is asking for.

Bill Simon, former candidate for governor of the state of California, good to see you again.

SIMON: Thank you, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Thanks very much for talking with us.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com