George Putnam
Friday, March 15, 2002

Simon destroyed Riordan 49 percent to 31 percent with a shift of 58 percent in polling tabulation just two months before the primary. And Riordan early on was leading in the polls by 40 percent.

Let's talk about California's politics, which I have covered for 50 years, since I arrived from New York on the California scene as a television and radio commentator. At that time, Senator William F. Knowland was a powerhouse. He had a safe birth in the United States Senate until he allegedly became involved with another senator's widow.

It is alleged Mrs. Knowland insisted he come back to California and run for Governor. That meant that Goodwin Knight would have to change chairs with the Senator, Knight being a sure bet for Governor. As a result, both lost, as did the Republicans. Enter Edmund Pat Brown, at that time Republican District Attorney of Oakland. Pat changed parties, became a Democrat and won two terms as Governor over Knowland and then Richard Nixon.

About that time I, myself, was approached to run for Governor. They felt I had a good chance in that I was the leading television news personality at that time. I thanked them kindly, but said I could not accept for three reasons: 1. I'm a lifelong Democrat, 2. I was making too much money, and 3. I would not compromise.

I'm sure I was only one of many they approached, but at that moment we were blessed with my lifelong friend Ronald Reagan. They attempted to attack him, saying he was a lightheaded performer reciting memorized lines, after his success as spokesman for General Electric. Then came his brilliant speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater in 1964. That's when our actor/candidate/charmer studied government in-depth, was briefed by top-flight UCLA political professors and began to be accepted for his full value.

I recall all this because, unlike others who have only read about it, I lived through it on a day-to-day basis. Ronald Reagan learned much of his parliamentary procedure and political acumen at the side of one Lawrence Bielenson, author of such brilliant dissertations as "The Treaty Trap."

All of this has bearing on what we witness now in the presence of a charismatic, brilliant, young businessman - William Simon, Jr. Indeed, it is a time for choosing. Of course, what they'll attempt to do is to paint Simon as an extremist, which he is not - at the same time pointing to Gray Davis, the leftist, as a moderate. Won't wash.

California's voters, Democrats as well as Republicans, are clearly disgruntled with a Governor who has brought them a severe energy crunch, a $17 billion budget deficit and a tax increase. A recent field poll shows only 3 in 5 Democrats say they are inclined to support Gray Davis for re-election. Indeed, this may well be the right moment for Californians to return to the core beliefs and successful leadership of Ronald Reagan.

If you doubt my words, I refer you to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's strong endorsement of his one-time assistant, Federal Prosecutor, Bill Simon, Jr. The time for choosing is NOW.

The legendary George Putnam is 87 years young and a veteran of 67 years as a reporter, broadcaster, commentator... and is still going strong. George is part of the all-star line-up of Southern California's KPLS Radio - Hot Talk AM 830.