Party Members Nervous About Simon

Bill Simon´s campaign for governor of California is disappointing Republicans who want to beat Governor Gray Davis this November. Simon is being battered by controversies over his finances. The Republican candidate´s troubles include a civil fraud verdict against his family´s investment firm. Now some G-O-P officials wonder if high level Republicans including President Bush should distance themselves from the first-time candidate. Simon has five million dollars in campaign funds compared to the Davis´ nearly 32 million. Republican operatives say the national G-O-P is waiting to see if Simon can recover before pouring large amounts of money into his coffers.