IRONICALLY, Bill Simon’s best day as a recall candidate was his last. Unable to raise money, generate support from his party’s power players, or earn attention amidst the media circus that is Arnoldmania, Simon found a novel way to get noticed: drop out. “There are too many Republicans in this race and the people of our state simply cannot risk a continuation of the Gray Davis legacy,” Simon said in a videotaped statement released Saturday morning. “For these reasons I think it’s wise to step aside.”

Such was Simon’s luck that he wasn’t even the first of the 135 recall candidates to withdraw voluntarily. That distinction goes to Scott Davis, a Palo Alto businessman who bowed out after it was reported that he’s a prime suspect in the killing of the lover of his estranged wife. Now there’s a shocker. Next thing you know, we’ll find reality-TV contestants with checkered pasts. Speaking of which, how did Rick Rockwell miss out on recall?