Even with all the gubernatorial recall action this past week — from Ariana dropping out to Arnold’s admitted bad behavior — one of the biggest busts was at Larry Flynt’s San Francisco campaign rally.
But that was exactly what patrons were looking for. After all, the event was held at the porn peddler’s topless club.

The gubernatorial candidate didn’t show up to his own event, held at the North Beach Hustler Club. Not many other people did either. The few in attendance, however, were disappointed that the rally didn’t meet its billing. One woman pointed to a flyer that read “Meet the man — the myth — the legend — and show your support.”

“I’m saying if you’re going to present yourself as Mr. Smut Peddler, at least have some better materials,” said Marcia, 31, waving a postcard-sized flyer. “At least some better paper stock. Make it a better PR media vehicle.”

Instead of political discourse on campaign finance reform, it was a night of $2 drink discounts. Rather than banter of who dropped in the polls, it was a night of sliding down poles. And instead of excitement derived from hanging chads, it came from dancers hanging upside down. There was, however, the constant thrust for fund-raising. It was business — and politics — as usual.

Marcia, a writer, club promoter and lifestyle marketer who declined to give her last name, said she was hoping for a media circus replete with campaign memorabilia and boisterous supporters. Instead it was the usual number of post-work revelers. Marcia said she may not vote to recall Gov. Gray Davis, but she is considering other candidates.

The Republicans “are skewering Gray Davis when there’s so much more they should be focusing on when the economy is tanking. It’s a very costly, unnecessary diversion,” she said. “It makes me sick. The government machine is out of control. I can’t take my government seriously. That’s when I take a look at someone like Larry Flynt.”

A few minutes later, Marcia and her friend sauntered down to the stage and left $1 bills on the tip rail for a blonde dancer who came up later to sit with them. The only other people hoping to get a glimpse of Flynt Wednesday night were some of the dancers.

“We had all been looking forward to him coming here,” said Satine DuraLux, 23. “I found out this morning that he’s not coming down. It’s disappointing.”

DuraLux said political talk wasn’t sensational at the club because “there are two girls here intelligent enough to talk politics.” But there weren’t any illusions about the Flynt publicity stunt.

“I think it’s hilarious,” DuraLux said. “It’s a way to advertise for the club. That’s all I think it is — advertising.”

DuraLux plans to vote “no” on the recall and “yes” for either Democratic candidate Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante or Republican candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger “just to stir things up.”

Flynt didn’t get much consideration. In fact, of those polled at the club, none supported the recall, although statewide polls now indicate that a majority of Californians wants to recall Davis.

Kimberly Hathaway, a spokeswoman for Flynt’s SF club, said that the “Smut Peddler Who Cares” did not travel from his home in Beverly Hills because he was tired from a trip earlier in the week to Cambridge, Mass., where he spoke at Harvard University. Flynt did say in a written statement that he does not support the recall.

“We were hoping to the last minute. We’re disappointed,” Hathaway said about Flynt’s cancelled appearance. “Had he felt good, had he gotten the whim, he probably would have come up.”

Others scoffed at the campaign rally and tepid PR ploy. Three middle-aged men walked out of the club around 5:30 p.m. The question of whether they were there for the recall rally was met with laughter.

“Hardly,” said one man who declined to give his name. “I’m a Republican.”

One self-proclaimed regular called the recall effort “a Republican joke” while rating Flynt’s no-show a political tradition that translated into a good publicity stunt. Besides, said the 55-year-old, “Beers are $2 tonight. Normally they’re $6.50.”

As more people started to file in around 7 p.m., toward the end of the scheduled two-hour rally, another dancer, who said her name was Sunseray, said the only reason the men were there was for the $2 beers.

“The recall is a waste of money and a waste of time,” the 20-year-old said, adding that she definitely wasn’t voting for the recall or for Flynt. “He doesn’t pay my bills,” she said.