The Governor is overshooting the middle

FlashReport ^ | 07-22-2006 | Jon Fleischman

[Amerigomag]

It's time for a course-correction. I understand that the strategy for the Governor to be re-elected this November includes firmly planting his flag in the political center and holding his ground. With conservatives holding their noses at some of his policy moves, as the specter of a Phil Angelides' Governorship looms, that strategy is working.

But lately I have noticed that among many of my conservative friends who are involved in politics, the enthusiasm and energy is waning. Oh, these friends will vote. But the enthusiasm to get out that vote and charge the hill for Schwarzenegger lessens with each shift to the left. I know that there are smart strategists at Team Arnold, who get to calculate the trade-offs between increases in electoral support by being a Republican who embraces many liberal positions versus the negative impact that this will have on grassroots conservative and Republican donors and activists.

That said, I feel like the Governor's quest to firmly stake out the middle ground is flawed because the 'middle' is being overshot. That is to say that Phil Angelides is soooo liberal he is redefining the political middle. There is nothing "middle ground" about supporting tens of billions of dollars in government borrowing to support subsidized housing, urban planning, and massive expansion of government lands through parkland acquisition. There is certainly nothing "middle ground" about support for government mandating of prescription drugs prices . Add to this Schwarzenegger's recent opposition to a common sense proposal to put decisions about offshore drilling in the hands of state governments, his strong advocacy of rewarding the illegal entry of foreign nationals by supporting a 'guest worker' program instead of employer sanctions and an end to government benefit for lawbreakers, and a steady tide of liberal Democrats coming into his Administration

[Amerigomag]

Jon Fleischman is editor of the FlashReport and his viewpoint represents mainstream, Republican conservatives in California.

John walks a tight rope between his equally divided loyality to party and philosophy.

If John is angry, a Republican candidate has really stepped it it.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The notion of a vast, moderate, middle-of-the-road voter is just a hooey.

[goldstategop]

There's very little difference between Arnold and Angelides except the former has sworn off tax increases. A liberal opposed to tax increases! No wonder conservatives are unhappy with the choice they have here in California this November.

(Go Israel Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[sheana]

Oh, this life-long California Republican is angry! I am angry at local politicians, state policticians, and federal politicians. Lately it seems none of them escape my wrath.
Arnold will NOT get my vote. He didn't get it last time either. Party above philosophy hasn't worked for me for about 5 years. Neither has the scare tactics of....if you don't vote for Arnold you are electing Angelides.
Frankly my dear I just don't give a dam anymore. They either earn my vote or they don't get it at all. I will leave that part of the ballot blank. I will vote every time, but only those who deserve my vote will get it.
Flame on!

[goldstategop]

I'd vote for NOTA. Its just me but there worse things than I could do than take part in this charade. I'm outta this state for good.

(Go Israel Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[sheana]

I have asked for None of the Above on ballots for years.
We are gone too.....we have about 1 yr left here, maybe less.

[Defiant]

I voted for Arnold last time, although I preferred McClintock. I held my nose, since Arnold had a chance of winning, and Tom did not. But...Arnold has not governed as a RINO, but as a Democrat, and I will not vote for him again. If there are two dems in the race, do you vote for the less liberal one, or do you not vote at all? I won't vote for Arnold, I'll check out the third party guys and see if one is acceptable. If not, I won't vote for guv at all.

This would be a first for me, by the way. Voted straight GOP my whole life.

[SierraWasp]

This horrible "choice" they're attempting to force us into is an electoral disaster and everybody knows it!!! I for one will not forgive the current putsch in the Repellican Party for this until they are ALL GONE!!!

[ExtremeUnction]

Arnold has not governed as a RINO, but as a Democrat..

The good thing about living in California is that 95% of the laws that they pass are unenforceable. Do I drive 12 miles to the landfill to turn in 4 double-A batteries? No. Will I obey the pending ban on cell phone use when driving? No. In California, the best thing to do is to just ignore the legislators and the laws that they pass. I have been doing just that for 41 of my 59 years. I've never even got a parking ticket. Why? Because when it comes right down to it, the state of California doesn't have the personnel or the expertise to enforce its thousands of liberal laws.

[b9]

We are gone too.....we have about 1 yr left here, maybe less.

Well, as one who's planning to stay in CA, I appreciate everyone who'll use their vote unselfishly to prevent an Angelides win.

[sheana]

Well I don't know about you but I still have to live with myself. I have principles. Voting for someone just because they have an R by their name doesn't seem to assuage them lately.

[68 grunt]

He also says he is still supporting the governor, unlike the disruptive ilk herd.

[FairOpinion]

"if you don't vote for Arnold you are electing Angelides. "

===

Like it or not, THIS is the case.

I am sure Angelides and all the DU-ers are very pleased with your decision and that Arnold will have one fewer vote, which improved the chances of Gov. Angelides, who can't wait to raise your taxes, sign the homosexual marriage bill into law, just for starters. And if you indeed will not vote for Angelides YOU will bear responsibility for everything Angelides does.

[FairOpinion]

Fleischman also says THIS in the same article. I urge people to go to the link and read it:

"On a lot of key issues, Governor Schwarzenegger is in line with the core principles of his Republican Party - especially on his opposition to new or higher taxes or fees.

I am still supporting Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor. As his campaign manager Steve Schmidt likes to point out, the contrast between Schwarzenegger and Angelides is stark."

====

Amerigomag, you just pointed out in your first post, that: "Jon Fleischman is editor of the FlashReport and his viewpoint represents mainstream, Republican conservatives in California."

Conclusion: mainstream, Republican conservatives in California DO SUPPORT ARNOLD.

[FairOpinion]

I guess you became an Angelides supporter, huh?

I am sure you'll be very happy when Angelides raises taxes and signs the homosexual marriage bill.

[sheana]

Then those people with the R's by their name need to start running some people I (I am sure I am not the only one fed up) can vote for, since we know the candidates are NOT actually selected "by the People" but from above.
Nuff said on the subject

[b9]

Well I don't know about you but I still have to live with myself. I have principles.

Like I said, I'm grateful for anyone who'll cast a vote against Hillary's candidate.

And FOR Tom McClintock's.

I think Tom is pretty principled don't you?

[FairOpinion]

How about dealing with REALITY and acting like a responsible adult?

In CA there are only 35% Republicans. You can't elect anyone with 65% of the people voting for the opponent. If a Republican candidate can't appeal to moderates and even Dems, they cannot be elected to any statewide office in CA.

CALIFORNIA VOTER AND PARTY PROFILES

http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/JTF_VoterProfilesJTF.pdf


"The Democratic Party currently has an advantage of 1.4 million voters over the Republican Party (7.1 million to 5.7 million) or 9 percentage points (43% to 34%), according to the Secretary of State.

Among those most likely to vote in this year’s elections, Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 7-point margin (44% to 37%), while 15 percent of likely voters are registered as independents.

... the fact that independents are more likely to lean toward Democrats than Republicans (42% to 28%) tends to work to the disadvantage of the GOP in statewide elections."

[FairOpinion]

"McClintock, who is more conservative than Schwarzenegger, backed the governor against conservative critics earlier this year and praised him repeatedly Thursday for his attention to infrastructure and the deficit. "

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1669857/posts


====

Governor(Schwarzenegger)joins ex-rival (McClintock) to form unofficial ticket

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1582768/posts


The 2006 campaign is still young, but Schwarzenegger, the incumbent governor seeking an uncertain re-election, and McClintock, a state senator from Ventura County running for lieutenant governor, look very much like a tag team.

Personal friendship -- and political necessity -- have forged an alliance between the two that mirrors a presidential-vice presidential slate, with each shoring up the other's weaknesses.

Schwarzenegger, a prodigious fundraiser, helped McClintock amass about $500,000 for his 2004 Senate race. This year, McClintock has been invited to meet-and-greets with well-heeled Schwarzenegger donors.

The governor could also help generate publicity for McClintock and earn him crossover appeal with independents and Democrats. If the governor solidly wins re-election, McClintock and other Republican candidates for statewide office could ride his coattails.

[FairOpinion]

McClintock's statement:

"Like many of us, I too have disagreements with some of the Governor's proposals. These differences, however, do not justify the abandonment of our party's responsibility to work tirelessly to reelect this Republican governor and to elect our GOP candidates to statewide and legislative offices.

For this reason, I view any effort to attack Governor Schwarzenegger as an attack on my own candidacy and those of every Republican seeking partisan office in 2006. "

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1568122/posts?page=51#51