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I see nothing divisive about standing with Tom McClintock today. ...The Republican party has three excellent candidates to offer voters as an alternative to Gray Davis and the Democratic National Committee.

I agree with you. I agree with everything you've said. What I take issue with the "purists" about is that if they don't get the candidate they want, they sulk, or worse, say "I'd rather have a REAL liberal than a FAKE Republican..." (And most of my comments were aimed at those who would abandon Pres. Bush, rather than comments in the context of the Ca. recall election.)

Those who won't support a Republican because they represent at 20- or 30-degree separation from the true path fail to see the danger of allowing a guy in office who's 180-degrees of separation.

I guess what's really ticked me off is that some folks were ready to trash Arnold before his campaign was 24-hours old. I tried to make the case that everyone should give Arnold some slack until he had a chance to articulate his plan for California. But some weren't willing to do so. It was more important to trash him out of the gate. I've never posted anything negative about McClintock and Simon (other than the likelihood that they're not going to win). I could vote for any, and frankly haven't decided how I'm going to vote. But the "purists" are definitely pushing me in a particular direction...

I don't think Carry_Okie will sulk. He stays engaged, even when he's in serious disagreement with people. I've taken issue with him a number of times, and it was usually I who ran out of points to make :)

Cary_Okie's good about avoiding ad hominem and illogical/irrational approaches to debate, too. I can't speak for him, but as someone who wants to see an independent, honest, and intelligent candidate win, I don't want to see people automatically concede to a less conservative candidate yet. I'm sure that frustrates a lot of people on the right, and it probably frustrates people who just want to know a candidate's positions before deciding.

I'll bet there are intelligent Democrats who have decided to vote for McClintock just because they know he'll stick to fiscal restraint and avoid contentious issues that have nothing to do with bringing jobs to our state, building longterm stability for business and property investment, and defending our borders. I'll bet there are liberal immigrants who like McClintock because he'll ensure that their property values hold!

By the way, I think California property values will see a significant increase in the months after a candidate as fiscally competent as McClintock is elected. McClintock could bump property values up the first day. Schwarzenegger is going to have to prove that he's serious about the economy. I think both are, but McClintock has a more streamlined approach, in a very general sense; maybe that would apply to a laserbeam-like ability to focus on the economy, too.

I guess what's really ticked me off is that some folks were ready to trash Arnold before his campaign was 24-hours old.

Yeah, that's not good. I agree with Duf Sundheim -- we have three great candidates. Californians should be impressed by that alone. The Republican party has its act together, offering such good people. Furthermore, President Bush is acknowledging the died in the wool conservatives by widening his support for the three, as well.

I think the recall is looking good all the way around, and when the dust settles after the election, I hope the two candidates who lose the election will win an opportunity to influence the governorship directly.