Why I Am Now Behind Arnold

me

[Brian S]

I'm worried that this 5000 pound gorilla will dilute the platform of the GOP...

The real fun hasn't even begun yet. Wait until nexts years GOP "platform" fight in regards to abortion. Ought to be a real neocon/paleocon doozy!

[Guyin4Os]

What you pragmatic Repubs need to understand is this: As long as we elect pro-abortion candidates to office, our efforts will not be blessed. The blood of millions of unborn children are crying from the ground for justice, and when we continually sacrifice them on the altar of pragmatism, we make ourselves complicit with the ones who perpetrate the deed.

I understand that in California, the "right" to an abortion is written in the constitution and that no governor really has the power to overturn it by executive fiat. However, the office of Governor, as well as being an executive position, is also an educating position. We need to back a governor who will use the bully pulpit to influence pro-life thought in the state. Else, we will continually cede the pro-abortion argument to the left.

California is pro-abortion, in part, because of you "pragmatic" Republicans who keep arguing that we have pacify the left. And now, with a jewel of an opportunity to back a pro-lifer, Tom McClintock, you are squandering it on a RINO. I'm ashamed.

[Political Junkie Too]

I hope that if Schwarzenegger wins, that he has long coattails that will pull true conservative Republicans into prominence in 2006. The problem with CA Republicans is that they are not well-organized into a coalition. Perhaps Schwarzenegger can be the lightning rod that jolts them forward.

Let Arnold pave the way, and let the true conservatives follow in his wake. Steering the "ship of state" is a slow and steady process -- make dramatic moves now but see the results later.

-PJ

[DrMartinVonNostrand]

He's been a candidate less than a week, you've been here less than two days, and today you're posting an article about how you have "slowly come to the conclusion" that you are "now behind Arnold."

Arnold's candidacy has been in the collective concious since before the recall even started. There was even a cover story in Vanity Fair was a few months ago about Arnold being the next Governor of California. So it is really disingenuous to insinuate that he just popped up out of nowhere 2 weeks ago. Just as it is disingenuous to insinuate as I gave my very first thoughts to politics the day I joined this forum.

The whole reason why I am behind Arnold now is only in part due to his impressive popularity. The main reason is because he is the only Republican who will not do harm to Republicans by winning.

These ideas that Arnold may dilute the pool coming from the "true conservatives" is nonsense. I'd rather have "RINOs" voting for Republicans than have them as Democrats voting against them. Period. And besides, the religious-right could use a little counter-balance anyways.

Maybe then some of the electable candidates could make it out of the Republican primaries.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Another excellent essay. You are truly an asset to this forum.

[Quix]

Agree.

I do think Arnold MAY turn out to be much more than a small victory.

IF he manages to shred the political machine in Sacramento--no small task--it will be a huge victory and reallllly serious business. If he just manages to terminally cripple it, it will still be a big victory.

If he 'merely' manages to show up the liberal brain dead democruds as idiots in a few key areas--it will still be a big victory.

If he 'merely' manages to rattle the democruds with some stark jerking into sane reality along some major principles and issues lines--it will be big victory.

If he 'merely' wakes up the dead armadillos in the middle of the road and SCARES the democruds into suicidal chaos and trauma before 2004--it will be a big victory.

IF he 'merely' convinces thousands of citizens that grass roots NON-PROFESSIONAL-POLITICOS CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT--it will be a huge victory.

IF he 'merely' enlists a chunk of energetic youth to stand up for The Republic, sanity and people power vs political machine power in the public arena, it will be a big victory.

IF he 'merely' give some hope to taxed-to-death; Shrillery-Commie-machine mangled citizens--it will be a big victory.

HE'S CLEARLY the best non-politician for the role. And NONE of the politicians could do 1/100th WHAT HE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DO.

PART of his power has not as much to do with his inate skills which are considerable--but WITH PEOPLE'S PERCPTIONS OF HIS SKILLS AND QUALITIES AND THEREFORE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO GIVE HIM SUPPORT ETC.

NO ONE can come close to him on that score.

[Guyin4Os]

Arnold will be as good a Republican as Jim Jeffords has turned out to be.

[Tom Jefferson]

Despite Arnold's popularity, the man who is qualified to run this state and who is a true conservative is Tom McClintock. Arnold, it seems, while a Republican (RINO?)is for expanded social programs (i.e. spending). McClintock is for a balanced budget and cutting of unnecessary State-funded social programs.

Tom

[Guyin4Os]

the man who is qualified to run this state and who is a true conservative is Tom McClintock

Totally Agree. The California GOP is starstruck over Arnold. Instead of doing the right thing and supporting a true Republican, one who can indeed beat Bustamonte, they are taking the easy way out. Going for the easy win. It's lazy, and its disgusting. I have never in my life been so ashamed to be a California Republican.

[b-cubed]

I see Arnold Schwarzenegger as the left coast's version of Rudy Giuliani. They have practically the same political views and what conservative wouldn't vote for Rudy if he ran against Hillary.

[nyconse]

I was told yesterday by another California freeper that California is not really a Dem stronghold-really 50-50 split. I had thought based on the last election, senators, house members etc that it was mostly Dem. However, I deferred to his knowledge of his own home state. Now, I am confused. Is California a Dem state or not?

[Sabertooth]

I may be wrong, but you and this essay smell fishy to me. Not sure if you're a retread, a shill, or both, but that's the way it appears to me.

If at some point I'm persuaded otherwise, I'll apologize.

[Guyin4Os]

I see Arnold Schwarzenegger as the left coast's version of Rudy Giuliani. They have practically the same political views and what conservative wouldn't vote for Rudy if he ran against Hillary

Oh please. Arnold is no Giuliani.

[spokeshave]

Tactically....McClintock and Simon should wait until September 23 before throwing their (bantam) weight behind Arnie...this shuts out late comer dem write-ins...(like DiFi Swinstein)

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Sabertooth has a point - there is something afoul of your timeline, and the fact that you are putting up whole threads all of a sudden is a little off kilter for what we're used to out of newbies.

And before you scold me, remember that I'm the premier PC liberal pro-babykilling, gun banning, boot licking RINO on this board (who has been as enthusiastic about Arnold as anyone could be).

[MaryFromMichigan]

Arnold is the best choice for our party at the moment.
Or, perhaps we can urge Pat Robertson to run- go down in glorious flames, but with our platform faithfully intact.
To repeat my self, Schwarzenegger is a RINO, but that is what it takes to win California.
The big picture is the 2004 presidential election.
A Republican Governor will be an asset.

[nyconse]

He would definitely be elected if he was a Dem-he would turn now if he planned to. Arnold has been a loyal Repub-supported more than a few Repubs financially. Give him a break.

[Guyin4Os]

Is California a Dem state or not?

San Francisco and Los Angeles are Democrat strongholds. But the state really is 50/50. Remember, we had 8 years of Deukmajian and 8 years of Pete Wilson. Also we had 8 years of Ronald Reagan. (moment of silence). The Republicans can once again ascend to leadership of California, but not by alienating the base like the country-club-patrician-pragmatist Republicans are wont to do.

[spokeshave]

DING Ding Dond we have a winner....

The big picture is the 2004 presidential election. A Republican Governor will be an asset.

Can you say SHRILLARY SHUT OUT....be still my heart

Its the BIG Picture here

[george wythe]

Political affiliations of California voters in 2002

Democrats 45%
Republicans 35%
Independents 15%
Other (Greens, Libertarians, etc) 5%

It's also worth mentioning that California Democrats are probably the most liberal Democrats west of the Mississippi;
it's difficult to find moderate Democrats in California, in contrast to the moderate and conservative Democrats easily found in the South and the Southwest.