[MaryFromMichigan]

Right now we should be looking at long-term goals..."

Arnold Schwarzenegger will win and with his wife Maria (A Kennedy) campaigning for him, many democrats will be pulled into voting and remaining in the Republican party.
The Republican party's stake in this is huge.
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.

[Cicero]

There's one major problem with Arnold: abortion. The rest can be dealt with, but that's a very sticky issue indeed, especially if it risks putting another big-tent, pro-abort Republican in a key political seat.

Pete Wilson caused endless trouble over this issue. Maybe Arnie is smart enough to keep his mouth shut, but I'm not convinced, especially married to Maria Shriver.

[Trust but Verify]

Best of luck to the GOOD people in California, whoever they choose to replace Gray-out. The new Gov. will have his work cut out for him. My vote would go to Uberroth, who at least has some experience dealing with troubled finances, which is the biggest problem facing CA for now. While a social conservative certainly could not get elected because of all the fruits and nuts in CA, that is what is needed.

[george wythe]

At this moment, both Schwarzenegger and McClintock supporters should take a deep breath and wait for developments during the next three or four weeks.

If Schwarzenegger implodes, McClintock will be a great insurance policy.

If McClintock does not get any traction, then he should gracefully withdraw from the race and join the winning team.

[Sabertooth]

What's the rush?

[ambrose]

Why I Am Now Behind Arnold

[Sabertooth]

Oh, you've been here two whole days. I can see now that you didn't rush, you've sifted through almost 48 hours of threads and posts, and this is why you are "now behind Arnold."

[RinaseaofDs]

Best analysis of the situation I've seen so far anywhere. I think barring anything big and stupid on Schwartzenegger's part, he'll win.

[Willie Green]

I hate to admit it, but the whole budget crisis is being about as overplayed for political reasons as the federal deficit in the '90s was (and is again). When it comes down to brass tacks, I think even the Democrats will bite the bullet and fix it.

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Oh, I got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day

[Kuksool]

Guys, heck this thread out.

[BibChr]

But Arnold understood the articles of impeachment that were brought were a pretty weak justification

So, you're saying that he "understood" something to be true that is in fact a bald-faced, butt-headed, long-exposed LIE which marks anyone who still believes it as a wild-eyed, ankle-biting, foam-flecked, gibbering, slavering, barking, tittering LOON?

You may be right in commending Schwarzenegger. But not for THAT reason.

Dan

[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

[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.

[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

[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?

[over3Owithabrain]

Looking at the thread title, I thought this was a Morford piece...

[Maelstrom]

ROFLMAO

I hope you do live in California. You certainly do deserve what you've worked so hard to earn.

[Mr. Mojo]

If McClintock had come out strong in his proposed policy statement against illegal immigration and gun control, I'd support him enthusiastically no matter how far back in the polls he is. But alas, he either doesn't have the guts to tackle these two issues or he simply doesn't believe in them. This makes him little better than Arnold, imo.

So Arnold it is.