[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.

[Dog Gone]

I don't see how Arnold's pro-abortion position will change anything in California. It's not as if the legislature is planning on restricting it and he might veto it.

[dead]

His pro-abortion stance is largely irrelevant in a state executive position.

His pro-gun-control stance is certainly more worrisome in that role.

[DrMartinVonNostrand]

Forget about abortion.

As I have said before many times, and will say again many times more I am sure, abortion is a non-issue. It is only a wedge for politicians to throw red meat to their perspective constituents.

There are only two ways that abortion laws will change: either the Supreme Court is restacked and a they take up a challenge to Roe v. Wade and go against 30 years of case law and precident, or the Congress passes a Constitutional ammendment that is ratfied by two-thirds of the states.

Neither of these things are going to happen any time soon, and the Governor of California has zero influence in the matter.

The sooner conservatives figure this out, the better, because then we can all get on with issues that we CAN change, and we would deprive the liberals of their favorite fear-tactic.

[CatoRenasci]

Get real. And, don't raise issues that are not helpful. California is a state with very liberal mores, like it or not, and most people in California support at least some abortion rights. I think it's a simple fact that NO candidate for high statewide office can win in California on a strong pro life platform. Besides, it really shouldn't be an issue, given the laws already on the books in California. The best you can hope for in California is a fiscally conservative governor who will not be pushing the envelope of social liberalism. I think that's Arnie.

Remember: the first job is to WIN the election. Then you can GOVERN.

[Saundra Duffy]

I heard that Arnold came out AGAINST partial birth abortion and FOR parental consent for abortions. I hope it's true because looks like he'll be our next governor.

[Saundra Duffy]

By the way, isn't Maria Shriver's mother pro life?

[Fishrrman]

There's one major problem with Arnold: abortion

I seriously doubt that _any_ avowed "pro-life" candidate can win statewide office in California again, _ever_.

Abortion -- and a "woman's right" to it (so-called) -- is a settled issue there, pro-lifers notwithstanding.

Cheers!
- John

[joanofarc]

Arnold never said he was "pro abortion"; he said he was "pro choice". Pro choice can be read as: "pro life".
Pete Wilson stated that Arnold was, as he is, anti abortion.

[Fledermaus]

I don't see this as a national GOP party problem. Arnold (notice how everyone uses "Arnold" because we can't or get tired of typing "Schwarzenegger"? lol) is concentrating and will concentrate on California.

This really doesn't effect the national party and the national issues unless Arnold wants to make comments on other issues.

[My back yard]

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.

But, what difference to anyone would his personal opinion on abortion be? the governor in California makes no changes to the abortion issue. This reminds me of the democrats trying to incite conservatives against Bush on issues over which he, as governor of Texas, had no governance.