I can appreciate what you are saying. I don't know much at all about the internal inter-personal politics within the party heirarchy, but I do understand a lot of things go on behind the scenes to make things happen. I personally think that the GOP should be actively supporting which ever candidates are chosen in the primary. When it comes time for the rank and file to go to the polls, though, it is a different story.
You cannot argue the fact that ultimately electing someone comes down to voter turnout. Simon wasn't helped by the fact that he just didn't have enough money to mount an effective campaign, but it still came down to people like me not going out to vote for him.
As the public face of the Republican party within the state, Simon was a very bad choice for Governor. He stumbled and flip-flopped, and came across stiff, spineless and just plain doofy.
That is why he ultimately lost.
I am very concerned about the united front against Schwarzenegger that is starting to solidify from the conservative base.
Let's get this straight - it can only have two possible effects: either none at all, or it can ensure a Democrat victory.
If Cruz "Mexifornia" Bustamante capitalizes on this split, then we are all in REAL trouble. Not the sort of abstract trouble that conservatives are concerned with from Arnold.
If this conservative opposition stays a mere annoyance but doesn't affect Arnold's victory, then conservatives may find they have created a wedge between themselves and the new Governor. They are far less likely to get what they want from him when he wins if they keep it up!
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Democrats won't even need to spend much money campaigning against Arnold since the conservatives are aligned with Arianna Huffington in doing it for them. We don't want to give the Democrats any more resources in this election. It is far better to make them expend their energy and money attacking Arnold instead of promoting Davis and Bustamante.