GOP has star-power dilemma: How will party use Schwarzenegger? [Kerry vs. Arnold?]

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | June 19, 2004 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[RonDog]

.

       www.sfgate.com        Return to regular view

---

GOP has star-power dilemma
How will party use Schwarzenegger?
- Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Friday, June 18, 2004

With less than three months to go before the Republican National Convention in New York City, a prime-time cliffhanger is in the works over whether the Bush camp will use it or lose it -- the megawatt influence and star power of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Among the most sensitive issues is whether Schwarzenegger, a GOP marquee name, will be given a prized prime-time speaking spot at the party's presidential convention August 30-Sept. 2 at Madison Square Garden.

On the pro side: As the party's star actor, Schwarzenegger would get worldwide attention, and -- to the delight of networks -- draw millions of potential viewers to the now scripted-for-television political convention.

On the con side: The White House worries about lavishing too much attention on one Republican elected official who has shown an uncanny ability to upstage the party's star, Bush himself. A prominent role for Schwarzenegger also could anger the Republican right wing, which opposes his social views on such issues as abortion and same-sex marriage.

Ken Mehlman, campaign manager for Bush-Cheney '04, in an interview with The Chronicle, made no commitment on the specific role the Bush team expects the California governor to play, saying only that Schwarzenegger "is one of the great leaders of our party.''

Asked about talk that the White House is worried Schwarzenegger might outshine Bush at the convention, Mehlman downplayed the matter, suggesting that Schwarzenegger is one of many stars in the GOP...

[counterpunch]

After you give your personal blood, sweat and tears in seven presidential campaigns for GOP candidates

Your claims don't amount to very much while you're undermining the current leaders of the GOP, and the entire party with them.
Would some of these "presidential campaigns" be for Pat Buchanan?

and was a member of the NY State Conservative Party

Ah, the Conservative Party. I see. So why are you claiming to be a Republican? A RINO if I've ever seen one.

I forgot more about Ronald Reagan's political career and public life, then you'll ever know.

Obviously. You've clearly forgotten the most important parts.

[Reagan Man]

First of all, I'm not bashing Gov Rino. Just speaking the truth about Arnold's political agenda. If you see that as liberal bashing, what can I say. if my rhetoric upsets moderates and centrists on FR, sorry. I'm simply talking politics here. I doubt Arnold will ever break from being a social liberal. But if he somehow morphs into a fiscal conservative, I'll be the first one to acknowledge it and the first to congratulate him on escaping from the dark side of politics.

[b9]

You're not doing Bush a bit of good.

[Reagan Man]

I'm not undermining anything. So don't get your panties in a twist.

I'm a life long Republican and I support PresBush`s reelection. Belonging to the NYState Conservative Party 30 years ago, means I supported the conservative issues of the day. Dual membership was no problem. Today, the conservative agenda is the backbone of the GOP party platform. Something you obviously know nothing about, mister liberal.

[counterpunch]

Your own numbers contradict your earlier claim

Which numbers contradict that?

If anything, I was too defferential to the pro-life view.

Majority of GOP don't support pro-life agenda

The poll I used was not the optimal poll to cite support/opposition because it was not a straight "yes or no" survey. When given a straight up or down option, both parties are split pretty evenly.

Here is another poll - with striaght yes/no.

All / mostly legal --- All / mostly illegal
Republicans: 40% ------- 58% Democrats:-- 59% ------- 37%

As you can see, both sides are within 10 points of being evenly split down the middle.

[Rider on the Rain]

Wouldn't it be great to see Arnold and Maria at the Republican convention and on the Bush campaign trail together?

[Reagan Man]

>>>You're not doing Bush a bit of good.

Look. This has absolutely nothing to do with PresBush. I support his reelection. That's all that counts. If Bush wants to aline himself with GovRino, I can't stop him. But I can speak out against the liberal political agenda of Arnold. And I will continue to speak out against all liberals, Democrats and RINO`s!

[NittanyLion]

A delta of 20 points between parties is not 50-50. By your logic Montana, Indiana, Kentucky and Kansas were pretty much evenly split between Bush and Gore voters in 2000. It's absurd on its face.

Keep on defending your indefensible comments; every post you make is bolstering my case.

[hinckley buzzard]

("Yawn")
Woulda coulda shoulda. Take a break, pal. You don't have to be annoying ALL the time.

[counterpunch]

Call me a "liberal" all you want, but you are the one who is undermining the Republican party and the President's re-election.
A "liberal" couldn't do a better job at it than you. Way to go, sport!
You sure are a real "Reagan Man" by undermining his 11th Commandment and working against the election of Republicans...

Your insistance that Arnold is a "RINO" is not supported by the facts, and only does him and the party harm, and with it, the President and Republican Congressional condidates as well.

As the graph that I linked shows, the largest percentage of Republicans support abortion, but with stricter limitations.
That is Arnold's position.

The majority of Republicans also oppose same-sex marriage, but do not oppose civil unions.
That is Arnold's position.

That majority of Republicans are against tax increases, and support tax cuts.
That is Arnold's position.

The majority of Republicans support pro-growth, pro-business supply-side economics.
That is Arnold's position.

It would seem to me that Arnold is very much a mainstream Republican, clearly in step with the GOP majority.
You, on the otherhand, I cannot say the same for.
So once again, who is the real "RINO"?

[Tamzee]

I'll match political history and resumes with you anytime.

And yet you still believe McClintock would have won even smacked full force by Davis/Bustamante/Clintons and the liberal media.

So name the last fiscal and social conservative that won a statewide election in California...

[counterpunch]

delta of 20 points between parties is not 50-50
10 points on either side of 50/50 for support/oppose for both Republicans and Democrats is what I would consider a fairly even split. Play some more semantics if you want, but my point is well proven.

Neither party is monolithic in their position on this issue.

And by the way, the latest poll I saw on Fox News had the two sides closer to 3 points on either side. That is what made me think of it to start with. I couldn't find it quickly enough on a google search, and it's not worth it for me to invest the time looking for it.

[NittanyLion]

10 points on either side of 50/50 for support/oppose for both Republicans and Democrats is what I would consider a fairly even split.

ROFL! You're one of a kind, counterpunch!

[NittanyLion]

In other news, the latest polls indicate Hawaii, DC, Montana and Idaho are "fairly evenly split" between President Bush and John Kerry.

[b9]

I support his reelection.

How very sad you truly believe you are by ripping Arnold to shreds.

[counterpunch]

So you think with 40% of Republicans believing that abortion should be legal under most or all circumstances compared to only 22% who think it should be illegal under all circumstances makes the Republican party a "pro-life" party?

You call Arnold a "RINO" for holding the majority viewpoint?
Maybe it's that 22% fringe who are the "RINOs"...

[NittanyLion]

You call Arnold a "RINO" for holding the majority viewpoint?

Seems to me that only adds up to 62%, and so you have a plurality among your self-selected responses. And what of the other 38%? You never did provide the definition on stricter limits - why is that?

Regardless, a 60-40 split obviously contradicts your contention that it's a 50-50 split.

[Reagan Man]

Get this through your thick skull. Conservatives don't vote for, or support liberal politicians. You support Arnold and you voted for him. You're the undermining the California GOP, not me.

Some people support abortion in the case of incest, rape and to save the life of the mother. That totals about 4% of all abortions annually. Arnold supports a womans right to have an abortion. He is pro-choice. He supports abortion on demand. There is no other way of saying it. Partial birth abortions total less then several thousand every year. Arnold opposes PBA. That's fine, but he doesn't go far enough. Arnold calls himself a social liberal and for good reason.

Arnold has not cut state income taxes. Arnold has raised the budget and increased spending by some $4 billion a year. With California in total economic meltdown, Arnold promotes passage of a $15 billion bond issue that raises the state debt and makes future generations pay for the mistakes of todays taxpayers. That is fiscal irresponsibile. Arnold said at the outset of the recall campaign, he wants to get California out of the red and back in the black, so the states social welfare programs can be fully funded. That is the talk of a fiscal liberal.

Arnold is a liberal Republican, aka. "RINO"!

[IPWGOP]

Here ya go!

 

[counterpunch]

You are dismissing 40% of all Republicans.
Maybe us moderate Arnold lovers should all be just as pig-headed as you and form our own party...

Sure, we'd split the vote and lead to the Democrats holding every single elected office in the country, but staying true to our principles is the only thing that matters, even if it means certain defeat, right..?

I mean, hell, what's the point in getting 80% of what we want if we can't get all of it? It's better to get none instead! At least we aren't "selling out"!

Screw everyone else who doesn't agree us on everything. We'll show them. We'll lose, and they'll lose with us!