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]

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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...

[Clara Lou]

You're right and Arnold is not going to go out of his way to support Bush
And you know this because....

[Reagan Man]

>>>Some of us even remember correctly how he did it.

Obviously, you're not one of us.

[Miss Marple]

Buchanan thinks we shouldn't have gone into Iraq. Buchanan is an isolationist. This is NOT in tune with mainstream conservatism.

[Howlin]

You're not up on the conservative politics of Ronald Reagan I see

Well, I am.

and his great accomplishments as POTUS.

Nobody said he wasn't what we consider our greatest president.

But he surely didn't do everything he promised and he surely ballooned the deficit and grew the government.

[RonDog]

From:

"OUR GOVERNOR can beat up YOUR CANDIDATE!"
- FRN to protest "Stars for Kerry" concert in Los Angeles

REAGAN WAS THE
"GIPPER."

KERRY IS THE
"FLIPPER!"

[Howlin]

it's a jim-dandy of a speech that gets the "faithful" all wound up...

You mean like that speech Pat Buchanan made one time at a GOP convention? :-)

[counterpunch]

Remind me again what Arnold's done to put himself on a par with Giuliani
Keep it in context. I said they are both American icons and Republican heroes. Would you argue that Arnold is an American icon? He was one far before Rudi ever became one. What about Republican hero? I'd say he is, as the man who single-handedly saved the California Republican party. Both men fit these descriptions, but for very different reasons.

No. I'd rather see Bill Owens or Rick Santorum, to name two that quickly come to mind. They are both great politicians and policy makers, but they're 100% inside baseball. The average viewer will tune in and keep watching for Arnold and Rudi. But they would keep flipping channels til they found a "reality TV" show if Owens or Santorum was speaking.

Let me see if I understand this...showcasing an up-and-coming conservative at the convention and winning elections is mutually exclusive. Is that your stance?
Yep, more or less. The convention is Prime Time. It's no time to be fielding the farm league. It's the one time before the election to really reach beyond the political arena and the usual audience of true believers.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Hasta la vista Kerry!

[Howlin]

If you support Arnold's politics, you're no political conservative. Maybe a political moderate or centrist at best.

Okay, RonDog, which are you?

[Amerigomag]

Look, I'm here in Alabama,

Shame on me. I should have known all along. An out of state instigator without a dog in the fight or a knowledge of local political history. All that loud mouth vitriolic nonsense over on the California topic and you live in Alabama.

[Miss Marple]

I agree. The democrats will fill their prime time with every Hollywood star they can herd on stage. Our Hollywood contingent is small, but Arnold is a powerful image.

The idea of the convention is free advertising for the candidate and the party. Arnold should speak.

[Howlin]

It is a battle for the hearts and minds of Americans.

Amen, brother.

[Reagan Man]

The issues facing California can be solved through fiscal responsibility. And fiscal responsibility are found in two of the four points I mentioned --- "income tax cuts&reform, eliminate waste-fraud&abuse". I don't agree with the $15 billion bond issue voters approved.

California is a liberal state and that is the reason Arnold was elected. He is a liberal. If you Californian's are happy with him, I'm happy for all of you. Just don't attempt to pass your Governor off as anything but the liberal he is.

[NittanyLion]

Keep it in context. I said they are both American icons and Republican heroes. Would you argue that Arnold is an American icon? He was one far before Rudi ever became one.

Sure he is - on the big screen. Kinda the same way Julia Roberts is an American hero, I suppose. Of course that in no way qualifies either of them to represent conservatives or liberals.

What about Republican hero? I'd say he is, as the man who single-handedly saved the California Republican party.

Then you and I differ. The people of California saved the CA GOP - not any politician. It's somewhat telling, though, that your initial inclination is toward hero-worship. You've referenced it a number of times on this thread, and now you're crediting Arnold with events primarily driven by average Californians.

They are both great politicians and policy makers, but they're 100% inside baseball. The average viewer will tune in and keep watching for Arnold and Rudi. But they would keep flipping channels til they found a "reality TV" show if Owens or Santorum was speaking.

Like I said earlier, if the GOP opts to go with style over subtance, they'll be speaking volumes about the status of the party.

[Miner from upthread] Let me see if I understand this...showcasing an up-and-coming conservative at the convention and winning elections is mutually exclusive. Is that your stance?

Yep, more or less. The convention is Prime Time. It's no time to be fielding the farm league. It's the one time before the election to really reach beyond the political arena and the usual audience of true believers.

It's a shame you have so little faith in the inherent appeal of conservative values.

[BunnySlippers]

Governor Rino has star power for some in the GOP, but he holds no influence over conservative Republican's. He's a social liberal. His liberal agenda for California is the antithesis of the conservative movement and the base of the GOP.

Bush already has the base sewn up. Arnold will appeal to more moderate Republicans and, most importantly, swing voters. In fact, that's exactly how he won here in mostly Democrat California.

Have Arnold speak!

[Reagan Man]

I said Buchanan has gone off the Republican reservation far too often. Guess you missed that. Pat's more of a protectionist, then an isolationist, but on both accounts, I disagree with him.

[BunnySlippers]

Well, that is one difference between you and me. I speak out against liberals and liberal policies. I want to advance the conservative agenda.

Boy, have we heard that before! If we followed your discipline Cruz Bustamante would be governor right now ... spending up a storm.

[rustbucket]

How will party use Schwarzenegger? [Kerry vs. Arnold?]

How about arm wrestling? How many microseconds would it take Arnold to best Flipper?

[BunnySlippers]

That is the wrong move and would lose Bush-Cheney more votes then they'd gain. Gov Rino's appeal is to liberals, centrists and some moderates.

If Gov Rino ONLY appeals to liberals, centrists and some moderates how did he win in a landslide?

[Howlin]

I'd pay good money to see that.