Posted on 12/18/2004 12:56:18 PM PST by yonif
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested in a German newspaper interview, that the US Republican Party should move "a little to the left", a shift that he said would allow it to pick up new voters.
Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has taken an unorthodox approach since winning office last year - standing by a promise to toe a conservative line on fiscal matters while veering leftward on social issues such as gay rights and the environment.
In an interview with Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily, Schwarzenegger said: "The Republican Party currently covers only the spectrum from the right wing to the middle, and the Democratic Party covers the spectrum from the left to the middle."
"I would like the Republican Party to cross this line, move a little further left and place more weight on the centre," he was quoted as saying.
"This would immediately give the party 5 per cent more votes without it losing anything elsewhere."
Schwarzenegger was guarded on suggestions that he harbours presidential ambitions, saying only that a debate on whether the constitution should be amended to allow foreign-born citizens to run was "overdue".
Schwarzenegger became an American citizen in 1983, 15 years after he emigrated from Austria.
He has said he'd consider running for president if such an amendment passed, but has also taken pains to say it shouldn't be created specifically for him.
"I would like people to remember me as someone who raised standards, wherever I got involved," he was quoted as saying.
"I brought bodybuilding from nothing, I made the action film a genre, and the same goes for politics - I want to do things that no one believed possible. I would like to bring people together as governor."
So is Rudy G. and john mcCaniac. We can't let these pied pipers redefine the right and move us all further left. Rudy at least, has been shamed off the national stage-for the moment. But, he'll be back.
You said it. When the right feel betrayed they stay home and don't vote.
I haven't noticed any good traits in this one yet.
Along with his left-of-center supporters here on FreeRepublic.
No, no, no some more.
Just what we need - move to the left, so then the Democrats can just bring out the old hammer and sickle emblem.
I am 100% sick of A. Schwarzenneger. Not that I expected much.
"Go left"
Yeah and watch all the CINO RepublicRats [BOTS] rally around that cry on FR. Anything for the "party" and the Republic be damned.
Could we be seeing a RHINO strategy developing here? Cultivate and puff up the Arnies and McCains, in order to guarantee a liberal victory in 08? Remember all the gushing by Couric and crowd, for Powell as president in 2000? Could Arnie be the proverbial " wolf in sheep's clothing"?
Hey! We California FReepers wouldn't be happy with that.
BTW, how's things under Governor Rendell these days? ;O)
I think the left should make a BIG move to the right.
"Heah me now, and believe me nevuh..."
So all the Republicans have to do is give up their principles and enact the Democrat agenda and they will win, huh? No thanks.
Most of the Hispanic illegals I know are hard working people, and religious...just what this country needs more of.
When a RINO tells the GOP to go left, pretend you are hard of hearing and ignore him.
The democrats don't cover the middle at all, they only have a few politicians who are in the cent, but will never be higher than they are now.
Any part of the Constitution can be altered by the amendment process. For example, the Senate used to be chosen by the State legislatures, not by direct vote.
Hey Arnie- you finish fixing Kalifornia and then worry about other things.
And NO WE WILL NOT CHANGE THE U.S. Constitution so you can run for the White House!
I will agree that legal Hispanic immigrants appear to be hard working (as well as possessing many other conservative values). And, as new immigrants voting at 40% Republican, there is an excellent opportunity to swing them to 50%+ Republican -- as we seem to share the same values, aside from their reliance on handouts, which is understandable as newcomers.
That said, I am in favor of a sane guest worker program and controlled matriculation of immigrants. I am not in favor of any special treatment for lawbreakers. It remains to be seen where President Bush comes down on this issue, but we have already seen troubling signs.
Whether you want to admit it or not, flyover country can't save our asses forever.
Remember that it shouldn't have been that close...even with Lurch the opponent.
You get a real celebrity charmer as a candidate and you might have problems.
Hispanic base definitely necessary. Cultivate the hell out of it.
Don't forget, Castro could croak during this term too. (A bonus?)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.