[NormsRevenge]

I'm one of many conservatives who voted for Arnold in the recall, despite my preference for Tom McClintock. I found the prospect of Cruz Bustamante in the governor's office horrifying and wasn't convinced McClintock could win. The stakes so too high I though it prudent to back the Republican with the best chance of winning, and so I cast my vote for Arnold. Like other conservatives, I comforted myself with the rumor we'd heard for years that Arnold was really a libertarian. So, although he was squishy on the social issues, at least he'd be hard core on taxes, spending and freedom issues. After all, he was a Milton Friedman fan!

--

The numbers of such folks are growing every day, why do you think we have a choice few here who spam threads to downplay or minimize the points made in this piece.

[King Moonracer]

I found the prospect of Cruz Bustamante in the governor's office horrifying and wasn't convinced McClintock could win.

I was there. Butcher boy and MechA scared the bejeebahs out of me.

[NormsRevenge]

He will win, and the Republican Party will find itself victorious in gubernatorial race but lacking a soul.

I think it was George Washington who said that a political party without principles is nothing more than a conspiracy to hold power.

--

Just Win, Baby! Don't sweat the details! (or the massive spending increases and debt)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. He's married to a KENNEDY. Did anyone really expect him to be anything other than a RINO? ;)

[FairOpinion]

Whine, whine, whine.

The bottom line is still Arnold or Angelides.

Advocating that conservatives stay home will still make it easier for Angelides to win.

The election will be much closer than the polls indicate, because the unions will turn out their base by the busloads. Conservatives staying home may well mean governor Angelides.

STAY HOME IF YOU WANT ANGELIDES ELECTED. Otherwise get out and VOTE FOR ARNOLD.

If you think ARnold isn't conservative enough, wait until socialist Angelides gets into power, coupled with the socialist Dem Legislature.

The naivite of some conservatives is astounding.

[Lunatic Fringe]

And this is the same guy who tells every Republican crowd the same story about how he left Austria to escape its stultifying socialism -- even as he signs neo-Euro socialist bills like the emissions cap.

Having visited Los Angeles several times, I say California NEEDED an emissions cap!

[goldfinch]

Reality is...You can vote for Arnold or Angelides. Staying home or voting for a third party candidate is just opting out of making a decision. So ask yourself...Is California better off with Arnold or Angelides as governor? Vote accordingly. It is that simple.

[ChiMark]

I can understand how deflated the conservatives feel
in California. This absurdity of the mini Kyoto
agreement is enraging to all level headed citizens.
It will be a big drag on industry and more regulation to follow. No more free market.

If you don't vote I would'nt blame you.
Sometimes you can't just hold your nose
and vote for the lesser of two evils.

[plain talk]

Besides the whining I didn't see in the article who he will vote FOR. Schwarzenegger's main opponent supported McHovern and Dukasis and helped elect Boxer and Feinstein. Schwarzenegger is a far better choice than Angelides or the Green candidate Camejo. Elections are about comparative choices. Of course another option is for him to move to a more conservative state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Angelides

[Maelstorm]

It is horrible but it seems to me the National GOP has left CA to its own devices. I personally think that is stupid. Triangulation politics has allowed states that should be competitive to slip further and further into the blue column.

[MikeA]

I won't vote for Phil, but I'm likely not voting for Arnold after the global warming thing. I know you can't govern as an absolute right winger in California and have any hope of winning re-election. But Arnold is veering so far left he's careened off the roadway. This has gone beyond even my ability to tolerate. If the race ends up looking like a squweaker in the week prior to the election, I'll just hold my nose and vote for him to keep that loser Angelides out of the governorship. But I'm not happy.

[stboz]

Vote for Arnold....get Angelides.

Vote for Angelides...get Villaragosa

We're so screwed.

[bordergal]

The two most important bills coming up seem to be the CDLs for illegals and the healthcare bill.

If Arnold signs one of those, he's off the table for me.

[Gritty]

[JohnnyZ]

I'm undecided whether to hurl or ralph at the thought of choosing between Ahnold and a Rat.

[onceone]

You should have voted for Tom McClintock like I did. McClintock was my voting turning point. After 25+ years of voting for the lesser of two evils, I never will again. I will vote for the candidate who best represents my views. If none is available, I wont vote for anyone.

Bustamante Lite in the Gov's office isn't any better in my opinion.

[George W. Bush]

The chickens have predictably come home to roost.

[goldstategop]

Don't vote FOR the Austrian liberal!

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[calcowgirl]

He's signed a non-aggression pact with the government employee unions, promising he will never, ever again try to rein in their power.

Anybody know any more about this one?

[ElkGroveDan]

Great column. I'm just shocked to learn that an old die-hard YAF pillar of conservatism like Matt Cunningham drank the Arnold coolaid during the recall.