Arnold stopped being a "Republican" at least a year ago. I've given up expecting anything from Arnold. But I will say that by bringing together a diverse group of advisors, he's trying to anticipate all the angles of the debate next year. That's his rationale, and he's not turned over the whole issue to ex-Davis staffers, as most of the commenters on this thread assume.
Some confusion here I'd say.
It is accurate to say that Arnold has:
1) Never been a conservative.
2) Never been a fiscal conservative
3) Never been a social conservative
4) Always supported California's economic engine
5) Always believed in the role of a strong central government
6) Always believed that a powerful, central government is necessary
7) Always believed that local government is subservient to a central government
All those statements are accurate but to contend that Arnold is not a Republican is false. Arnold is a registered Republican and his actions define the Republican Party in California.
That Arnold does not reflect the values of an average Republican in California is also accurate. But in this case, the California Republican Party has left its base, traditions and principles in the wings to achieve victory, rather than the reciprocal.
The spirit of the old Republican Party is still alive and well in the base and the state legislators they elect. It is however, stone cold dead, in the new CaGOP leadership and the Central Committees which support them.
Yes, Arnold is a Republican but it's not your father's party anymore.