[calcowgirl]

I know we all would love for the Governor of California to be a staunch conservative . . .

I'd settle for someone that embraces at least 75% of the Republican platform.

I think Arnold is about as good as you're going to get realistically given the demographics of that state.

Hogwash. The demographics are no worse than they were when Reagan, Deukmejian, or Wilson were elected.

California - Voter Registration for Gubernatorial races:

   Year     Democrat   Republican    Other      Total
   1966      56.6%       40.2%        3.2%     100.0%     Reagan         (R)
   1970      54.9%       39.8%        5.2%     100.0%     Reagan         (R)
   1974      56.6%       36.0%        7.4%     100.0%     Brown          (D)
   1978      56.6%       34.2%        9.2%     100.0%     Brown          (D)
   1982      53.2%       34.9%       11.9%     100.0%     Deukmejian     (R)
   1986      50.8%       38.3%       10.9%     100.0%     Deukmejian     (R)
   1990      49.5%       39.3%       11.2%     100.0%     Wilson         (R)
   1994      49.0%       37.2%       13.8%     100.0%     Wilson         (R)
   1998      46.7%       35.5%       17.8%     100.0%     Davis          (D)
   2002      44.6%       35.2%       20.2%     100.0%     Davis          (D)
   2003      43.7%       35.3%       21.0%     100.0%     Schwarzenegger (R)
   2006      42.7%       34.4%       22.9%     100.0%     Schwarzenegger (R)

[dfwgator]

I think that's a bit deceptive, the Rats have gone so far to the left, that it's driven a lot of Democrats to be Republicans, the GOP in California is much different than it was in Reagan's time.

[goldstategop]

The good news is the Democrats no longer have a majority of registered voters. The bad news is enough independents still lean Left to tilt this state Democratic in most statewide and federal election contests.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[pogo101]

It's an excellent point on the hard registration numbers. But the center of the Democratic party (as manifested in CA, particularly) is far, far to the left of what it was in decades past, IMO, whereas the GOP either is in about the same spot ideologically or, perhaps, also slightly left. A Ronald Reagan could win today because he was such a Great Communicator. I doubt, however, that Tom McClintock can win the governorship even in a perfect campaign -- although I look forward to voting for him either way.