It is fair to criticize Gov. Arnold for being not conservative...But, I don't know about criticizing him for not helping other GOP candidates.
It is difficult to get elected to a statewide office as a Republican in CA.
Debra Bowen beat Republican Bruce McPherson for the Secretary of State job. I did not see any Bowen ads on TV. McPherson was the incumbent. His name was on every piece of election material sent to CA voters. I guess his problem was that there was "Republican" next to his name in the ballot...
Tony Strickland...I heard his radio ad. He has been on radio many times discussing issues. He is a conservative like Tom M. But, Democrat John Chiang beat him for the Controller position. Who is John Chiang? I heard one radio ad, by LA mayor Villaraigosa, supporting Chiang...The label "Democrat" was next to his name in the ballot. That probably was enough...
There was a strong anti-GOP sentiment this year in America. That sentiment did not bypass CA...CA voters were inclined to vote for Democrats. Republicans had to work extra hard to get votes...Only Poizner and Arnold succeeded in doing so.
1994 was a bad year for Dems. Anti-Dem sentiment did hurt CA Dems. That year only two statewide offices were won by Democrats. Gray Davis won the Lt. Gov. job. Kathleen Connell won the Controller job.
In 1994, I do not recall Pete Wilson going around the state campaigning for other GOP candidates...Yet other GOP candidates managed to win.
That year Phil Angelides lost to Republican Matt Fong for the Treasurer position...I think that anti-Dem sentiment helped Matt Fong that year. In 1998, Matt Fong did not run a good campaign against Barbara Boxer...
I like Tom McClintock...I like to listen to him on radio, explaining issues. But, I am not sure if he will ever get elected to a statewide office in CA. 2006 was the 4th time he ran for a statewide office. (Counting 2003 recall)
By the way, Tom lost to Connell in 1994. 1994 was a not good year for Dems, even in CA.
What if Arnold and Tom campaigned together all over the state? Still, the voters would know that Tom is way more conservative than Arnold...I don't think "independent" voters would have gone for Tom in any case...Those "independent" voters did not want anyone "too conservative".
McClintock should consider running for Elton Gallegly's seat in Congress in a few years...Gallegly stated that he is going to serve one more term. By the way, Gallegly's district is a safe GOP district...
They lost because the heavy Republican districts in Southern Cal. didn't vote in the same percentages as 2000 and 2004. 5 - 10 % less. W.T.H.
Oh Good God, we know aRnold isn't a conservative, hell , he is a lukewarm republican at best, a social democrat at worst which is how he has ruled the last year from his throne... he has pandered to special interests, proposed massive increases in spending and borrowing ,, thanks for all the comments, btw. god help us as he is preparing to tackle healthcare,, how the heck do you pay for that without hiking taxes? borrow even more money?
as to his being lucky to get elected as a republican in this state, his Q factor is his biggest asset, it certainly wasn;t his mastery of the issues.
besides he has said it isn't his job to help grow the Republican party, that he says isn't his job. if he is so concerned about all the people of california including the conservative base, why has he done so little to help the conservative cause much less the gop in general, he has criticized a sitting President and his policies in a time of war.. his actions that he has taken are only intended to advance his causes and agenda, if the vetos have included not hiking taxes or vetoing the VLF or gay marriage, those have been more to provide him cover to be able to do what he is really there for, push the Third Way agenda.
He'll get a slap on the back when he fires all the dems on his staff and starts governing for their right for a change,, screw the lefties and dems,, if he's so dman popular , let him do some good for a change instead of running up the debt and paying off his donors under the guise of Rebuilding California.
I hope Tom does run for the House seat. I would vote for him if I wa in that district.