Arnold Schwarzenegger Would Get 25% of the Vote If Californians Voted Today

Drudge Report ^ | 9 August 2003

[Hal1950]

Arnold Schwarzenegger Would Get 25% of the Vote If Californians Voted Today

California voters would remove Governor Gray Davis from office and replace him with Arnold Schwarzenegger by a 19 percentage-point margin if the election were held today, according to a TIME/CNN Poll.

Schwarzenegger leads Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamanate, his closest competitor, by a 25%-to-15% margin. Trailing were State Sen. Tom McClintock (9%), former candidate for governor Bill Simon (7%) and (tied with 4%) Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, columnist Arianna Huffington, and former Major League Baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein beat Schwarzenegger to replace Davis, 22 percent to 20 percent, if she had been a candidate, according to to TIME/CNN survey.

But California voters are not convinced that the Austrian-born action hero is capable of governing the state: 45% think he is, but many (55%) think he isn't capable (39%) or are unsure (16%). Schwarzenegger is not perceived as falling into any ideological camp: more see him as "moderate" (40%) than either conservative (23%) or "liberal" (19%).

The TIME/CNN Poll, conducted Aug. 8, surveyed 508 registered California voters by telephone. The margin of error is +/- 4.3%.

Developing...

[anniegetyourgun]

Geez...at the very least you'd think the co-worker could support the only guy in the running who represents true DEM values - Larry Flynt.

[Mr. Mojo]

(tied with 4%) Hustler publisher Larry Flynt,...

LOL! One out of 25 CA voters would vote for a captain of the hardcore porn industry?

[Keyes2000mt]

About the same as Bill Simon coming from 30 points back to beat Riordan a couple years ago.

[edchambers]

Well, as a life time Californian who wholeheartedly supported Simon in the last election. I have to be pragmatic and support Arnold

I agree, most conservatives know Simon or Mclintock would be a better man for the job BUT you have to get elected to do the job. CA is about as socialist as Sweden do you think Reagan would get elected there? I said it once I'll say it a thousand times I'll take an honest moderate over a crooked liberal every time.

ed

[section9]

Okay, I hate to break it to everybody, but Simon and McClintock aren't going to win squat. Not in this election. The Republican Party in that state isn't strong enough to elect a conservative to statewide office. So, what needs to happen right now is for Bush to get on the phone with Simon, McClintock and that old bastard Ueberroth and tell them to put the interest of the Party first. Pull out and pull in behind Arnold.

Which is a line that might not be appropriate in San Francisco, but it's what has to be done.

Arnold is the best chance we've had in a decade to ruin the Caldem's plans to fully lock in California's electoral votes. I'm beggin' y'all not to screw this up out there.

Of course, I'm a Florida Republican now. We actually like to win an election once in a while, which is why we control both houses of Congress and the Governor's office, despite massive immigration on our own part.

Of course, we can win, or we can do our biannual answer to the Heaven's Gate Cult on Election Day.

Go Arnold!

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Jay D. Dyson]

Because, Jay, McClintock, as great as a conservative as he may be, doesn't stand a chance at winning this election.

Reconcile this opinion with the fact that a horribly-bungled campaign by Simon (a conservative) came _this_ close to ousting Davis less than 2 years ago.

Sorry, I don't buy the lie that a conservative doesn't have a chance.

-Jay

[truth_seeker]

The game is politics. The objective is power. The way to measure who gets the power is between winning and losing.

When humans perform politics, it isn't always the subject of poetry and high minded writings and speeches and phrases.

As you advance from your 22 years, you may become more pragmatic, too. I have.

[Keyes2000mt]

Some people have the arrogant and mistaken supposition that this board is a decisive indicator of well--anything.

I was lurking during Bill Simon's rise to power and very few people on this board were a part of the last minute surge that took him over the top.

In my state we're forming a new chapter of NFRA and it has nothing to do with this board. Never has the decision of an individual voter on this board decided an election, sorry.

If you really want to make Arnold Governor, get to California and work for him.

[Keyes2000mt]

Power to what end? If the game of politics is to seek power for the sake of its own ends, I'll have no part of it.

I'm here involved in politics to make a real difference for this country and where we're headed. I can take a dose of pragmatism and vote for George W. Bush and not Howard Phillips (even though I'm clear with Phillips). This is too much to swallow with good conservatives on the ballot.

[EGPWS]

Arnold is the best chance we've had in a decade to ruin the Caldem's plans to fully lock in California's electoral votes.

I agree whole heartedly! However in the best case scenario, I see McClintock as the best for the position.

No matter what one feels or knows, Arnold IS going to be the next Governor of California which isn't all bad concidering the demise California has been put in with the present administration.

[Dave S]

am no expert on polling, but 508 voters in the very large State of California with this large a field of possible choices doesn't seem like much of a sample.

Its more than adequate for the level of detail it is showing. If they were attempting to show results separately by Democrats and Republicans or by Norther CA vs. Southern CA, then it would be small. However for what is is, a quick statewide snapshot at the beginning of the campaign, its fine.

The statistical error for the given sample is +/- 4.3%, so its clear that Arnold beats all comers at this point. It also shows that simon has "at best" an 11 or 12% share of the electorate.

[Bonaparte]

He is an inspiration, fiscally sharp (Masters in Economics), and larger than life."
___________________________________________________________

Actually... no.

He has a bachelor's degree in international marketing and business administration, which he earned by correspondence from University of Wisconsin, graduating 1979.

I've heard it said that he subsequently earned a masters degree in business administration (Howard University?) but I haven't been able to confirm this.

In addition, he's been awarded several honorary degrees from universities in recognition of his public service and charitable activities.

These would all be laudable things, but I have found no evidence that he's ever obtained even an undergrad degree in economics, much less a graduate degree.

[birbear]

Reconcile this opinion with the fact that a horribly-bungled campaign by Simon (a conservative) came _this_ close to ousting Davis less than 2 years ago. Sorry, I don't buy the lie that a conservative doesn't have a chance.

Because Simon was running against Davis. Davis was a piece of ____ his first term in office, too. Californians are just a bit slow to catch on sometimes.

And it's not because Simon or McClintock are conservatives that they can't win, it's because Californians like excitement and panache in almost everything they do. *IF* there was a longer election cycle, McClintock sounds like the man to get behind, he could probably handle a longer, more drawn out race than Arnold could.


As much as we hate it, we have to admit that, this particular election in particular, is in reality, a popularity contest. I'm not saying I like that, I'm saying that's the reality.

Even if Arnold were to drop out, there's no indication that his support would go to Simon or McClintock. That's not to say it would go to the Democrat either. A lot of Arnold's support would either just dissapear, or would go down to the second most well known name on the ballot.

Again, I'm not saying that it's "right", and I'm not agreeing with it. I'm being practical and pragmatic. It *MAY* be better to end up with "Davis-lite" (although I don't see Arnold being THAT bad), but "Davis-lite" maybe the only viable alternative to actual Davis.

Sometimes incrementalism works our way, too.

[Dave S]

They will listen to McClintock's ideas and make up their own minds who is going to serve the needs of California's economy on their own.

What makes you think they will get the chance. Arnold is going to be the focus of the media coverage. McClintock will have to use paid media and as I understand it, he doesnt have the funds to run a major campaign in an expensive media state.

Also when is someone going to tell him that its very disconcerting to viewers when he stares into the camera for minutes at a time and never (I mean NEVER) blinks. That is as bad as a speech impediment in terms of distracting the viewer.

[Keyes2000mt]

When has incrementalism worked our way?

Please name a specific time in American history where a conservative victory was achieved through incrementalism?

[Bonaparte]

Good post at 37.

See 152. Ya missed one. ;-)

[deport]

I don't think it approaches 100%, no matter how you cut it. Too many others are involved. But it will be interesting to see what the ppl of CA do with their do over.

[Dave S]

Not as long as the so-called *PRINCIPLED* Freepers keep electing *RINOs* like Schwarzenegger, who will sit idly by while *MILLIONS* of *INNOCENT BABIES* are *SLAUGHTERED*!

So, as Governor of California, Arnold will have complete control over abortion in this country? LOL. Frankly I dont see him having any control over abortion. Besides, I heard today that he is AGAINST partial birth abortion which is about all that is in play until the Supreme Court returns the decision back to the states.

[IpaqMan]

I agree that Simon bundled his campaign. Should such a bungler be the governor?

In any case, it is probable that the liberal California voters were not voting for Simon but voting AGAINST Davis.

Personally, I am looking at the big picture. Having a Republican governor who is popular increases the odds that Bush will win California and that a Republican will win a CA Senate seat. Those two positions can really affect abortion and gun control issues. Getting more conservative judges and justices is the SOLUTION.

I really believe that a charismatic immigrant Republican governor will draw Hispanics to the Republican Party.

Concerning the RINOs, though I am far right myself, I am thankful for the votes of the moderate Republican Senators in confirming the Bush nominations and passing Bush's legislation.

I keep in mind that some conservative senators are not aiding our cause with the nominations. They happen to be Democrats.

[Dave S]

If you want Roe overturned why don't you start supporting people who want it overturned? Of course it won't be overturned if you keep voting for Rinos like Arnold Strong.

And what Supreme Court justices does Arnold get to vote on? NADA. Get real. Arnold has no role in the major battle over abortion. His focus is on economics, holding down taxes and creating an environment so business doesnt flee to other states. Support him there and leave your anst over abortion to Senatorial candidates that can actually have an impact.