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...

[Bonaparte]

You say the unborn are "precious" to you but that you would only find their murder "distasteful." No, they're not precious to you, they are disposal. To me, the killing of these innocents at any stage of development is an intolerable outrage. It makes my blood boil. I'm absolutely unwilling to put any innocent human being to death in order to spare him hardship.

What the state funds and doesn't fund with tax dollars is an entirely separate issue.

[Susannah]

Let's roll with McClintock!

I hope his message will reach more Californians. I don't have a printer, but think McClintock's speech should be printed out and distributed.

[Bonaparte]

"disposal" = disposable

[Bonaparte]

I think so too, Susannah. He's got lots of great stuff at his campaign website and his senate website. Did you see the article I just posted? It's a speech he gave called "Firearms And Freedom." It's a keeper.

[truth_seeker]

"Apparently you have "matured" into quite the dismissive jerk as well."

Dismissive maybe. If you find some reward in calling me a jerk, join your fellow poster, who dismiss Reagan's 11th Commandment.

Do you know about Reagan's 11th Commandment? I take offense to the namecalling by the "real conservatives."

Republicans used to win, when they followed Reagan's lead. Bush follows it, even today. Its good advice, for political grownups.

[Dave S]

Funny but some how I got the impression we were talking about what Arnold or McClintock were going to do about ABORTION. Guess you agree then that there is little that either can do until SCOTUS returns the issue back to the states.

[Dave S]

Was I talking to you? LOL! Butt out hogjaws.......

You are talking to this entire forum unless you take it private. Guess you still have that 10 inch telescope up where the sun dont shine. That will tend to obscure your vision.

[edchambers]

where do you think? the flag with a bear an a red star on it.The peoples republic of California!

California Uberalles
PS sorry I'm not computer literate enough to post a flag but I can learn.

ed

[exDemMom]

You apparently have not been keeping up with Tom McClintocks political agenda, for his agenda is much more conservative than Arnolds is without room for despute!

I know McClintock's agenda, as I get several e-mails from him every week. I like what he has to say. Unfortunately, I don't think he has the name recognition to win this one. Plus, he's not exciting. The perfect candidate would be someone with Arnold's good looks and charm, and McClintock's politics. I could end up deciding my vote on a coin toss...

[Brandon]

Excellent points concerning when the poll was taken, and the significance of that. Another thing worth noting: This is a poll of registered voters, not likely voters. Other things being equal, Republicans are more likely to vote than Democrats -- and I have a feeling that this may be even more pronounced for this election. There is a lot of hatred of Davis, and those people are going to turn out. Contrarily, I can't imagine that the 35% who want to defeat the recall match the intensity of those who want him out. So that may cut in our favor.

It will be interesting to see how things look at couple of weeks from now, when people have had time to digest it all and start really making up their minds. It's all been pretty hypothetical up until now.

[Brandon]

All the same, can you dispute the FACT that Arnold is anti-Second Amendment? I think you'll be hard-pressed to do so. That is one issue I will never give a pass on.

Unless you believe that the heavily-Dem state legislature is suddenly going to start passing pro-gun legislation, and want to be sure of having a pro-gun governor in place to sign it, this is a non-issue.

[Brandon]

Some will do exactly that, no doubt. But their votes on Question #2 won't be counted. According to the applicable law, a "yes" or "no" vote must be cast on the recall question; otherwise, the vote on the second question will not be counted.

I believe a Federal judge threw this out last week, and ordered the Sec of State to count all votes on Question 2, even if no choice was marked on Question 1. Anybody able to confirm?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Its math, Jay. Dems have a 1.5 million voter edge on registration (lets not forget that extra number of 150,000 registered Greens), and there are over two million official independents. Under your scenario where all other GOP candidates drop out and endorse McClintock, McClintock can get every single GOP vote cast, and he still won't win. On the other hand, a candidate running toward the middle like Arnold will garner a good number of those independents, and will gank some democrats in the process.

[Brandon]

Another example of poor writing. "45% of people think he is capable of running the state, but many (55%) think he is not (39%) or are unsure (16%)." Just what the heck does that sentence mean?

It's spin. When you sort it out, it says that a plurality of 45% think he is capable, 39% don't, and 16% are undecided (and presumably willing to listen to either side of the argument). The person writing the article couldn't bear to put in print that the plurality thought Schwarzenegger was up to the job, so he played with the numbers a bit.

[ForOurFuture]

As a very interested observer all the way across the country, I just gave $25 to McClintock. California needs a conservative, not a Republican.

[Brandon]

You know, I just read every post in this thread. Disclaimer: I don't live in California, and never have.

But I think you are doing just exactly what the Dems want you to do -- all of you. From what I could tell from the news coverage, the recall got certified because Davis is corrupt and is bankrupting the state. That should be your focus. I am not taking sides in this; it isn't up to me who the governor of Cali is. But one thing I heard Schwarzenegger say on Leno Weds night I do remember. Over and over, he repeated three things:

1. California is broken.
2. Gray Davis is at fault.
3. I can fix it.

This is not me endorsing Schwarzenegger; as I said, it's not my place. But on that night, he had the right focus. The Dems want us (GOPers) squabbling among ourselves over extraneous issues, but the real issues are the ones Schwarzenegger listed, and any candidate who wants to win better stick to that script, and not let himself get distracted. Because that's just what they want. They want you fighting among yourselves instead of focusing on the real enemy.

And that's all I've got to say on the matter.

[Impy]

Simon needs to quit. He had his chance.

[cubreporter]

Exactly. Abortion is a terrible thing and I want no part of it so I DO resent my tax dollars going to support it. If I want an operation I don't get it through other people's tax dollars. Abortion should not be paid for with monies from people who oppose it.

However we can't not vote for someone because they happen to be for something or not be for something. It has to be a broad brush I think. Oh well, that's me. :)

[EGPWS]

I know McClintock's agenda, as I get several e-mails from him every week. I like what he has to say. Unfortunately, I don't think he has the name recognition to win this one. Plus, he's not exciting. The perfect candidate would be someone with Arnold's good looks and charm, and McClintock's politics. I could end up deciding my vote on a coin toss...

True! As I have posted earlier, IMO, Tom McClintock would do more to get CA out of the Gray Davis quagmire they have found themselves in, however, Arnold WILL be the next Governor of the Great State and this will prove to be a massive improvement.

What is unnerving about Arnold is, the day he announces that he will run, one of the first things he says is "the children" come first. It's a fine and noble attitude however when I hear a politician talk about "the Children" I have this habit of placing my hand over my wallet.

[EGPWS]

Against strict gun controls. He is for the assault weapons ban. He is against partial birth abortion. I am not an idiot; I am aware that he is for abortion in other cases. Face it, a true pro-life person won't win. All I am saying is that Arnold is not the devil like you McClintock people are trying to make him out to be. This information was posted in a thread earlier today.

I haven't nor do I consider Arnold a "Devil" I just feel after learning about some of the candidates and what their agenda is that Tom would be perfect to take on the present concerns of California. Arnold is a breath of fresh air compared to Gray and IMO WILL be the next Governor of Califirnia. He is the only electable GOP'er in the race.

And also I agree!! You are not an idiot!! I have enjoyed your posts for they are very informative and enjoyable. : )