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I think that Arnold is good for Bush right now, from a PR perspective.

Arnold will deflect the media from their Bush witch hunt and help to restore the reputation of Republicans after being demonized by dims and the media for the last 8 months+.

What I have found totally pathetic is the fact that republicans in power have taken a big step left in recent years, but do nothing to counter the stereotype they OWN of being radical right wing oligarch extremists filled with hatred that are the biggest threat to the US ever.

Why is this? And if someone ever goes out on a limb and fights against socialism, the establishment will leave them swinging from the gallows. Its like a Trent Lott syndrome- they beat him so severely that he will NEVER rock the boat about anything again. It appears as though all Senators are following his example.

Arnold at least says what he is, even if in generalities for the most part now. I found it very refreshing when Matt Lauer copped an attitude and immediately attacked him with a question about money (pin the money on the repubs bit).
Arnold pulled a Reagan and claimed comm failure. The media then went collectively BERSERK about his audacity to defy them about anything. That was priceless. If he continues to handle the press with fortitude, it might lessen their 'kung fu grip' on republican necks.

Anyway, I think 'stirring the pot' on many fronts is good for the party.

<Rant OFF

Yeah, it was a rant.

but do nothing to counter the stereotype they OWN of being radical right wing oligarch extremists filled with hatred that are the biggest threat to the US ever.

Are you sure you are "at war with liberals"? This sets off alarm bells that you trying to appease them, quite pathetically, into thinking that you are a moderate voice of reason. If you are the definition of "at war" with liberalism, than I am switching foxholes and getting closer to the front.

This one smells too "French."

See also, from www.hughhewitt.com:

August 8, 2003
Posted at 10:20 AM, Pacific
REASONS TO SUPPORT ARNOLD:
Rush is reported to be slamming the AS candidacy. I haven't heard him do so, but many conservatives are most definitely doing so, so here are the reasons why center-right Republicans and conservative Republicans should vote for AS:
1. AS can win. The others in the race who would make acceptable governors --Bill Simon, Tom McClintock, and Peter Ueberroth-- cannot marshall enough votes to top the almost certain 25 to 30% that Cruz Bustamante will roll up. Objectivity matters a great deal here, and even if AS hadn't gotten into the race, the presence of more than one "movement" candidate dooms them all. Period. End of story. Arguing this point doesn't change the facts on the ground.
2. AS is best positioned to withstand the Graystopo, as the slime machine Gray has perfected has come to be called. Even if there was only one movement conservative in the race, he would be a target that would be mercilessly mowed down. Complaining about it doesn't stop it from happening.
3. AS does great things for the candidacy of Tony Strickland against Boxer in '04 and of course puts California in play for President Bush. So he's closer to Pataki than to Reagan, so what. A candidate who wins and governs to my satisfaction 65 to 75% of the time is better than a candidate who talks like I talk and loses.
4. Imagine you are Jim DeMint and you need to raise some money. Wouldn't you love to be able to call the Bush people and ask them to get AS on a jet to Charleston for a little $1,000 a head gathering? This is what Bill Clinton does 24/7/365. AS is a hyperdraw, matched only by the President and the Veep. Three such draws is better than two.
5. Finally, the state is in desperate shape. AS is right, businesses and talent are fleeing. Unless the bleeding stops, this economy continues to drag the national economy down, and with them both, the re-elect numbers of the President.
The purists have to get over it and get behind a winning effort. - Hugh Hewitt