Why I'm Voting For Arnold Schwarzenegger (Another Conservative Backs Arnold)

Townhall.com ^ | 8/13/03 | Ben Shapiro

[Seeking the truth]

You still have a socialist as Governor.

Hmmmm, is a socialist with a (R) after his name better than a socialist with a (D) after his name?

Yeh, but if the voters get used to voting for the Socialist (R) rather than the Socialist (D), this is a good thing!

You see, applying the same philosophy to solving California's problems will result in a different solution because of the differences between the (R) and the (D).

All whom embrace the above are also bidding on the purchase of the Golden Gate Bridge (it's for sale, doncha know)

[goldstategop]

Its assumes that Arnold is going to be worse than a Democrat. At least we can have some say in an Arnold administration. Rest assured we will have NONE in a Democratic one. Conservatives understand this point very well which is why we're backing Arnold. We're tired of losing and want to turn our state around and lay the groundwork for a conservative rebirth in California. Granted Arnold's not the ideal vehicle to get it done with but he offers one. If we hitch ourselves to his train we will all benefit in the long run.

[GailA]

We in Tennessee had to choose between a moderate Lamar Alexander and a conservative Ed Bryant for US Senate...Lamar won in the primary, so we voted for Lamar for Senate..better a GOP Moderate who you can agree with most of the time than a RAT who you can't agree with even 1% of the time. It becomes the lesser of 2 evils.

Arnie is at least a fiscal conservative and has proven he has business smarts.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Is Arnold likely to turn improve California's fiscal situation? If so then maybe its best to vote for him. If not then Califonian's may assume that a Republican won't do either and vote for another Democrat the next time around. I guess it depends if you think Arnold will have enough coat tails to turn the legislature around. Otherwise it may be best to let California stew in the liberal soup for 3 more years till there is a viable conservative Republican candidate.

[Miss Marple]

I know it isn't legal trickery, but that isn't what the voters will think.

There is an emotional component to this race that I don't think the democrats have realized. Arnold's candidacy is being viewed by a fairly large number of voters as that of a hero who will rescue them. I think a lot of them feel like they are participants in one of his movies, in a way...a larger than life hero rides to the rescue, etc.

To snatch that away from an excited population is not a good tactic, in my opinion. If they do so through a resignation and court cases, the democrats will find that they have really stirred a hornets' nest.

[goldstategop]

I suggest you read David Horowitz's kick ass article this morning. If Arnold runs that kind of campaign he WILL bury the Democrats.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

I'm not talking about his campaign. I am talking about his performance. If he does not improve the fiscal problems signicantly, it could be disaster for future Republican campaign's. And you can bet that the Demoncrats in the state legislature will try their best to foul any improvements.

[JulieRNR21]

I lived in CA for 10 years (1987-97). I would vote for Arnold if I could & I consider myself a conservative Republican.

Arnold can appeal to conservatives by stating that he'll not raise taxes & will cut spending and do something about the illegal alien problem & securing the border.

One never gets 100% with any candidate.....one has to be realistic. Winning the governorship provides an opportunity to break the demonRATs control of the state and then real change that appeals to more conservatives has a chance in the future.

Win one election at a time....change minds....change the future!

[goldstategop]

True. I posted David Horowitz's article and its up this morning. He has a fantastic discussion of why Arnold disclosed he voted for Proposition 187. Its the "silent" issue of California politics. The liberals thought they killed and buried but like Arnold's Terminator, its back with a vengeance. Illegal immigration is a concern to Californians both for the financial hole's its created in our budget and how it impacts in the aftermath of 9-11, on our security. The Democrats ignore this issue at their peril largely because they believe their own press. Look to hear more about it as the campaign drags on.

[Always Right]

Yes, Cal Thomas, George Will and Mona Charen are right about who Arnold is. But I'm backing him any way too. The reason is simple: pure conservatives don't have a chance to win in California.

Absolutely not true. Even in California more conservative issues are winnable. The problem is the GOP just needs to soften their positions a little, not take the other side. Saying your against gay marriage, saying you are against abortion except in case of rape or life of mother, saying you favor a persons right to self defense. The only time conservatives become unelectable is when they are framed as taking extreme positions. Arnold's positions are just too far left to even be considered a Republican. I can excuse a couple positions, but I really don't see why Arnold isn't a Democrat.

[Princeliberty]

The Republican Party is supposed to the the conservative
party that means less government, belief in rule of law
and the constituion.

If someone shows a basic lack of respect for all
three as Arnold does him simply is not a Republican.

Our agenda has to be about effecting public policy
change, not the expansion of government under
a Republican label.

[Princeliberty]

Shame on Ben for putting polls before principle!

[Princeliberty]

We got Tom McClintock to vote for, great reason
to vote!

Look at who Arnold has around him right now.

[goldstategop]

Arnold isn't 100% on our side. But on some issues like illegal immigration and the free market, he's definitely where we are. I'll take a Governor I agree with 50% of the time to one I never agree with.

[alwaysconservative]

When Reagan ran for governor of California, he was very pro-choice. He signed California's extremely liberal main abortion law.

Thank YOU! I've been saying this same thing on several posts, but it gets ignored in favor of Arnold bashing, because Reagan was supposedly a "true" conservative (anti-abortion), while Arnold is not. If Reagan could change his views, why cannot Arnold likewise shift to greater conservatism after seeing the impact of abortion from a governmental perspective?

[goldstategop]

I agree we should have less government. To do that we need to have power. The Democrats will expand government anyway if we remain on the outside looking in.

[Princeliberty]

More like with Arnold in charge of the Party
the Republican in the state won't advocate conservative
principles and so conservative principles will
not be advocated for defended by anyone.

Better to be in opposition and advocate good
principles and convert people and that way
to one day rule.

But in this election if we would rally around
McClintock we could get him in.

Also, for you poll lovers. Your Arnold went
down form 51% Monday to 31% this mourning
in the new poll!

[goldstategop]

Politics is not about following the polls blindly its about taking advantage of an opportunity to advance our agenda far into the future.

[goldstategop]

I don't love the polls. I do like someone who looks like a winner. Yes, I'm aware Arnold's not a conservative but that's exactly why I'm backing him. He offers the opportunity to bring millions of new voters into the Republican Party and to expand the pool of political talent here. In the long run, that's more important than uselessly debating how pure we can be. The latter will get us nowhere; on the contrary, having the Governor's office will help to block the Democrats' plans to impose their socialist schemes on Californians and tie down Democratic money which will help conservative candidates across the country.

[goldstategop]

My thinking exactly. Who is to say Arnold won't listen to us? With him in office we will at least get heard. We will never get a Democrat to give us the time of day.