Schwarzenegger Outcome Could Affect Bush in 2004 (McClintock & Simon to quit?)

Washington Post ^ | Aug. 14, 2003 | Dana Milbank and Mike Allen

[FairOpinion]

In the best scenario for Bush, Davis is ousted, Schwarzenegger triumphs with a united Republican vote and California's bleak fiscal situation begins to improve. With the governorship in popular Republican hands, the state's 54 electoral votes, once a lost cause for the GOP, could come within Bush's grasp in 2004.

Alternatively, if Schwarzenegger's candidacy implodes, it could leave the Republicans without an obvious candidate to face reinvigorated Democrats.

Don't expect Bush to say that publicly, however. Bush aides believe that appearing to meddle would backfire and boost Democrats' efforts to link the California recall to the Florida recount. Still, California Republicans say, lawmakers and others tied to the White House have been putting what one called "heavy pressure" on Simon and McClintock to drop out -- and one GOP strategist close to the White House expects one or both to quit.

[George W. Bush]

The fact that in the Free Republic poll, 53% support Arnold, and only 32% support McClintock shows that...

Shows what? LOL.

To think that a Freeper should actually suggest that we take the results of any online poll seriously. Stop, stop. You're killing me...

[PhiKapMom]

On the other hand, supporting McClintock, when that support may result in a disastrous leftist Democrat win seems more a "Republican In Name Only" thing to do.

Absolutely!

[Munson]

Buffett may have warped economics, but hes a major player in the stock market.

[George W. Bush]

What makes Schwarzenegger smarter, or more qualified than Gary Coleman? Because Gary is short, and black?

There are other reasons. But those are the primary ones. Actually, the Coleman candidacy (a rival Hollywood candidate) inadvertently raises this question once Arnie got into the race. Is the difference that one is a successful celebrity and the other isn't since neither one has any real political experience and they hold generally expedient policy views?

I find FR has been rather strangely silent on the idea that a celebrity of such stature may be elected governor of California and may use that platform (or be used by anti-gunners) to campaign for further restrictions on gun rights. He's already on record in favor of more restrictive gun laws. Where are FR's Second Amendment folks? The anti-gunners are definitely going to look to quote Schwa has made on expansion of gun control. His election would bring a very big name to national prominence as a public advocate of gun control, just at the time when the gun-control lobby is struggling to survive and we had hopes of seeing them wither away.

[BillyBoy]

>> Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and New Mexico all had Republican governors in 2000. All those states voted Democratic <<

Shhh....stop using logic with the RINO apologists. Don't you know that an experienced, issue-oriented guy who was defeated by LESS THAN 1% statewide "can't win".... but a guy who was wiped out by over 12% "will sweep California" as long as Arinold is in office?

[Dave S]

A larger than life Arnold victory in CA, steadily improving economy, WMD evidence and success in Iraq...all will flatten the dems this fall and provide a mandate for GW to finish the job.

Darn right the Dems will be super discouraged. If they cant even win in California, what's the use of even getting out of bed (er, I mean going to the polls).

[CarmelValleyite]

Re the smarts of Gary Coleman v. Arnold S. --- yesterday I heard Coleman on the radio with Larry Elder or Al Rantel, I forget which one... Coleman was asked some basic questions, like "who is the Vice President?"

Guess what, Coleman did not know the name of the Veep --- THAT'S just one of many things that convinces me Arnold is better qualified for any political job than Coleman. In addition, Coleman giggled his way through the interview, even admitting that he knows he has no chance, nor does he care. He must've said "I'm having fun with this" about eight times.

Well, we in CA are NOT having fun -- we're serious about this Recall and nothing would please many of us more than seeing Davis go down to defeat even after having Bubba advising him throughout this process. Now THAT'S fun!

[Delphinium]

I really haven't heard much of what Coleman believes, but it can't be that much more liberal than Arnold is saying he is.

Would we support George Clooney if he ran as a republican?

[BillyBoy]

>> On the other hand, supporting McClintock, when that support may result in a disastrous leftist Democrat win <<

As opposed to who YOU want to put in the Governor's mansion?

"Hillary Rodham Clinton [is] here to talk about her new book, which is really terrific actually..."

[nopardons]

Gary was on Hannity's radio show the other day. He admitted that he not only didn't know who the V.P. is, but that he doesn't vote and that his FAVORITE/MOST ADORED President, is ................... JIMMY CARTER !

OTOH, Arnold campaigned for Bush the elder and has actually voted.

[Delphinium]

Well, we in CA are NOT having fun

Okay I agree with you there, but do you really want a RINO? I live in Idaho, (the most Republican state) and I am fed up with RINOs'

[carl in alaska]

Schwarzanegger should join forces with Simon and McClintock, and announce that Simon will be his Chief of Staff while McClintock will remain in the State Senate and become his legislative point man. They could run a commerical with all three and call themselves the "three amigos." Just mix a little humor in with the politics.

Simon is a really bright guy and was hideously smeared by Davis and the LA Times during the election last Fall. He'd make a great Chief of Staff for Ahnold. Go Ahnold Go! You will beat Bustamante and the Davis smear machine.

[Sabertooth]

In the best scenario for Bush

I can't think of a preoccupation less relevant to California, and our recall and replacement elcetion, than what scenario might be best for President Bush.

He's got my vote, as of now, on the basis of his foreign policy, but this President has never been a friend of California. The open borders Wall Street Journal ain't any better.

[Dave S]

Why should two candidates who have solid platforms defer to a celebrity who has none and - for all intents and purposes - is recruiting from the Democratic party?

They only polls I have seen by party show that Arnold is currently getting 31% of the Republican vote and only 10% of the Dem vote. It didnt give Independents. So Arnold is taking disproportionately from Republicans.

[Joe Hadenuf]

So far, the only good thing about all this the Bryant & Peterson cases are much less in the news.

That's all you see here? As the people of California get ready to politically hang the the most liberal leftist governor in the country?

[montag813]

Arnold will be President by 2012, an Amendment allowing foreign-born citizens to be President having been long since ratified by then (with both he and Jennifer Granholm in mind).

[montag813]

Actually if they would withdraw now gracefully, that would actually be good for their future political ambitions

Agreed 100%, after all SOMEONE has to take on Barbara Boxer, and it won't be Gary Coleman.