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.

[sruleoflaw]

I hope McClintock stays in (and Simon gets out). Wow, your thinking is great: let the Dems control the State Legislature and a Kennedy liberal control the governorship. Did you like Arnold's comment that the government needs to provide everything for the people? Karl Marx couldn't have said it better.

[nopardons]

If you live in THE most Republican state, then WHY do you have so many RINOS elected ? Is it, perhaps, that YOU don't actually understand what RINO means ? No, it does NOT mean an immitation Conservative. Republican is NOT just a synonim for Conservative. The GOP is NOT wholely a CONSERVATIVE party.

RINO = Republican in name only. Mayor Bloomberg, of N.Y.C. is a damned RINO. OTOH, Rudy Giullian is NOT a RINO, but a moderate Republican.

Words and terms have actual meanings. To change/corrupt the meaning, because of your own bias/stupidity, doesn't invalidate the original/true meaning of a word or term.

[carl in alaska]

Bush could win California against a weak Democrat candidate. If the polls are close in the weeks preceding the election, the GOP base will show up to vote and GWB could win. In 2000, Gore had a 5-7 point lead in all the polls, Bush spent his campaign time elsewhere, and a lot of Republicans didn't even vote. Terrorism and national security concerns have changed the political landscape and the California vote should be really close in 2004. Go Ahnold Go! The inept, corrupt, idiotic Gray Davis has to go now!

[nopardons]

That will NEVER happen ! And the thread about such an ammendment was BOGUS and has been pulled from FR.

[Dave S]

Do you care at all that Arnold will be the same as Davis on everything?

Do you claim to be a mindreader? Arnold hasnt told you or anyone his positions. I dont expect he will announce many, if any of his positions until sometime in September when people start to pay attention to politics. Right now its all horse race and he's DOMINATING the NEWS, so why try to talk substence. I dont see that its done McClintock or Simon any good. I bet less than two percent of the California electorate could list five things that either McClintock or Simon would do to deal with the financial crisis. Do you? More mind reading or do you have poll data?

[danmar]

You know, I don't see how Schwarzenegger is better than Davis

Let's see...1968, AS showes up, learns the language and the ropes, makes a steady 1Mil+/year eversince, pays taxes back in the states coffers, contributes to misc. charities and so on...

Davis, a carrer leech, never held a real job in the private sector, still on the public dole and milking the system ever since he was born and bullshitting you and me all the way to the bank. Managed to bankrupt the 8th largest economy in less than 5 years, with his so called "experience".

And you tell me there is no difference between them two? Ha!

As for AS hiring/consulting Warren Buffet one of the greatest investment geniuses on Earth, what's wrong with that? One needs to surround himself with financial geniuses like Buffet to fix this giant mess our esteemed Governor saddled us with!

[Keith in Iowa]

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?

If Califorina were a 3rd world country, Davis would have been taken out by a general by now. What's going on is a long, drawn out, bloodless coup d'état. And the media overcoverage has gone arse-over-teakettle over something that I have little more than passing interest in. I’m apathetic, and I don’t care.

[Dave S]

It really bothers me that it seems like the news media has decided he is the most important candidate to cover. I hate the way the dismiss the others. What makes Schwarzenegger smarter, or more qualified than Gary Coleman?

No because Arnold has succeeded at everything he's tried. He made his first million in real estate well before he ever got into movies. Arnold is one smart cookie and he has been preparing for this entrance into politics for twenty years. He also has been involved in Republican politics for sometime. He actively campaigned for George Bush Senior when doing so was definitely not cool, even in Republican circles.

In addition to his intelligence and drive, he has a rolladex that would probably compete with Bush's. He also has proven ability to sell his programs to the California electorate (regards of whether you like the program, he did get it passed with broad support).

[Delphinium]

In Idaho everyone knows that to be win you must run as a Republican so many times Democrats run as Republicans to get elected. Really! I can name some who actually were registered Democrats until they decided to run for the legislature.

I also believe the open primary is a problem. Democrats actually cross over to help us pick the Republican candidates.

The GOP is NOT wholely a CONSERVATIVE party.

I know this, but actually the Idaho Republican Platform is pretty conservative, and we Idaho Republicans would appreciate elected officials who respect the platform. I would especially be happy if they respected the Constitution. I can tell you that no one who admits they believes in gun control could win here.

[Joe Hadenuf]

What's going on is a long, drawn out, bloodless coup d'état. I’m apathetic, and I don’t care.

Er, OK.

[EternalVigilance]

Where are FR's Second Amendment folks?

Excellent question.

And the pro-lifers. And the property rights folks. And the tax reformers.

Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their country...

The RINOs are running our Party hard left towards a cliff, and if we don't stop them, the whole country is going to pay the price for many years to come.

[nopardons]

As I'm unfamiliar with Idaho politics, I'll defer to your knowledge. Still and all, don't judge other places, nor other people, by your own view of things Idaho. K ? :-)

[danmar]

Does that bother you?

Chill out PKM, don't overheat your engines. Sheeesh!

[CyberAnt]

What's the hurry - it won't hurt anything to wait 5-6 weeks - not that I can see.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? I didn't know 16 was a single digit ..??

[danmar]

Not to mention that Arnold is very popular among Hispanics. Polls will show this soon.

I agree with this statement 100%. The majority of Hispanics are all in this "macho" stuff, just by their culture and who else is better suited to represent that than the "Terminator"!
I would dare to say, that AS has at least 85% of the Hispanic vote already in his back pocket!

That lardass Bustamante with his Aztlan rhetoric has just about "0" chances against AS. Mark my words!

[Delphinium]

I don't think I would have a problem not judging other places if who other places elect didn't affect us here in Idaho so much. Idaho is one of the fastest growing states, and most of the new comers are coming from leftist leaning places like California.

[nopardons]

Not all Californians are lefties. You paint with far too broad a brush. And, if they're emmigrating to Idaho, doesn't that then imply that they want to get away from LIBERALVILLE California ? They KNOW that Idaho isn't Washington state ( where some Californians go )and is NOT " LIBERAL ".

You sound like a " nimby ", or a Knownothing ( that's the name of an old political party; not a slur ! ), who thinks, well, I've got mine, to heck with the rest of you.

Didn't Mark Furman move to Idaho ? Is he a " liberal Californian ? Are the cops, who move there, liberals ?

You are myopic, biased, and confused, it seems to me.

[CyberCowboy777]

while I won't go 85% I see Arnold getting a large hispanic and black vote.

Arnold is the Democrat ticket