Schwarzenegger's liberal views leave GOP flummoxed; pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-gay rights

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 08-14-03

[Brian S]

Washington -- As Arnold Schwarzenegger explodes onto the national political scene as California's great Republican hope, conservatives are increasingly voicing concern over his lack of right-wing credentials.

From talk radio to the pages of conservative journals, Republicans are openly struggling over whether to rally around a man who may break the Democratic lock on state government, or keep their distance from a candidate who appears to be at odds with their core ideology.

[dawn53]

This article is from the SFChronicle. It's a divide and conquer piece of reporting making an attempt to make a win by Arnold seem like a blow to Republicans.

The title should read, "Schwarzenegger's liberal views leave Democrats flummoxed" because the Dems know they can't win against him.

[Austin Willard Wright]

The Democrats also believe that fairy tale that Dubya is for cutting the welfare state!

[wayoverontheright]

Exactly. I prefer to advance conservatism with a nice smile and lots of honey to make it easier for the sheeple to back us.

I too, will get a warm fuzzy the day Arnold is inaugurated, but if he allows Buffet to implement what no doubt will be an extreme liberal economic policy, how would the ensuing disaster under the watch of a "Republican" advance the cause of conservatism?

[goldstategop]

We'll blame it on a RINO. :)

[Kevin Curry]

Sun Tsu wrote two millenia ago deception is part of the Art Of War.

And Arnold is masquerading as a conservative. What does this tell you?

Embracing this deceiver and giving him the keys to the most powerful and influential office in the most powerful state in the nation will give him freedom and opportunity to work greater destruction on the soul of the Republican Party than any of our clearly marked liberal enemies that we hold at arm's length could ever hope to accomplish.

The destruction is already well underway as evidenced by otherwise clear-thinking FReepers being not merely willing but breathlessly excited to abandon all conservative principles for the sake of short term political expediencey.

[Kevin Curry]

. . . the Dems know they can't win against him.

Savvy Dems realize this upcoming recall election is a win-win for them. Even if Arnold wins, their agenda remains secure. And the agenda is far more important than the symbology.

[OldFriend]

Be very careful about reacting to anything in the leftist media.

[carmody]

Exactly. Hillary recently tried to revive the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. Arnold makes her look silly. Suddenly, Hillary seems paranoid. Not to mention, the Clinton's are becoming old news. Arnold is the same age as the Clinton's. Compared to Arnold, Bill & Hill look like stodgy old politicians.

[BibChr]

Part of me thinks it's foolish even to talk much about it until the campign begins and he starts stating positions and showing how he'll run.

Having said that....

Though brief, this is almost worth its own thread: If Schwarzenegger would appoint a couple of genuine, unimpeachably-credentialed conservatives to prominent positions in his campaign, the GOP split (and the election) would be over.

Alternately, if he could get together and work out something with McClintock, ditto. (I'm assuming Simon, whom I supported, and who NEVER should have been in THIS race, drops out.)

My only "on the other hand" to that is that moves like Buffet are arguably pragmatic, and do some Demo/moderate defusing. But it's the conservatives he needs to rally, IMHO.

Dan

[wayoverontheright]

We'll blame it on a RINO. :)

OK, maybe I worry too much about Buffet, but California needs a major overhaul. It needs someone to stand up to the environmentalists, the trial lawyers, and those within govt. who are anti-capitalist. I had hoped that Arnold would be that guy because he grew up in Austria when it had been governed by socialists, and is on record as saying he saw that "govt is not the answer", also his favorite book was Milton Freidman's Free To Choose.

I'll guarantee you it's not Buffet's favorite book.

[Austin Willard Wright]

It could be but I still have the simpler explanation: Arnold agrees with Buffett so he appointed him. With the exception of some Friedmanesque rhetoric and a few good stands (such as his support of Prop 187) Arnold has a very discouraging record. Moreover, he is currently refusing to rule out raising taxes in a a state which is highly overtaxed and where higher taxes are unpopular with the public.

Now....you may be right, but I will stick with the obvious explanation for now. Occam's razor you know.

[Dave S]

So much for morals and principles. What exactly is the difference between demorats and republicans? Each party seems willing to throw out all standards to win an election.

So those of us Freepers who have voted on Schwarzennegger vs. McClintock, etc. have no morals. Do you really want to say that about more than half of Freepers? Or are you just going to say that McClintock and Simon Republicans are too "principled" to vote on anything as stupid as an online poll?

[Austin Willard Wright]

Hey....I like Arnold too....but facts are pesky things such as Arnold's refusal to rule out higher taxes in a state which is already overtaxed and where higher taxes are unpopular. Heck, even Davis wants to get rid of the car tax.

[Moby Grape]

Davis is history...so you are right that, most likely, Arnold will be gov...however, I believe that those who are rejoicing that California may have a governor with (R) after his name are failing to see the down side.

ONLY someone who understands that CUTTING government, CUTTING buisness taxes, ending foolish over-the-edge envoirnmental restraints, and ending tax paid free-everything to illegals, will be able to assure that California does not fall into default. Ann Coutler wrote about this yesterday. If Arnold doesn't have the guts to do what is needed, the state WILL go into default, to the endangerment the nation first, and the GOP in general.

[goldstategop]

Arnold IS a liberal Republican who has a few conservative positions. Its been obvious from the beginning. We're not stupid and he knows it and we know it.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Freeoers know he is a "liberal Republican?" Take a gander at some of the comments here and you will see otherwise.

[goldstategop]

Its like Ann Coulter wrote the other day: Arnold can save California from itself or help push it into the Pacific Ocean. Either way would be good for America. This state is too crazy for the tastes of us folks on FR.

[Dave S]

I was totally for Arnold until he hired Warren Buffet yesterday as economic advisor. Buffet is a guilt ridden, tax and spend liberal, for MORE tax rate progressivity, for the death tax.

What do you want to bet he's on staff to find ways to raise the junk bond ratings of California's bonds so that debt financing costs can be reduced. He may also be on staff so Arnold can twist his arm about Workmens Comp to lead him to find that was a bad idea for a time like this when California was deep in debt. Who knows, but its a certaintly you dont KNOW why he choose him or what his advice will be.

[goldstategop]

If people want to be deluded I can't help them. Even Rush's not against Arnold yet, he's just noting that with liberal Republicans you may not like everything you get. Simple and straightforward.

[wayoverontheright]

ONLY someone who understands that CUTTING government, CUTTING buisness taxes, ending foolish over-the-edge envoirnmental restraints, and ending tax paid free-everything to illegals, will be able to assure that California does not fall into default. Ann Coutler wrote about this yesterday. If Arnold doesn't have the guts to do what is needed, the state WILL go into default, to the endangerment the nation first, and the GOP in general.

Absolutely. Long term, this would not be good for the advancement of conservatism, we need to have just as much fear of a RINO as we would a democrat.

I was for Arnold until he appointed Buffet, now, until I hear of something that would change my mind, I'm going to root for McClintock.