California Needs Conservatism (by Rush Limbaugh)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | August 20, 2003 | Rush Limbaugh

[Timesink]

Listening to some Republicans and conservatives on the possibility of winning the California governorship lately has been dismaying. "We don't really want to win this race. California is in such a mess it can't be fixed and we will be tagged as failures if we try. Let the Democrats continue to stew in their mess." Or a variation on this theme: "Whoever wins will not have a mandate so he/she will not be able to govern, especially with the huge Democrat majorities in the California legislature."

[CyberAnt]

"The good thing about Arnold is at least he will confuse the liberals"

What ..?? Why would he do that - he's one of them ..??

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

I believe I acknowledged that Davis is incompetent. But, this will almost assuredly get you a new governor, but when selecting a replacement--he's not on the ballot!!

There is no shortage of people who would rather drink Draino than pull a lever for a Repubbie, and a lot of those folks live in California. If Arnie can break some bad habits, he won't be all that bad for both the state and the country. I doubt he can run the state worse that Davis or Bustamonte.

[Pubbie]

Come to your senses man - Arnold is a Liberal.

He's NOT Moderate. Mitt Romney is a Moderate Republican. Condoleeza Rice is a Moderate Republican.

Arnold is a LIBERAL REPUBLICAN.

The only difference between him and Bustamante is that Arnold will be able to raise taxes higher than Bustamante could because Arnold as a "Repblican" Governor would be able to force enough GOP Senators to roll over and vote for tax increases.

[Jim Robinson]

"But Jim, how do we do that if Cruz gets more votes, because we're so divided? That's what I worry about."

Good point. And the obvious solution is that all conservatives and right-minded people (regardless of party) should rally behind McClintock. And the sooner that happens, the sooner Simon and Arnold will fold up their foundering campaigns and endorse the best conservative for the job. McClintock.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

' Rush has turned his back on the GOP and furthermore I'm pretty sure doing it because of business reasons and not out of principle.

When he got his implant and could hear again one of his first ordersof business was to repudiate Dubya and the GOP.

It was during a sweeps period and you can't tell me that he didn't do it ot start a buzz and boost his listenership.

As Haley Barbour said, I was born at night, but not last night."

Limbaugh has to attract liberals to his ESPN gig. He can't afford to alienate half the viewing audience,so he has to burnish his anti Republican bona fides, by running down everyone and anything, associated with the party.In his interview with Sports Illustrated,Limbaugh said he believes the ESPN spot is just the beginning of his football career. To coin a phrase," It's the football, stupid."

[quidnunc]

jjbrouwer wrote: Meanwhile, I will not be supporting Arnie's campaign for the governorship. Gary Coleman is a far more worthy candidate.

I'm sure Arnold will be crushed, after all he always speaks well of you.

[Hoverbug]

Arnold will be able to raise taxes higher than Bustamante could because Arnold as a "Repblican" Governor would be able to force enough GOP Senators to roll over and vote for tax increases.

DING! DING! DING!!! We have a winner!

Hb

[CyberAnt]

"Clinton machine working this site"

I had thought it was Arnold's group, but today on Rush's show, a guy called in and said a statement which reminded me of something the Bush-bashers used to say before Bush was elected - it's something like, "I agree with what Bush is saying, but he'll never win". As soon as the guy said it - I nearly fell over. That has been the hue and cry for the past week now. I just believe it's the Clinton machine trying to use the same tactics on McClintock.

HEY! CLINTON PEOPLE - IT AIN'T WORKIN'!!

[junta]

I think the three major GOP candidates poll a total 40% in the recall, hardly a plea for sanity, but then again it is California home to the fruits and nuts. Count me amongst the pessimists along with my prediction that CA sees one massive exodus of its productive to the point that it needs Federal intervention to stave off total collapse.

[Yaelle]

I think Rush's column is in tomorrow's paper for a reason. Tomorrow Arnold has his chance to gather his supporters, either with milquetoast generalities for the unaffiliated, or with powerful words full of meaning that precede true action, as did Reagan. Rush is trying to exhort the one candidate with a proven commanding presence to stick with true American (conservative) principles. Note that Rush stuck to economic and defense/security principles, the kinds Arnold deeply believes in.

You have to read between the lines. Rush is not talking to voters and he's not talking to McClintock here. Rush is talking to a powerful person with a real chance to win the governorship of the great state of CA, Rush's adopted state and where he got his hearing back. Rush is telling Arnold to speak passionate, affirmative language to us voters, to whip us to our feet in belief that we, the people of the state of California, can make this place great again.

[quidnunc]

Wild Irish Rogue wrote: Limbaugh has to attract liberals to his ESPN gig. He can't afford to alienate half the viewing audience,so he has to burnish his anti Republican bona fides, by running down everyone and anything, associated with the party.In his interview with Sports Illustrated,Limbaugh said he believes the ESPN spot is just the beginning of his football career. To coin a phrase," It's the football, stupid."

I never thought of that and I think you may well have hit on the truth of the matter.

[Major_Risktaker]

California needs a SOUTHERN 10 STORY WALL!

[CyberAnt]

LINE ITEM VETO!! Great tool if you're willing to use it.

[jjbrouwer]

He will be devastated. Meanwhile, if Arnold is such a Democrat why are Teddy and the rest of the Camelot Clan refusing to support his brave challenge?

[holdonnow]

The only way any Republican can win in California is by adopting some key conservative policies. The only way any Republican Governor can start reversing what's been going on in California is by adopting some key conservative policies. Schwarzenegger will be forced to adopt some conservative positions in this campaign if he has any chance of winning. Conservatism is the answer, not the enemy. And the growing concern among conservatives with Schwarzenneger may be what pushes him in the right direction, not the excuses or applause from so-called "moderate" Republicans.

[holdonnow]

So, you're a Black Helicopter moderate Republican. Have you lost your mind? Twice now you've participated in an effort on this thread to demean Rush and his motives -- first, by suggesting he wrote this op-ed for some business reason, and now joining with your fellow aluminum hat friend by suggesting he's trying to hype his ESPN gig. You're a punk.

[CyberAnt]

Exactly! And .. by the way - thanks for the kind words!

[CyberAnt]

"compromise and get something of what you want"

Since Arnold has not produced ONE THING that I want - the jury is still out on whether he can be a Gov or not.

[PhilDragoo]

[jjbrouwer]

(To quidnunc) So, you're a Black Helicopter moderate Republican. Have you lost your mind? Twice now you've participated in an effort on this thread to demean Rush and his motives -- first, by suggesting he wrote this op-ed for some business reason, and now joining with your fellow aluminum hat friend by suggesting he's trying to hype his ESPN gig. You're a punk.

I'm sorry. Is Rush an untouchable - or just another telly bigmouth? Why are we not allowed to criticise him?

You'll be telling us we can't badmouth Jerry Springer next.