Arnie's Choice (Discussion for Undecideds)

My Febrile Mind | 8/20/2003 | Daniel J. Phillips

[BibChr]

I probably represent many Californians who are not yet on any candidate's bandwagon. My intent is to start and fuel a friendly discussion among us, hopefully relatively free from flamethrowers and those on the pay of any particular campaign.

I suggest I'm representative in these ways:

1. I am myself very conservative, politically and otherwise. Yet...
2. I understand we're electing a politician, not a pastor. And...
3. I understand that, judged from God's absolute standard, EVERY vote since Eden is a vote for the lesser of two evils.
4. I also understand that it is difficult to accomplish anything politically without winning. And...
5. I understand that it is usually better to move the ball successfully one yard towards the goal, than to fail gloriously in going for an impossible touchdown.

Having said that:

1. I think that, among GOP candidates, Schwarzenegger has the best odds of winning the election.
2. Though he is not my ideal candidate by ANY means, I am willing to be convinced that I should support him.
3. At present, his ONLY stated and specific positions
   • Were all staked out BEFORE the campaign; but still...
   • Are all either left-moderate or far-left.
4. For me to support him, he is going to have to stake out at least one specific, you-can-hold-me-to-this, major conservative position. Show me in some way that he has something identifiably Republican about him aside from his registration.

I am in a hurry, so I conclude this opening sally by saying that I take it as also a "given" that Simon should be pluperfect. That is, he should be described as in "he had run." He has no place in this election. Davis is governor in large measure because Simon failed Political Leadership 101: Winning the Election. He can redeem himself by time and accomplishments, and I am aware of neither since the last election, in which I voted for him, and which he gift-wrapped for Governor Davis.

Arnold is in a position to win it today, I think. Davis tried to be Clinton and failed — he's the same cup of hemlock without that minty aftertaste! Bustamonte says "I love you so much I'm going to raise your taxes!" Arnold can run away with it. If Schwarzenegger comes out with some conservative specifics, I think a lot of us are willing to "break" for him. If he doesn't... ay yi yi. We may be forced to McClintock, who I think is probably a good man, and who I think is far less likely to be able to win.

[BibChr]

Well, at least thanks for not coming out and calling me a RINO! (c;

No, it sounds as if I share your convictions and concerns. My position has indeed changed over the years. After my wife and I voted for Pete Wilson, and he was such an aggressive pro-abort, trying to take the party to that position, we never wanted to vote for a pro-abort again. It is a despicable, indefensible position.

So, whether I've "grown" or "lost it," you will judge. Here's my thinking, trying not to repeat what I already said.

Losers neither pass good budgets nor laws, nor veto bad budgets nor laws.

I want to help the person win who will veto the most bad budgest and laws, and pass the most good budgets and laws.

IN MOST ELECTIONS (NOTE: *not* primaries), I have two major choices. I have to pick which of those will do what I just outlined.

THIS IS AN ELECTION, NOT A PRIMARY.

At present, it is likeliest that Bustamonte or Shwarzenegger will win.

My question to me and you: which of those will veto the most bad budgets and laws, and pass the most good budgets and laws?

We know B will be bad all across the board.

S is simply an unknown, POLITICALLY, except that he supports Prop 13, which is a plus.

As to the rest... that's what my essay is about!

Help any?

Sincerely,
Dan

[88keys]

ping...

[CyberAnt]

Supposedly, the field polls says:

Arnold 34
McClintock 21
Simon 18

Geeeee .. I think 18+21 = 39% which beats ARNOLD!! If Simon drops out - and asks people to give their vote to Tom - TOM COULD EASILY WIN THIS THING.

A win for Tom is not as unrealistic as people think. And .. I will say this - if Tom doesn't make it this time .. what he should do is start building his war chest for the next election in 2006 - when the "real" conservatives will have had enough of Ahhnold's version of conservatism - raising taxes and doing nothing to get business back in CA.

[BibChr]

ping

[farmfriend]

Scarmento Ping list.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Just listened to Arnolds news conference today. I thought it went extremely well. He answered Prop 13 intellegently and with excellent knowledge of realestate "resale" and Prop 13. Neil Cavuto mentioned it immediately afterwards.

Sec. of State Shultz seemed impressed, and Arnold shot down (with humor I might add, which afforded some dignity to Buffet) Buffets remarks about Prop 13.

Overall, I think it went extremely well.

For his first time in the fire.. he did well.

BTW!!! Did anyone see the article about Bustamante being a SUPPORTER OF MEChA!!!!! HE WILL NOT DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THIS GROUP TO DATE!!

Lookee here!!!

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20030820.shtml

Here are some snippets to entice you:


MEChA's liberation agenda, outlined in El Plan de Aztlan, states defiantly:

"We do not recognize capricious frontiers on the bronze continent. Brotherhood unites us, and love for our brothers makes us a people whose time has come and who struggles against the foreigner 'gabacho' who exploits our riches and destroys our culture. With our heart in our hands and our hands in the soil, we declare the independence of our mestizo nation. We are a bronze people with a bronze culture."

In a critical article on Bustamante published by David Horowitz's FrontPage Magazine.com last week, Lowell Ponte notes that "Like Nazism, MEChA has acquired more than a tinge of racism. In their tactics to advance Latinos and 'La Raza,' many of its activists have directed racist attacks against not only white-skinned Anglos but also against blacks, Asian-Americans and Jews -- in fact, against every non-Latino group."

Popular Internet blogger Tacitus points out: "It's tempting to dismiss this as a youthful affiliation that means nothing today -- but that temptation would be wrong. There are certain associations that are socially tainting (and justly so) in the modern day, and they don't have statutes of limitations. Former Klansmen and former Nazis don't get a pass unless they spend a great deal of time and energy apologizing for and explaining themselves in a convincing manner."

Why should Bustamante, a public figure already known to have used a racial epithet in the past (he infamously used the word "nigger" while addressing a Black History Month event two years ago) get a pass? Or, for that matter, former California State Assembly Speaker and Los Angeles mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, State Assemblyman Gil Cadillo, State Sen. Joe Baca, and Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva -- all unapologetic Mechistas?

[MattAMiller]

Arnold's speech today was very reassuring. I'd been leaning in his direction and now I'm much more positive.

[MattAMiller]

The Field poll is an extreme outlier. It doesn't represent a decline in Arnold's numbers. It pretty much covers the same time period as other polls. The differences you see aren't a decline, their just the differences between different polls.

[glennaro]

I agree. Arnold presented a thoughtful, passionate and reasonably conservative governing plan today. A long way to go, but I think he's off to a fine start.

[BibChr]

Anyone know where there's a video, and/or full text of Schwarzenegger's conference today?

Dan

[spirit_free]

I believe it would be a good thing to see how this whole thing plays over the next month. PLEASE do not write off McClintock ... I think he has a very good chance once people hear what he has to say. We don't have a clue what Mr. Shwarzenegger is planning, he really hasn't gone into great detail. Why don't we just settle down a bit and watch things as they play out before we condem anyone.

[BibChr]

I ping you, fwiw.

[Tempest]

Here's what Simon/McClintock supporters need to consider.


Registered Democrats in California: 6.7 million

Registered Republicans in California: 5.3 million

source: http://www.calvoter.org/parties.html


get the picture!

[DiamondDon1]

Wow, what a roller-coaster this day has been...I started the day replying to Hugh Hewitt's support of Arnold (noting that Arnold had yet to stand for anything) when...WHAM...Arnold holds a great press conference.

I have yet to give up McClintock and still support him but if its Arnold or Cruz...Cruz Must Lose...

Thanks for the ping...

DD

[BibChr]

I'm just the other side of that teeter-totter, I think. I wish Mc could win, but I just think there's no way. And I think Sch laid down some good reasonable red meat.

I won't vote until October... but I want to be able to start supporting someone fairly soon.

The name-issue is big. The million more (insane!!) Demo's is big. Who gets undecideds, middles, disaffected Demo's? Not likely to be McC. Plus, I think Buster sank himself with that LOTSA new taxes pledge.

Looking good for Schw, and that could (COULD) be good for the state.

Dan

[Quix]

WOW!

A VERY sensible conservative regarding Arnold.

Hope you have a great discussion.

I think the main things a conservative could favor about Arnold is his bent to REALLY [hopefully] shake up the corrupt machine in Sacramento and hopefully shred and remove it. Otherwise, a strong bent toward economic conservatism--at least personal responsibility and personal opportunity minimally hampered by big government.

We shall see if he comes forward as solidly on those scores as I mostly expect.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

No, wish I did have access to a tape. Everyone I've spoken to today in my town was very impressed. As are we!! Well done!!

[Righter-than-Rush]

My decision has just been made. I vote for McClintock.