Schwarzenegger trying to limit scope of debates

Mercury News ^ | Aug. 27, 2003 | Dion Nissenbaum and Ann E. Marimow

[jam137]

Schwarzenegger trying to limit scope of debates CAMPAIGN SEES `A TWO-MAN RACE' WITH BUSTAMANTE By Dion Nissenbaum and Ann E. Marimow Mercury News Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - As part of a strategy to drive the direction of the recall, Republican front-runner Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign is attempting to block challengers from taking part in televised debates that could boost their popularity.

Instead of taking the stage with a group of contenders, Schwarzenegger's team wants to appear only with Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante.

``We think the polls are showing this is a two-man race,'' said one Schwarzenegger strategist who asked not to be identified.

But three other candidates who have polled well enough statewide to show measurable support -- including two who will begin airing TV ads this week -- disputed that the race boils down to two candidates.

``That is profoundly undemocratic,'' said populist columnist Arianna Huffington, an independent. ``It slaps in the face of the voters to have a decision by Arnold fiat who is going to be in the debate.''

While Schwarzenegger has said he is willing to debate, he has not agreed to take part in any of the scheduled forums, which begin next week in Walnut Creek. Schwarzenegger representative Rob Stutzman said it was unlikely the actor would take part next week.

``Arnold wants to debate,'' Stutzman said. ``We are receiving many different proposals, and we'll begin the process of sorting through those and determining the format that makes the most sense.''

[jam137]

I couldn't post the entire article, so I posted this excerpt.

[drypowder]

``We think the polls are showing this is a two-man race,''

Yea, McClintock and Schwarzenegger.

[TheAngryClam]

What's he afraid of?



SENATOR TOM MCCLINTOCK, that's who!

[ambrose]

I'd love to see Busty trash that lying piece of RINO trash in a debate. It'd be a laugh.

[ambrose]

because we'd then watch the poll jockeys abandon ship and join the one true conservative in this race...

[TheAngryClam]

Tom would OWN Arnold (Bustamante goes without saying) in a debate, and the Schwarzenegger camp knows it.

[Tamzee]

that lying piece of RINO trash

The "piece of RINO trash" name-calling is transparent and getting so boring... If you must spew, can you try to come up with something a little less trite?

Regarding Arnold "lying", please post your evidence or retract it.

[DoctorZIn]

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[Russell Scott]

Arnold thinks he is in a movie, and he is directing it.

[Amerigomag]

A debate between any of the pretenders is a waste. Debates are for the politically lazy among us.

No one debates the following: Arnie has the aura but lacks political experience and has a shallow bench. Tom has the experience and could assemble a reasonable crew in 39 days but has a narrow base. Cruz has the machine and the crew waiting in the wings but suffers from a culture, stature and intelligence gap.

[rdf]

I agree with you that name-calling is lazy and inappropriate.

But it does look unseemly for A.S., who has the cash to pay for his message and image to go out, would seek to block free media for the others. Unseemly and not really right.

Cheers,

Richard F.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Tom McClintock, who is right on all the issues, but has only 3 or 4% of the voters with him.

I like Tom, but I don't vote in California. The people who do vote in California either don't know or don't like Tom. Maybe one of you Californians can explain. But his chances of winning this election are absolutely zero. Even if Arnold withdrew and threw his support to Tom, he can't win.

You have a practical choice of Schwarzennegger, or Bustamante. Some of you have said you'd rather see Cruz win that Schwarzennegger. It makes sense, because you're acting that way.

The mature thing for Tom to do at this point would be cut a policy deal with Arnold. Half a loaf is better than none... Tom is shooting for none. Whoever the Governor is it won't be Tom McClintock. I would wager a very large amount against any odds on that.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[carbon14]

It's instructive to not only post the "before" picture of MadClintock, but the "after the election" picture too.

Not to worry...lifetimer pol MadClintock will rise again for Groundhog Day Recall Election 2003!

[Criminal Number 18F]

Likewise, nobody debates that the comedy candidates like Arianna, Larry Flynt, Gary Coleman and what's-her-name, the porn queen, aren't seriously in the running. Neither are the other 130 or so fringe candidates who will have the votes of their mums, period.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Amerigomag]

The mature thing for Tom to do at this point would be cut a policy deal with Arnold. Half a loaf is better than none

Absolutely logical suggestion but ....

The problem is that Tom is getting almost everything he wants by staying the course. Almost daily, Arnie modifies his posture because of the presence of Tom.

The art here for Tom (and conservatives) is to guess how far to the right they can push Arnie without damaging his appeal to the center. How hard to push and more importantly, how long to push is a decision for others far more qualified than I.

[unsycophant]

He doesn't seem to be trying to block others from getting their message out, as much as just bottom-lining voters. Why waste time on a five-person debate when everyone knows 3/5 don't have a chance?

You call it unseemly. I call it practical.

[Amerigomag]

Neither are the other 130 or so fringe candidates

I know one of the candidates and he is seriously running and has reasoned answers to some of the tough questions.

This phenomena is a key that points to the populist, social revolt that underlies the recall in California. Davis is the focus, not the target of the recall.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? I saw a poll today - 11% for Tom, not 3-4% as you stated.