[68 grunt]

... But never doubt, Tom McClintock will withdraw in favor of AS within 2 weeks.

I hope you're right, but sooner rather than later, please.

What other horrible thought do I have? If Arnie were to drop out, and encourage all who supported him to support Tom, Tom would still lose. The under 40 crowd either won't turn out, or will vote otherwise, and the demons would unite behind bushamecha.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

... But never doubt, Tom McClintock will withdraw in favor of AS within 2 weeks.

Nope, not gonna happen. McClintock has stated over and over that he is a Seabiscuit and in the race to the end.

So tell me again, Tom, when will you start running against Bustamonte instead of your own party?

[MrNatural]

..If Arnie were to drop out, and encourage all who supported him to support Tom, Tom would still lose. The under 40 crowd either won't turn out, or will vote otherwise, and the demons would unite behind bushamecha..

That's the other side of the situation, exactly. It's Arnold that has quintupled calls to the republican party about registering to vote, not Tom. For them, Tom is just another Sacramento politico. That's all they know. It's Arnold's entry into the race that made the recall seem real. Like it could really happen.

If AS dropped out, I don't think the recall itself would succeed.