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Okay. . . well, let's agree on this -- most *rational* GOP folk would prefer a Conservative or a RINO to an actual, liberal Dem. Those who stake out the "McClintock or NOBODY" position are just nuts -- as Dems know, winning is everything. The bottom line is -- TMC or AS -- we want to evict the Democrats from the Governor's mansion. That was the whole point of the recall.

So, I propose this:

Wait and watch the polls in the coming weeks. At some point, a trend will develop favoring Arnold or McClintock. At that drop dead date -- we can form some consensus on what that date will be -- the underdog's camp, be it Arnold OR McClintock, should unite behind the frontrunner.

Why? Because it gives both sides the chance to prove all the propositions that litter this thread. At some point, rational Republicans understand that it is better to win and kick the opposition party out than to be right but out of power yourself. That's political reality. Letting Davis survive or Bustamante win has, astute observers will know, ramifications beyond the boarders of California. The national ammo the Dems would get from a win would be deadly. Then the media will, of course, frame it as a referendum on Bush. The consequences of a loss for the national GOP are unthinkable. Egg everywhere.

So, for now we can sit on the sidelines and observe. . . but at some point, we have to unite to win.

"The bottom line is -- TMC or AS -- we want to evict the Democrats from the Governor's mansion. That was the whole point of the recall. "

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Exactly.

As State Assemblyman Haynes said it accurately:

"LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31 — State Assemblyman Ray Haynes is one of the most conservative members of the California legislature, but when he looks at the stakes involved in next month’s recall election here, the choice is clear. He’s for a Republican who can win.

“I’ll be real blunt,” Haynes said in an interview. “I was involved in the recall with Tom McClintock from the beginning, but I didn’t get involved in this to hand the governorship over to [Democratic Lt. Gov.] Cruz Bustamante. That’s something I need to be cognizant of and other conservatives need to be cognizant of.”

FOR GOP, A CRITICAL CHANCE

Adversity breeds such pragmatism. Republicans see the recall election as a critical opportunity to begin the rebuilding process after a series of devastating elections that shut them out of power in the state. Democrats control the governor’s office, the state Assembly and Senate and every statewide constitutional office.

State Senate Republican leader Jim Brulte reiterated this weekend his willingness to help talk second-tier GOP candidates out of the race. “California will be no better off if Gray Davis is recalled and Republican candidates finish two, three and four,” Brulte said.

Haynes might be part of that effort. “I’m at the point,” he said, “of saying to McClintock, ‘Show you can bring the resources to the table to win, or get out of the way.’ ”

From article: Calif. GOP divided over recall race (Why McClintock supporter supports Arnold)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/974057/posts

"...Then the media will, of course, frame it as a referendum on Bush. The consequences of a loss for the national GOP are unthinkable..."

Oh, bologna. Kalifornicatia is so far screwed up left, even amongst a near majority of the KA GOP, that no one but the die hard commies in this country would buy it. I hope Tom holds AS' feet to the conservative fire long enough to get AS on record supporting some real American conservative common sense.