Rohrabacher: Schwarzenegger Is the Republican Hope

NewsMax.com ^ | 9/11/03 | Dave Eberhart

[kattracks]

In a candid talk with NewsMax.com, U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., Arnold Schwarzenegger’s longtime friend, emphasizes what he perceives as the real significance of the unique recall race in that embattled, cash-strapped state:

“The liberal Democrats here represent a real Tammany Hall,” he grieves. “Davis and Bustamante are the puppeteers of the liberal left machine.”

Rohrabacher goes on to explain to NewsMax that he and his fellow Republican U.S. House members in California are by circumstance “immersed” in California politics:

“We know that we must find a way to grow the party in California. Arnold is opening up the dialogue. He is showing a lot of folks that’s its cool to be a Republican in the state. He’s attractive to young Hispanics.”

When asked by NewsMax if his touted 20-year friendship wasn’t coloring his enthusiasm, he admits: “I would call it an acquaintance relationship rather than friendship. I would not really be comfortable in calling him up socially.”

“We’ve talked more on substantive issues rather than personal matters,” Rohrabacher adds. “He has been to my house in Washington for dinner; we’ve had breakfast together in California. He’s been out to my district. I was on the movie set with him – ‘Terminator II.’”

Rohrabacher admits that his affinity for Arnold comes not so much from long acquaintance but rather “from my calculation of what’s good for California.”

“Arnold’s not perfect, but he’s our best choice as a governor with a good conservative philosophy. I agree with him 75 to 80 percent of the time,” he adds.

So why not support steadfast Republican state senator Tom McClintock, Schwarzenegger’s competitor in the race?

Backing the Front-Runner

“I agree with Tom’s viewpoints 100 percent – whereas I disagree with Arnold, as I say, about 25 percent of the time on issues. However, a vote for McClintock will only result in the Davis regime in California continuing.”

You’ve been accused of being an apologist for Mr. Schwarzenegger on your various appearances on Fox and CNN. For instance, you explained Arnold’s reticence to debate to Fox recently:

“By going on talk radio shows and by going out and meeting the people, he actually gets more of a dialogue, and people get to know what he feels more than he does by lining up with six or seven other people.

“When he came to my city in Huntington Beach, for example, he met with about 20 different businessmen just there for an hour, listening to their points of view and having a back-and-forth. That’s much more valuable time than, for example, lining up with these eight other candidates.”

How do you feel about this apologist label?

“I accept that; there’s a good reason for that,” the congressman replies. Rohrabacher goes on to talk about Warren Buffett’s “stupid” comments on California’s Proposition 13 (that puts a ceiling on property taxes), from which he quickly advised the star to distance himself.

“Arnold has substantial convictions,” Rohrabacher continues. “It’s not gotten a lot of play in the press, but about four years ago he agreed to back my school voucher initiative. Now, granted, his support has now gone to more a choice among public schools …

“With Arnold it’s all about his good gut instincts. I know Arnold; he’s not about finding new ways to tax citizens.”

How about other Republican members of the U.S. House from California?

“Don’t know of anyone that has endorsed McClintock. Everyone I know is behind Arnold.”

Disavowing any polls that indicate that the momentum for the recall itself is waning, Rohrabacher steadfastly maintains it’s still at about 60 percent in favor. “The recall will win handily,” he notes with conviction.

As to Arnold’s personal momentum: “One-third of Californians support him right off.” The challenge is to “go higher” by attracting the McClintock supporters, for instance. “They have to come on.”

Arnold’s appeal is not coming from the details but from his basic approach, Rohrabacher instructs. “He’s clearly not a big-government man. He’s unabashedly pro-business, a low-tax guy. As to the details, they will get worked out as things go along – after he is in the governor’s mansion.”

Meanwhile, Rohrabacher, the self-admitted apologist, says he hasn’t bothered to defend Arnold about the current crop of womanizing charges: “No one cares about his formerly wild personal life before getting married.”

Editor's Note:
Do you support Arnold Schwarzenegger? Vote in online poll – Click Here Now

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
California Governor's Race

[AmericaUnited]

“Arnold has substantial convictions,” Rohrabacher continues. “It’s not gotten a lot of play in the press, but about four years ago he agreed to back my school voucher initiative.

“With Arnold it’s all about his good gut instincts. I know Arnold; he’s not about finding new ways to tax citizens.”

I'll listen to Rohrbacher who I trust, rather than you who KNOW REALLY NOTHING about Arnold. You're the Howard Dean in this debate. Shoot your mouth off loudly and often but without knowledge.

[Bonaparte]

People are so dumb that they think politics is about what they LIKE!!! About what they WANT!!! Get over it! Grow up! Take reality seriously!

The Schwarzenrino groupies would "LIKE" to back a winner with an R by his name and "WANT" a republican, any republican, to win. But we already know (because you've told us) that politics isn't about liking and wanting. Maybe they should "take reality more seriously" and go for what they don't like or want.

[Tamzee]

Always an honor, thank you :-)

[Russell Scott]

If McClintock had as much money and fame as Arndroid, Rohrabacher would be his best friend too. I know Dana, and he can smell a buck a mile away.

[Tamzee]

Ping :-)

Rohrabacher quote, "a vote for McClintock will only result in the Davis regime in California continuing.”

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

There are a lot of "Freepers" who would rather see Bustamante governer than Schwarzenegger. So they will vote for McClintock, which is a vote for Bustamante.

Conservative Republicans make up between 75% and 80% of the California GOP. The RINO's are a distinct minority. I assume you made your statement based on the California polls, which are all published by left-wing organizations (i.e. L.A. Times, S.F. Chronicle, League of Women Voters, etc.). Why would you believe them, over the simple facts that (a) conservative Republicans outnumber their liberal half-witted brethern by over 2:1, (b) a higher percentage of conservative GOPers show up at the polls than RINO's, by a factor of 2:1, (c) the Democrats are demoralized, fractured, and even angry at their leadership; the Demo base won't show up on election day!, (d) Arnie's entire family are liberal Democrats, and he espouses Lib Democrat views.

Facts are difficult things. Arnie most certainly will not win, because he has no political base. McClintock has a good chance to win on a minorty vote because of the splintered field (i.e. Independents will support independent candidates, not GOP or Demo's), the demoralized Demo base, and the energized GOP conservative base.

We aren't insane. We won't believe the RINO lies anymore. Your sense of California political history probably goes back to what you're read in the leftist media about the last campaign (i.e. Simon). You are misinformed. Arnie has NO CHANCE of picking up the GOP base. Tom M. does.

SFS

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

Rohrabacher would make a great GOP Senator. He can run as a "lifetime Conservative" who can bridge the philosophical gap because so many of his "close friends" are liberals like Arnie. Then, when he has his Senate office for life, he can govern straight left like all the other RINO's. They'll let Bush's conservative judicial nominees die in committee because "psssst.. big secret here..", they don't like Bush's "right-wing-idealogue" nominees. So, they say.. "tisk..tisk.. if only the SENATE RULES allowed us, we'd break that nasty ol' filibuster that never was, and push the Presidents nominees to the Senate floor for a vote. Hmmmm...yawwwwnnn..nothing we can do.".

Yep...this guy fits the RINO bill, too. I expect he'll be a nominee for the CA Senate seat one of these days.

Rohrabacher is only as conservative as he has to be to be elected in a solidly conservative GOP district.

SFS

[Tamzee]

Here's one issue they both agree on... both are pro-military, pro-troops, pro-national defense; anti-terrorist

A survey was done asking military men and women which celebrity they would most want to meet. The answer was Arnold and he went to Edwards to do so, even bringing his son. The magazine that ran the survey took pictures to accompany the article about it.

"By Popular Demand"

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFMCNS) Jan 2002 – Action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger cheers with a few Edwards members during his visit to the base in December. The star was on the scene at Edwards for a photo shoot with Talk Magazine. In a recent poll magazine officials have taken, military members voted Schwarzenegger the star they would most like to meet. The photos will be published in the February issue of Talk due out Jan. 11. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Stacee McCausland)

[Chancellor Palpatine]

And yet the partisans of the crosseyed, lipless, personality free McClintock didn't like the idea that Arnold was meeting the troops.....

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Conservative Republicans make up between 75% and 80% of the California GOP.

Haldol can help you get rid of these delusions.

[Tamzee]

I know... the McClintock fans want SO BADLY for Arnold to be a rabid liberal LOL

And even if it is not true, they'll pretend it is and call it "principles" ;-)

[BADROTOFINGER]

You are soooooo right about that. My first post on any of these thread simply stated that from what I had seen, I would vote McClintock. Then 2 guys just start in on me, calling me a Dem, 'fanatical', and insulting McClintock. They just sound like Dems to me...JFK

[Tamzee]

Agreed, perfect analogy and regards to you both :-)

You are dying of thirst. You can get a half gallon of water easily. Instead you get no water at all and die because you insisted on a full gallon of water or nothing.

It gets even worse when someone is trying to poison the half gallon that you do have available.

[joesnuffy]

A big show biz name and face recognition would pump life back into the Republican Party even if it means sidestepping left on a lot of important issues...at least in California

Who cares about abortion or gun ownership?...these are meaningless issues to the elite..
the cares of the untermenchen...throw them a crumb & they vote for you...

Arnold said in the beginning he would bring back business in order to tax them for his social program dreams?....did he or did he not say this?

The next thing ya know...Arnie flip-flops and has pretty much cherry picked Tom McClintocks issues?...why?

Where is the "Real" Arnold...is the Rhorabacher version real or just window dressing to get the buyers in the door?

Of course Mr Rhorabacher likes hanging with Arnold..they all do...he is a personality...
...people want to be around him...simply because he is bigger than life..at least their lives..he is a movie star...a movie idol....and idol worshippers like being around him getting a little attention from him makes them shine a little brighter for a while...

And that kind of advertising is worth its weight in gold...

If Arnold backs you in public...you have just earned votes you could not get on your own..
This whole deal is about more marketing the Republican Party..than it is of substance

Its not about right and wrong...just about power ..how to get it ..and how to keep it...

Will Arnold remain true to his word and for that matter to which word? He has flip flopped more than a major Sea World attraction

Hopefully Tom makes a deal with Arnold...one he cant leak out of...one for the conservatives of California the real Republicans...if Arnold wants to win badly enough (I think he does..he hates losing..at anything) Tom should cut a deal....one that locks Arnie in to the conservatives...

And then Tom should back Arnold...all the way...

[Brandon]

I agree

[BunnySlippers]

Thanks for the update! :)

[Tamzee]

Sorry, I don't debate with newbies that roar into the gate with the sole intent of stirring up hostility with misleading posts.

For such a die-hard conservative, it's interesting you never joined FR until yesterday but are suddenly such GREAT buddies with ambrose already...

[strela]

Welcome to FreeRepublic, Robert. Hope you can stick around so we can find out how you feel about issues other than the California recall election.

(You ARE going to stick around after October 8, right?)