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

[Tamzee]

Yep, Bloomberg... just another wild distortion LOL

I'm no longer surprised at the lengths some folks will go now, though... even Reagan complained about certain hard-line conservatives that couldn't accept compromise in politics.

[onyx]

I signed-on to work in Arnold's campaign and nicer people I have never met in my life! The workers, like the candidate, are upbeat and positive! He's going to win this election and I'm thrilled to help him!

[b9]

Thank you for the article!
Eunice Kennedy Shriver is one brave lady.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

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

Touche' my friend.

[LisaAnne]

I have seen many of your posts regarding abortion, and I have a question for you.
If it were possible to end abortion after the 3rd month, would you agree to that compromise? Or is it an all or nothing issue for you?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Y'know, Robert, I lurk about a bit at other sites - one of which is DU. One thread I saw this week had several people bragging about how they came over here to pretend to be "true conservatives" and to make far right rants against candidates like Bush and Schwarzenegger. I'd put up a link, but forum policy has prohibited DU linking for quite a while.

Why do you suppose they would do that, then go back over to DU and cackle about what they riled up?

[PhiKapMom]

Why do you suppose they would do that, then go back over to DU and cackle about what they riled up?

Outstanding comments! Some of these folks on here cannot even see they are being duped which is the sad part since this is supposed to be a political site. Yet the obvious disruptor vanities are allowed to stand?

[Tamzee]

Reagan himself signed into California law an abortion bill and a gun control bill... he also tolerated homosexuals in his social circle and sleeping together in his home.

By your standards, you would have recalled him and he would have spent his career as a dogcatcher.

---

As far as Arnold's social stances, as much as you guys wish differently, he is MODERATE. He is pro-choice, yes, but anti-partial birth abortion and supports parental notification. Not exactly the NOW platform, is it?

He is pro-guns, but not all the NRA way. He does support the Brady Bill and the assault weapon ban.... but so does the majority of California. He is already to the right of current gun law in the state, and is not drooling to snatch away your pretty pistols.

Yes, he is not anti-gay... but neither is a full rainbow in that he opposes gay-marriage. Again, not exactly the ideal leftie, is he?

---

He is a long-time fiscal conservative with credentials proving that going back 20 years in his friendship and public support of Nobel Laureate libertarian economist Milton Friedman... credited with the philosophy behind Reagan and Thatcher economics. He is endorsed by EXTREMELY reputable conservative voices and institutions that you folks ignore because facts disturb your preferred reality. Stop blowing smoke, it's getting mighty tiresome.

[b9]

>>> The workers, like the candidate, are upbeat and positive <<<

Last night we watched Arnold on O'Reilly and Tom on Hannity & Colmes, and our daughter, a new voter, simply said "You know, Arnold seems so HAPPY.
He looks like he really WANTS to be governor."
No wonder he's appealing to younger voters.
He's grateful, and every spot we see of him exudes that and it inspires people.

Tom accuses him of not bringing anything original to the campaign, but he is fresh and his theme of 'discipline' is resonating. I have proof under my own roof.

[Texas_Dawg]

Why do you suppose they would do that, then go back over to DU and cackle about what they riled up?

Seriously. How many conservatives have you ever met in real life that genuinely hate George Bush? Even the most radical Buchanan Brigaders at least hate Hillary more. Not on FR though. Lots of trolls in these lands I believe.

[DoctorZIn]

Join Us…Your One Thread To All The California Recall News Threads!

Want on our daily or major news ping lists? Freepmail DoctorZin

[Tamzee]

I saw you harassing other posters yesterday, took note of your interesting membership date and went through your posts. EVERY ONE of them since you joined has been divisive in some manner, and several were attacks.

Just sign me... what was it you called me? Star-struck? A groupie?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

#97 looks like it could have been written by you.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

My #90 and #97 might be interesting to you both.