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Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Social Conservative
Intellectual Conservative ^ | September 12, 2003 | Bruce Walker

Posted on 09/12/2003 12:19:04 PM PDT by EllaMinnow

Social conservatism means a serious fidelity to those beliefs and traditions which keep us civilized and decent.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a social conservative, despite much rhetoric to the contrary. Social conservatism means a serious fidelity to those beliefs and traditions which keep us civilized and decent without resort to laws, regulations and bureaucrats.

Social conservatism is a respect for tradition and for values which have withstood the test of time. Chinese family members who respect and support one another, even at the cost of personal wishes, are social conservatives whatever their metaphysical beliefs.

This definition of social conservatism as a matter of example rather than profession does not mean we agree on every detail of moral behavior. It means instead that we root ourselves in something permanent, dignified and civic. Even eccentricity can be socially conservative. British and American peoples are famous for producing men who, for want of a better term, are cranks. That is very much a part of the culture of these two nations.

At the heart of social conservatism is fidelity. Often men who are social conservatives are ideologically left of center. Jimmy Carter is a good example. By all appearances, Carter took his marital vows seriously and his religious faith seriously. He stopped serving hard liquor at White House dinners.

That did not prevent Carter from being a petty, spiteful and almost insufferable boor. And it certainly did not prevent Carter from being wrong on almost every issue. But it does mean that Jimmy Carter was a social conservative.

Joe Lieberman is also a social conservative, even if he supports terrible policies. Every indication is that Lieberman is a religiously serious Orthodox Jew. It is impossible to imagine Joe munching a bacon cheeseburger on Kol Nidre. Bill Bradley is another social conservative who loves his wife, gained his wealth and fame through guts and hard work, and sincerely believes in all the bad ideas he proposes.

The beauty of America, of course, is that social conservatism does not require being correct as much as being sincere. It does not require conformity to a particular catechism so much as it means conformity to some catechism. The bewildering variety of religions, sects, and societies in American life is a testament to Americans respecting in social life the same freedom to be wrong that we respect in our economic life. Indeed, social conservatism is another form of market choice which helps, through competition, to elevate cultures and traditions within America.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is made of the "right stuff.” There is no odor of phoniness about him. He loves his wife and family. He worked his way to the top with sweat and diligence. He resembles a number of other social conservative Republicans around President Bush who are not generally recognized as social conservatives.

Who? How about Colin Powell? He turned down the Presidency itself in 1996 out of respect for his wife and family. Does anyone question that what Powell believes, he believes sincerely? How about Tom Ridge, who was too liberal to be the running mate in 2000, but who putters around his home for recreation and grew up in the Marine Corps.

Tony Blair and Rudy Giuliani are social conservatives who we seldom see as social conservatives. Both these heroic figures do what they do publicly and because they believe it is right. Thank goodness both are on our side now--social conservatives dig their heels in very deeply!--but even when Giuliani supports abortion or Powell supports affirmative action, they can do so looking you straight in the eye with a polygraph examiner unable to detect a hint of spin in their answers.

This type of social conservative--guys doing what they think is right because they think it is right--is precisely the sort of man that President Bush has shown incredible skill in using to make America better. Our Texan President, our proudly Cowboy President, does not demand that anyone agree with him on every issue. In fact, such silly boys can be skimmed off the corporate boards of a hundred big companies.

He wants people who are true to themselves. He wants, and we should want, real social conservatives. Rabbis who read Torah as if it were holy writ. Priests who take their vows seriously. Men who honor their parents and are faithful to their wives. Men like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronald Reagan or John Wayne, who will fight for what they think is right.

When Governor Schwarzenegger takes office, President Bush will find honor more valuable than agreement and grit more important than obedience. It will be a winning team, perhaps a team that can transform America.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: catholiclist
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To: redlipstick
So instead of maintaining conservatism, we just redefine conservatism. Now I see how all the 'lesser of two evils' voters can sleep at night. Just keep moving the standard and sooner or later Ted Kennedy will be a 'conservative'
21 posted on 09/12/2003 12:29:37 PM PDT by billbears (Deo Vindice)
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To: redlipstick
When Governor Schwarzenegger takes office, President Bush will find honor more valuable than agreement and grit more important than obedience. It will be a winning team, perhaps a team that can transform America.

Unless of course a Kennedy runs against Bush and Arnold takes that devotion to his wife to the campaign trail..then all won't be so....kumbaya, in GOP circles.

22 posted on 09/12/2003 12:29:42 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (It's time for Arnold to stop splitting the Republican vote and step aside for the good of the party)
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To: CheneyChick
Hey, do they make absestos underwear in pink and with lace?

Now there is an intriguing thought...LOL...

23 posted on 09/12/2003 12:30:01 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: ElkGroveDan
Bustamonte's supporters like 'true' conservatives too. From today's LA Times:

"An Indian tribe that donated $600,000 to help elect Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante as governor has turned its sights on Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock, spending $50,000 in an independent effort to help McClintock's gubernatorial bid."

I like and want Tom too. But chances are that it ain't gonna happen. After Simon, I'm spooked big time and we have to go with the frontrunner. I don't think there is time for Tom to get there, despite some of the Clymer's polls which are the ones reported, while other credible ones are not. Half a loaf will probably be our only hope--for now. Time will tell...

24 posted on 09/12/2003 12:31:37 PM PDT by eureka! (Rats and Presstitutes lie--they have to in order to survive.....)
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To: eureka!
McClintock should put that money to good use, along with this free publicity. There's no reason he can't call liberals' bluff and win the election.
25 posted on 09/12/2003 12:32:18 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: redlipstick
What a load of crap.
26 posted on 09/12/2003 12:32:58 PM PDT by adam_az
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To: redlipstick
Social conservatives are pro-life, anti-abortion, pro- nuclear-family and anti-gay-rights. Arnold is pro-abortion and pro-gay-rights. Arnold is the antithesis of being a social conservative. Arnold is a liberal RINO. Tom McClintock is the only social conservative in the California race.
27 posted on 09/12/2003 12:33:07 PM PDT by JesusIsLord
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To: redlipstick
I guess you're not used to seeing "intellectual" in the same phrase as "conservative," hmm?

The word 'intellectual' is being as badly abused as the words 'social conservative'.

Such sophistry is actually anti-intellectual propaganda.

28 posted on 09/12/2003 12:34:03 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: ambrose
"Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Social Conservative"

"The Autobahn in Germany is One of the Most Relaxing Places to Drive at About 35mph, in the Fast Lane"

"Tears Welled Up in the Eyes of Pol Pot When His Interior Minister Announced They Had Surpassed the 2 Million Mark for Executing Counter-revolutionaries"

"The Subway System in Tokyo Is One of the Easiest Things to Figure Out for the First Time Foreign Visitor"

"Americans Love These New Gas Prices"

"My Mother, the Car" Was One of the Best American TV Shows in the 1960s"

"Nothing Like a Good Bowl of Poshintang in Korea for Animal Rights Activists"

"It Always Seems Former Football Jocks From High School Have Gone the Furthest in Their Careers When Meeting Them at 20-Year Reunions"

29 posted on 09/12/2003 12:34:14 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (Saddam Had No Taepodong-II nuke ICBMs capable of hitting the World's Largest & 2nd Largest Economies)
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To: redlipstick
What's an intellectual?
30 posted on 09/12/2003 12:35:37 PM PDT by vbmoneyspender
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To: redlipstick
Well, I hope this writer is right about his fidelity to his family, but... And don't think Davis isn't going to make sure all potential dirt comes out.
31 posted on 09/12/2003 12:35:50 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: redlipstick
Do you think Joseph Goebbels was an 'intellectual'?
32 posted on 09/12/2003 12:35:52 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: redlipstick
I would simply ignore the disruptors. I've decided that many of them are probably DU disruptors sent here to make sure McClintock stays in the race. They know that will divide the vote, and get Bustamante elected.

Did you know that President Bush 41 donated to Arnolds race? (he is such a RINO!!) LOL!!

Keep up the good work FRiend.

FRegards!
33 posted on 09/12/2003 12:36:25 PM PDT by Vets_Husband_and_Wife (CNN: where " WE report what WE decide!!")
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To: redlipstick
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Social Conservative

Goliath was a slightly-built Jewish shepherd.

(Hey, this is fun! ;-)

34 posted on 09/12/2003 12:37:29 PM PDT by SteveH (I presume it's too late to DRAFT TED NUGENT?)
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To: The Old Hoosier
Anyone can play this game:

I define "moral" as not letting other peoples standards affect your behavior.

Most people's standards reflect sexual relations outside of marriage to be a bad thing.

Bill Clinton did not let these people's standards stand in the way of his having a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Therefore, Bill Clinton is "moral".
35 posted on 09/12/2003 12:38:10 PM PDT by So Cal Rocket (Free Miguel, Priscilla and Bill!)
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To: SteveH
keep it going! lol!
36 posted on 09/12/2003 12:38:17 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (Saddam Had No Taepodong-II nuke ICBMs capable of hitting the World's Largest & 2nd Largest Economies)
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To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife
Bush 41 was a RINO in many ways. He was a Liberal Republican who had to change his tune when tapped as Reagan's running mate.
37 posted on 09/12/2003 12:38:58 PM PDT by Ingtar
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To: SteveH
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Social Conservative
Goliath was a slightly-built Jewish shepherd

Monica Lewinsky has the body of a Victoria's Secret model
38 posted on 09/12/2003 12:39:19 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: redlipstick

39 posted on 09/12/2003 12:40:02 PM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs (Sucking the marrow of life does not mean choking on the bone.)
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To: EternalVigilance
I think Thomas Sowell is, don't YOU?
40 posted on 09/12/2003 12:41:17 PM PDT by Vets_Husband_and_Wife (CNN: where " WE report what WE decide!!")
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