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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
Social conservatives don't advocate gun control.
81 posted on 09/12/2003 12:58:21 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: pogo101
BUAHAHAHA ...
82 posted on 09/12/2003 12:58:27 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: strela
He is conservative on some issues, moderate on most, and liberal on a few. Like everybody else who is NOT an idealogue.

Actually, I'd say he's left of center. Say 40% conservative, 60% liberal. He has few conservative ideals.

83 posted on 09/12/2003 12:58:39 PM PDT by NittanyLion (Go Tom Go!)
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To: strela
You're a riot! Really! The hilarity of these posts is refreshing!
84 posted on 09/12/2003 12:58:56 PM PDT by old school
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To: redlipstick
Thanks for the ping.

On a side note the tools are tooting an LA Mecha Times poll today. I love it when the weak-minded fall for the machinations of the left. Toooo funny.
85 posted on 09/12/2003 12:59:43 PM PDT by Tempest (I've lost all hope for half of you.)
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To: redlipstick
If you use his definition of "social conservatism", maybe (R)nold is, and maybe he isn't [although I believe there have been several credible stories of his cheating on his wife, admitting to steroid use, and other drug use, as well as promiscuity and group sex].

But if you define social conservatism as adhering to certian policy positions: abortion, guns, immigration, etc., he is not.

Either way, it is difficult to make the case that he is an actual conservative on any policy issues. You might be able to make the case that he is closer to the political center than Davis or Bustamante, but it seems intellectually dishonest to claim that he is any kind of conservative.
86 posted on 09/12/2003 1:01:36 PM PDT by brownie (Moderates/Pragmatists need to go to the Rat party where they belong. Stop splitting the GOP Vote)
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To: strela
He is conservative on some issues, moderate on most, and liberal on a few. Like everybody else who is NOT an idealogue.

But a social conservative? The premise of this article is laugheable at best. It really does show that Arnold has a real problem. He is trying to win over social conservatives but it is very dificult to trick "social" conservatives about your beliefs. I know that California is a very liberal state but for the author to try to redefine a social conservative in this article (if you could call it an article) is intellectually bankrupt and desperate.

87 posted on 09/12/2003 1:01:48 PM PDT by truthandlife
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To: redlipstick; .45MAN; AAABEST; AKA Elena; al_c; american colleen; Angelus Errare; Antoninus; ...
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Social Conservative

Ping to my "socially conservative" Catholic ping list.

Take it as satire and it is rather funny.

Take it seriously? Warning: Only if you first take an anti emetic.

88 posted on 09/12/2003 1:02:10 PM PDT by Polycarp ("women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness" 1Tim2:15)
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To: old school
You're a riot! Really!

Why thank you. I can't afford to hire a professional comedian, so I had to learn the trade myself. And every time McClintock makes a speech, its just more grist for the mill.

89 posted on 09/12/2003 1:02:15 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: JesusIsLord
Just to play devils advocate...Where do Gingrich, Livingston, Hyde, and Barr fit on the social conservative scale? I know they talked the talk but...
90 posted on 09/12/2003 1:02:59 PM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican and Bushbot)
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To: cyncooper
I am still seething from Lieberman's shameful purveying the lie, at that "debate" spectacle the other night, that President Bush was personally responsible for denying African Americans the vote in Florida in 2000. (Of course, nobody was denied the vote, except the military by a dem scheme.)

AGREED!! We are too! GRRRR is right! So many LIES!! But that was one of the most blatant! Right up there with all that HATE towards our Commander in Chief. Nice huh?

91 posted on 09/12/2003 1:03:02 PM PDT by Vets_Husband_and_Wife (CNN: where " WE report what WE decide!!")
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To: ElkGroveDan
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

I contend if a Kennedy went against Bush (who the heck would that be? That idiot Patches? Kathleen Kennedy Townsend? Who?) Schwarzenegger would support Bush. You say otherwise. Just because he made some token donations to some Kennedys does not support your view. The fact that he's actually campaigned for Republicans supports mine. We'll never know, of course, but I am confident I am correct.

92 posted on 09/12/2003 1:03:59 PM PDT by cyncooper
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To: strela
I would say someone is posting in a testicle-free enviroment.
93 posted on 09/12/2003 1:04:00 PM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs (Sucking the marrow of life does not mean choking on the bone.)
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To: redlipstick
Giuliani had no qualms about having an affair. He's a great guy, but he isn't a "social conservative." To be a social conservative, you have to believe in conservative social morality:

1) sex is best within a loving, exclusive marriage
2) people who choose to have sex under other circumstances deserve to have bad things happen to them

94 posted on 09/12/2003 1:04:06 PM PDT by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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To: cyncooper
>>>No, that is not the reasoning used by the author.

The only reasoning I saw in the article is that 1) arnold is married; and 2) he made a pretty good life for himself.

How, exactly, does that qualify as social conservative?
95 posted on 09/12/2003 1:04:30 PM PDT by brownie (Moderates/Pragmatists need to go to the Rat party where they belong. Stop splitting the GOP Vote)
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To: truthandlife
But a social conservative?

1. Do you have an archetype in mind for the "perfect" social conservative? Is there a "perfect" social conservative elected to public office anywhere in this country?

2. Could you get them elected as Governor in California?

Betcha that I (editorial "I" of course) can get my candidate elected Governor in California.

96 posted on 09/12/2003 1:06:08 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife
Did you know that President Bush 41 donated to Arnolds race?

I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised, as Schwarzenegger was a very big supporter of his. Thanks for that information.

97 posted on 09/12/2003 1:06:13 PM PDT by cyncooper
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To: redlipstick
This is a simple case of dyslexia:

When the author wrote: Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Social Conservative

They meant: Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Conservative Socialist

Nothing to it...move along...move along...

!!!nuf si sdrawkcab gnitirW :WTB

DD

98 posted on 09/12/2003 1:06:37 PM PDT by DiamondDon1 (Official Tombot, Member VRWC)
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs
I would say someone is posting in a testicle-free enviroment.

Dang it, I have the hardest time getting coffee off of my monitor! ROFL!

99 posted on 09/12/2003 1:07:05 PM PDT by Warren_Piece (Dont Panic!)
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs
I would say someone is posting in a testicle-free enviroment.

Literally speaking, that could be construed as a desirable state by some (actually, by a bit more than half of the population). Figuratively speaking, you are correct.

100 posted on 09/12/2003 1:07:42 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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