[Wolfstar]

...Look, we all admire a man standing on principle...

Tom McClintock is NOT standing on principle in the sense most of us mean. Mirriam-Websters dictionary defines "principle" as a comprehensive and fundamental rule, doctrine, or assumption (as in "the principle of free speech"). McClinton (a Freudian slip I'm leaving in) is not standing on fundamental rules, or a fundamental doctrine, but his own fundamental assumption that he, and only he, has the correct answers to California's problems.

Worse, he has made it crystal clear over the last month that his political enemy is not the Leftist Governor whom the recall was intended to unseat, nor the Leftist Lt. Governor who is presently the front runner in the race to replace Davis. No, McClintock's enemy is a member of his own political party — and he is going out of his way to sow deep divisions within that party.

That makes McClintock a true demagogue — a leader who makes use of popular prejudices, and false claims and promises in order to gain power.

Over the past year, his ego has received a huge jolt of limelight, and he is really getting off on it. He is a relatively unknown member of the minority party in a state legislature who has suddenly been catapulted to the national spotlight, and he is most thoroughly enjoying his 15 minutes. Tom McClintock is what and who matters above all else to Tom McClintock — and he doesn't care who he has to use or climb over to claw his way to the top.

[DoughtyOne]

I am in full agreement with your comments. Futher I have no understanding whatsoever what would lead anyone to not understand and agree with what you have written here. 2+2=4 McClintock can't win = Must support Schwarzenegger

It's the simplest of math to me.

[brownie]

What about the people who don't consider themselves Republicans first and conservatives second? Maybe there is a case here for not voting for McClintock, but no case has yet been made for conservatives to vote for Arnold. - that is where the problem lies. I cannot think of anything Arnold has said or done that would convince a conservative to vote for him.

The lesser of 2 evils argument is not going to work. It's been used too many times in the past, and the lesser of 2 evils has been just as bad, if not worse, for the conservative agenda then simply letting the worse of 2 evils win and show his/her true colors. After all, it's like addicts. Liberals will not start to seek help and get better until they reach rock bottom.

That, I believe, is the fundamental problem with Arnold's campaign. Simply being (allegedly) a republican is not good enough. Having some conservative positions is a must. And, it is very hard to take it on faith, considering his statements and his advisors, that Arnold has any conservative positions.

So, in the end, would the Arnold supporters still call conservatives zealots, stupid, and selfish, etc., if they decided not to vote for McClintock, and instead, simply not vote in the recall? In that case, the republican base isn't being split, instead, Arnold has simply failed to earn votes. Will the Arnold supporters then blame Arnold and the GOP for his failure to win? Or, at that point, would it still be McClintock's fault? Just curious.