The Republican party has no credibility on conservative issues. A fiscally-conservative (socially liberal) outsider who can appeal to the masses is far superior to a conservative party hack who has been a career politican with no appeal to the masses.
If I didn't know better, I would say you're talking about Tom McClintock. Except you did mention "socially liberal". That excludes McClintock for sure. But the simple facts are obvious to thos eof us who understand what a fiscal conservative is.
A true fiscal conservative like Tom McClintock supports cuts in marginal income tax rates associated with supply side economics. Which lead to increases in spending, savings and investment. Reducing or eliminating capital gains taxes, death taxes and additional taxes on small business. Instituting real spending cuts related to bureaucartic waste, fraud and abuse. Defunding agencies that are duplicated elsewhere and cutting functions that could be better handled by the private sector. Reducing excessive regulations on businesses that not required. And a biggie, eliminating deficits without tax increases.
I've never heard Arnold talk about these issues in any way, shape or form in the last month. His casual undertanding of Milton Friedman's economic positions don't count either. Tom McClintock said in the last debate, his favortie book was "Free To Choose" by Milton Friedman. And as he said, he actually read it.