[thoughtomator]

The Dem machine has broken its own back by destroying the state. There's no way they can clean the slate before the 2006 election. Plus, all the shenanigans they pulled in this one will just get people angrier.

McClintock could be elected, clearly, in this environment, were it not for a fly-by-night candidate splitting the anti-Democrat vote. But the party machine backed Arnold, and gave conservatives a choice: our way (liberal socialism packaged in GOP clothing) or the highway.

Conservatives, intelligently, have rebuffed this thuggish power play, and reversed it. Our way (meeting acceptable minimum standards to conservatives) or the highway.

The resulting feud will demonstrate that the grassroots conservatives remain the heart of the GOP, not just in California, but in other state parties nationwide.

As long as McClintock is the only candidate that meets the minimum standard for acceptability, he's the only one that any conservative can in good conscience approve. Conservatives will NEVER back a liberal socialist, even a Republican liberal socialist.

[monkeyshine]

This is a defeatist, fatalist way which is sure to cost the right a lot on their agenda.

The right should broker their power, be the kingmaker. A partial victory and partial political power is better than no victory and no power.

[tallhappy]

McClintock could be elected, clearly, in this environment

Yes. A conservative Republican could have won in this environment. A conservative could have beaten Davis in 2002 but a horrible candidate, Simon, was chosen. And now the same people who supported Simon are now saying McClintock can't win, only Schwarzenegger can win. But they were wrong about Simon.

Schwarzenegger is the loose cannon.