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"we are simply political realists "

This is the excuse used by people who have no vision of growing the conservative movement, and accept the world as the liberals have parsed it. (Once you accept your ideological opponent's description of the world, you have ceded not only the battle, but the war!) Why vote for someone who doesn't represent your own values? Why put someone in power who won't do the conservative thing? Why dilute the Republican party's principles for one measly election? And that's another point -- all those who advocate selling out on this large a scale are saying that principles don't matter and that it is better to have an unprincipled man in power with an R than it is to have no power at all.

The problem is that doing so blows all your "integrity points" and that's what voters look for -- integrity. Arnold won't help the Ca pubbies win the next election or bring on board Republicans in other positions, for the simple reason that when faced with the choice of two liberals, the brainwashed masses will choose the Democrat.

In the end, no matter what happens in this election, the outsiders and the conservatives see that the party whores itself for whatever big name star comes along. They sell out whatever they believe in for the naked pursuit of power. Thus far that kind of sleaziness had been associated with Democrats. Arnold now associates it with Republicans, and the voters won't forget that.

This is the excuse used by people who have no vision of growing the conservative movement, and accept the world as the liberals have parsed it.

I disagree. The view of the right in this case is totally fatalist. It is to say that things cannot get worse. And in that it is defeatist, because things will get worse if the right is shut out of political power.

If the right is a kingmaker it will have meaning and resonance. If it is a spoiler it will have nothing.

You are obviously unaware of who his chief political advisers are, all stronger conservatives than A.S. himself.

The concept of growing the conservative movement is not tied intrinsicly to elections. The grass roots education and growth of among the population does not rely upon the 'nomination' or support by the party of any particular individual in any given electoral race. However, growth is not, IMLTHO, forwarded by the party supporting candidates who simply cannot win. This is CA. An (R) needs more than just party line conservative support. A.S. 'throwing' his support to McC will not cause the (D)s and (I)s supporting A.S. to move to the McC camp. However, the converse is true, most McC supporters would vote for A.S. over C.B. and that almost ensures an A.S. victory. This is the reality we face. There is no viable classic conservative and the day of choice is coming soon.

Maybe you all can just write in Pat Buchanen ... his chances are almost as good ....