Posted on 09/24/2003 12:11:47 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
The big debate gets underway at 6:00 p.m. tonight, PST, and the media is working itself into a frenzy. My take is that unless Arnold comes up with the California equivalent of President Ford's declaration of a free Poland in 1976, the debate will be a non-factor in the race.
Oh, it could seal the end of Tom McClintock's career if he tries to land cheap shots on Arnold, and it might scare another few points away from Cruz when he announces his latest lame-brained idea ("We should socialize surfing all boards the same length, all waves the same height and rides divided up equally, with extra attention paid to people who cannot surf!"). Arianna's desperation is growing more and more repellant, so expect some shrieking from her end of the stage, but generally, a non-event.
But no matter how odd the behavior of the second-tier candidates, or how boring the questions, it just won't matter. There is only one issue that matters to most voters. It absorbs all other issues in this race: The corruption in Sacramento.
The workers' comp mess? It is about the corrupt influence of the trial lawyers. The huge giveaways to prison guards and other public-employee unions? The corrupt influence of big labor. The massive expansion of tribal casinos and the obscene amount of money pouring from the slots into the voting process? The corrupt influence of California's Indian tribes.
Most of this corruption is legal. Most corruption is. But the stench of the decay in Sacramento doesn't diminish because Gray Davis has invented transparency in payoffs. The tribes brazenly gave millions to Cruz who transferred it to an anti-initiative campaign that features, surprise, Cruz. The money-laundering is out in the open, on the front lawn of the State House but it is no less corrupt.
The tribes pumped huge sums into a pro-McClintock fund. This is legal, but it stinks. It is a manipulation of the electorate a cynical assist to Cruz via the draining of votes from Arnold. Corrupt? Of course it is. Tom McClintock cannot raise enough money on his own under the $21,200 limit of the law, so he's welcoming the tribes' largesse via an independent expenditure.
Every single interest group lined up to get something from Gray as Gov. Clouseau's career dwindled into its final month. All the hands were stuck out, and Gray walked the line distributing bennies all along the way. Hiram Johnson never imagined corruption on this scale. The Los Angeles Times tut-tuts that the recall is bad for the state. How can anything that smashes the machine up north be bad for the state?
The scale of the collapse of public ethics is so huge that most pundits have given up commenting on it. Tammany is reincarnate. The Davis administration is epic in its fundraising and epic in its deal-making. It is the only thing that will be memorable about Davis the size of his appetite for cash and the sleaze that was required to feed that appetite.
On Thursday, observers will be dissecting what Arnold said about paid leave or what Cruz said about the car tax. How boring and how beside the point.
This election is about the numbers of people that have a share in Davis, Inc. vs. the rest of us.
I think there are more of us than there are of them and that as a result Arnold wins hands down. Only McClintock can save Cruz at this point. The only interesting question is will he?
I think Tom McClintock has already written off his future in politics. He just doesn't care what anyone in the party thinks, and that might sound cute and noble, but how's that attitude going to get anything done with a bunch of lefty legislative nuts in Sacratomato, let alone the GOP?
I'm anticipating that tonight it's going to be a free for all attack on Arnold, the man everyone knows is the frontrunner, the man who has inspired the request of 400 press credentials from all over the world to cover tonight's debate.
Saw them do that on the local ABC news last night. About mid-way through the program, one talking head announced that Issa said he was withdrawing support for the recall and voting no and didn't explain the rest. My jaw dropped at the blatant deception. I guess there were some irate phone calls to the station because just before they went off the air, there was a very quick insertion of a clarification made that Issa said there were too many republicans on the ticket to guarantee a win by the republicans and he might vote no if someone doesn't drop out.
First off, I've never engaged in any scorched earth policy, nor have I ripped apart Republicans. I said I've lost respect for Hugh Hewitt. I think Sean Hannity is wrong. I have severely criticized those who would support Arnold and set aside their principles and convictions, to vote for a liberal Republican.
>>>Is it OK to violate RR's 11th amendment (thous shall not attack fellow Republicans)?
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not Ronald Reagan and more importantly, neither is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold is a self professed social liberal and over the last month, I've yet to see Arnold express a political agenda that seriously addresses the issues related to fiscal conservatsim.
>>>Comments on FR that Arnold supporters hate Tom and wouldn't vote for him are just ludicrous and divisive. 90% or more of us would vote for Tom if we felt he had a realistic change...
I don't know why your lumping me in with those who "hate" Arnold. I don't hate Arnold. I just don't agree with his politics and have said so going back some 6-7 weeks now. Many conservative Republicans are of the same opinion.
We don't believe Arnold advances the conservative agenda and the GOP party platform. That is the basis for my opposityion to his candidacy.
>>>so...
The choice is clear... BustamanteDavis or Arnold.
My vote would have been obvious. Yours?
I don't have a vote in California, but if I did, I would cast it for Tom McClintock. If Arnold was a moderate Republican and made a serious effort to address the issues that concern conservative Republicans, I wouldn't hesitate to support him. Arnold hasn't addressed those issues as they relate to conservative Republicans. I can't support a liberal, Republican or not.
By the way, those questions and comments weren't targeted towards you in any way, just more of a general comment towards the McClintock supporters.
Don't forget everyone who endorsed Schwarzenegger. You can't respect them anymore either.Here are a few MORE "RINOs" from http://www.joinarnold.com/en/leadership/endorsements.php:
The list gets pretty long for you doesn't it.
California Chamber of Commerce
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
California State Firefighters' Association
California Farm Bureau Federation
Western Growers Association
Associated Builders & Contractors
The Latino Coalition
SENECA NETWORK, INC
Iranian American Republican Council of California
Filipino-American Republican Council of California
Chinese American Republican Council of California
Laotian American Republican Council of California
Vietnamese American Republican Council of California
National Republican Hispanic Assembly
California Republican National Hispanic Assembly
Japanese American Republicans
California Republican League
California Young Republicans
California Women's Leadership Association
The New Majority Committee
Republican Leadership Council
Coachella Valley Lincoln Club
Los Angeles County Lincoln Club
Northern California Lincoln Club
The Lincoln Club of Orange County
Riverside County Lincoln Club
Lincoln Club of San Diego
Lincoln Club of Santa Barbara
Ventura County Lincoln Club
Congresswoman Mary Bono
Congressman Ken Calvert
Congressman Chris Cox
Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham
Congressman David Dreier
Congressman Jerry Lewis
Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon
Congressman Gary Miller
Congressman Devin Nunes
Congressman Doug Ose
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher
Congressman Ed Royce
State Senator Roy Ashburn
State Senator Jim Battin
State Senator Jeff Denham
State Senator Ross Johnson
State Senator Bruce McPherson
Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian
Assemblywoman Patricia Bates
Assemblyman John Benoit
Assemblyman Russ Bogh
Assemblyman John Campbell
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher
Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia
Assemblyman Ray Haynes
Assemblyman Tom Harman
Assemblywoman Shirley Horton
Assemblyman Guy Houston
Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa
Assemblyman Tim Leslie
Assemblyman Abel Maldonado
Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy
Assemblyman Robert Pacheco
Assemblyman George Plescia
Assemblyman Keith Richman
Assemblyman Todd Spitzer
Assemblyman Mark Wyland
Jeannine Martineau, President - California School Boards Association*
Marian Bergeson - Former Secretary Governor's Office of Child Development and Education
Superintendent Rudy Castruita - San Diego County Office of Education
Superintendent David Long - Riverside County Office of Education
Superintendent William Habermehl - Orange County Office of Education
Superintendent Pete Mehas - Fresno County Office of Education
Raymond Bender - Trustee, Center Unified School District
Philip Yarbrough - Trustee, Rancho Santiago Community College District
Stewart Morris, Jr. - President, Temecula Valley Unified School District
Public Safety
Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS)
Doris Tate Crime Victims Bureau
Memory of Victims Everywhere (MOVE)
Citizens for Law & Order
Former California State Fire Marshall Ron Coleman
Sheriff Bob Brooks - Ventura County
Sheriff Bob Doyle - Riverside County
Sheriff Charles Plummer - Alameda County
Sheriff Keith Royal - Nevada County
Chief Richard Bull - City of Ripon
Chief Burnham Matthews - City of Alameda
Chief Manuel Ortega - City of Bell Gardens
Chief Craig Steckler - City of Fremont
Ed Jagels - District Attorney, Kern County
Mike Ramos - District Attorney, San Bernardino County
Michael Riese - District Attorney, Del Norte County
Thomas Reeves - Prosecutor, City of Long Beach
Robert Shannon - City Attorney, City of Long Beach
Mike Reynolds - Author, Three Strikes Law
Local Government
Supervisor R. J. Beeler - Butte County
Supervisor Kim Yamaguchi - Butte County
Supervisor Paul Stein - Calaveras County
Supervisor Keith Hansen - Glenn County
Supervisor Ted Gaines - Placer County
Supervisor Robert Weygandt - Placer County
Supervisor William Dennison - Plumas County
Councilmember Gregory Gandrud - City of Carpenteria
Mayor George Stettler - Cathedral City
Councilmember Charles England - Cathedral City
Councilmember John McCann - City of Chula Vista
Councilmember Roberta MacGlashan - City of Citrus Heights
Mayor Gary Monahan - City of Costa Mesa
Mayor Walt Allen - City of Covina
Councilmember Richard Lowenthal - City of Cupertino
Councilmember Jill Orr - City of Dixon
Mayor Sophia Scherman - City of Elk Grove
Mayor Jerome Stocks - City of Encinitas
Councilmember James Bond - City of Encinitas
Councilmember Dan Dalager - City of Encinitas
Councilmember Christy Guerin - City of Encinitas
Councilmember Ed Gallo - City of Escondido
Mayor Steve Miklos - City of Folsom
Mayor Mel Berti - City of Fortuna
Mayor Alan Autry - City of Fresno
Councilmember Jerry Duncan - City of Fresno
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Clesceri - City of Fullerton
Mayor Frank Cook - City of Gridley
Mayor Lori Van Arsdale - City of Hemet
Councilmember Robert Meadows - City of Hemet
Councilmember Robin Reeser- Lowe - City of Hemet
Mayor Edward Escareno - City of Huntington Park
Mayor Robert Bernheimer - City of Indian Wells
Councilmember Ed Monarch - City of Indian Wells
Councilmember Conrad Negron - City of Indian Wells
Councilmember James Gomez - City of La Habra
Vice Mayor Ernest Ewin - City of La Mesa
Councilmember Dave Allan - City of La Mesa
Councilmember Terry Henderson - City of La Quinta
Councilmember Ron Perkins - City of La Quinta
Councilmember Marcia Rudolph - City of Lake Forest
Councilmember Tom Cosgrove - City of Lincoln
Mayor Ed Murray - City of Lindsay
Vice Mayor Frank Colona - City of Long Beach
Mayor Pro Tem Michael Ucovich - Town of Loomis
Councilmember Fred Freeman - City of Los Alamitos
Mayor Rob Schroeder - City of Martinez
Mayor Michael Kasperzak - City of Mountain View
Mayor Steven Bromberg - City of Newport Beach
Mayor Harvey Sullivan - City of Norco
Councilmember Frank Hall - City of Norco
Councilmember Herb Higgins - City of Norco
Treasurer Joe Yew - City of Oakland
Mayor Mike Murphy - City of Orange
Councilmember Jim Ferguson - City of Palm Desert
Mayor James Ueford - City of Palmdale
Mayor Pro Tem Michael Dispenza - City of Palmdale
Councilmember Richard Loa - City of Palmdale
Councilmember Richard Norris - City of Palmdale
Mayor Mickey Cafagna - City of Poway
Mayor Dave Roberts - City of Rancho Cordova
Mayor Pro Tem Linda Budge - City of Rancho Cordova
Councilmember David Sander - City of Rancho Cordova
Councilmember Alan Seman - City of Rancho Mirage
Councilmember Colleen Jordan - Redwood City
Councilmember Dan Prince - City of Ripon
Councilmember Ed Adkison - City of Riverside
Vice Mayor Brett Storey - City of Rocklin
Councilmember Jim Madaffer - City of San Diego
Mayor F.H. Smith - City of San Marcos
Vice Mayor Mike Preston - City of San Marcos
Councilmember Lee Thibadeau - City of San Marcos
Mayor Cameron Smyth - City of Santa Clarita
Mayor Randy Vogel - City of Santee
Mayor Tom Golich - City of Solana Beach
Vice Mayor Joe Kellejian - City of Solana Beach
Mayor Ron Warner - City of Tehama
Councilmember Pat McIntyre - City of Torrance
Councilmember Frank Scotto - City of Torrance
Councilmember Doug Davert - City of Tustin
Vice Mayor Pauline Clancy - City of Vacaville
Mayor Steve Herfert - City of West Covina
Mayor Pro Tem Russell Paris - City of Westminster
Councilmember Karen Cartoscelli - Yuba City
* Title for Identification Purposes Only
I told you many weeks back D1, respect is a two way street.
You're pretty good at placing words in other peoples mouths. You just did it with me. If you look at RE:#146, you may get some insight into my politics, that goes beyond your fabricated soundbite.
People can hold differing opinions and still agree on many issues. The issue of who to replace Boy Davis with, is important to the future of the California GOP and the conservative movement in general. In my book, Arnold doesn't measure up to my ideas, beliefs and values of conservatism and what I've learned through the years, from the likes of Bill Buckley, Ronald Reagan and Rush Limbaugh. Period.
Some people on FR (claiming to be "pure" republicans) seem to rewrite this oath to include/exclude more than it does.
I didn't ignore it, I was busy working, and posting on other threads... After you "star power" comment, your post doesn't really warrant any response... If you think that I, and other Arnold supporters back him cause he's a star, you're beyond delusional.
How about... he's eons better than BustamanteDavis? Call him a lib all you want. He's a lib on social issues, which no governor in Cali will have the power to change (not even McClintock), a moderate on fiscal issues.
Thanks for posting your comments about the Indian Gaming in #158. Cannot believe that they are allowed to just get the land and build a casino when no one has even heard of the tribe! It was an obvious conclusion to reach that the Indians were not capable of pulling this off by themselves. Now I find out that Boxer's son is involved -- not surprised!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.