For the GOP, it's More than a Recall

Lt. Col. Gil Ferguson, USMC (Ret.)

[StoneColdGOP]

There is no argument about the serious condition of our once golden state. Our debt is greater than all the other states combined, we are but a few million dollars away from bankruptcy. Our tax burden and over regulations are driving business out of the state at an unprecedented rate.

We are at a crucial point in our state’s history. The people themselves; Democrat, Republican and Independents, without the approval or help from any party have called for an election to recall this governor and replace him with another, one who will hopefully lead us out of this mess.

There appears to be a wide agreement on the first question; should we recall Governor Davis. The second part, choosing a new governor, will not be difficult for most Democrats: theirs is a party line vote with only one candidate, Lt. Gov. Bustamante. And even though he said he will raise taxes and further regulate and tax business, forcing more of them to leave, they will vote for him.

For Republicans however this election is about more than which Republican we should vote for. This election is more about the party itself; will we continue to be a party of principle, directed by the philosophy of Lincoln and Reagan or have we laid our principles aside? Do we want to win so badly that it doesn’t matter how or who, just so the next governor has an R behind his name?

The GOP has two candidates: Arnold Schwarzenegger, a celebrity of worldwide fame, with popularity and fame as the Terminator and recognized as a super star among movie idols. He is a good man. His celebrity status alone will attract a huge number of votes for the GOP from Independents, Democrats and especially young voters. Among the 18 to 30 year olds, he is Britney Spears with muscles. They wow over him. Most moderate Republicans and many regular Republicans, those who desperately want a Republican to win, will vote for him. They are prepared to look beyond his political beliefs and character; they just want to win.

Sen. McClintock, on the other hand, is an icon among Republicans. Since the first day he was elected to office, nearly twenty years ago, he has led the fight against the very forces and policies that have now badly tarnished this once golden state. He fought Governor Wilson’s huge tax increase, just as hard as he fought Willie Brown and Gray Davis. His credentials, as well as his character as a conservative Republican, are impeccable.

He has been our party’s leader and severest critic of fraud, corruption and waste in state government. From the very beginning of his career until today, he has warned that unless spending was brought under control, California would end up as it has today.

The knock on McClintock is that he can’t raise the money and so, can’t win this election. The knock on Schwarzenegger is that he is not a true Republican and carries a lot of baggage that the Democrats will probably throw at him just before the election.

Actually, Arnold is no higher in the polls than he was when he started, whereas McClintock has risen from an asterisk to double digits.

In the last election, McClintock was outspent 30 to 1, yet he received more votes than any other other Republican on election day. Had those moderates claiming Tom can’t win today contributed to his election, or given him his fair share of the money donated by the national party, he would have won. McClintock lost the Controller’s race by the slimmest margin in history. Had he been helped by the moderates controlling our state party, California would not now be in the awful mess in which we find ourselves today.

The moderates of the party and most of the GOP congressmen are just where they were prior to the last Governor’s race. On orders from the White House and Karl Rove, many "conservative" congressman support Schwarzenegger, just as they endorsed the moderate Richard Riordan.

The moderates in our party, including the New Majority and those in the Lincoln Club, are intensely interested in electing Schwarzenegger, a moderate. They believe the party’s future, especially in California, is to adopt the Karl Rove/Parsky plan; we must forgo the values of the liberals and accept the invasion of illegals, adopt the big tent, tax and spend and big government philosophy of the Democrats.

Conservatives know that our party’s losses in California, all during the past decade, are due to millions of illegals who have entered California, and – the continued split in our party between the moderate, "Country Club" Republicans and the conservatives.

While Arnold has a high rating in the polls, it has never risen above where it started. McClintock on the other hand has been continually rising, from as asterisk to double digits. There is a cry from moderate Republicans and "concern" from the media that McClintock should withdraw in favor of Arnold, else the GOP might not win and the dreadful Bustamante will become governor.

This dilemma among the GOP might not be so tragic or apocryphal if the contest was between two conservatives, say Simon and McClintock, one would drop out when just before the election the other was ahead. The same can be said if the two Republicans were Arnold and some equally famous, moderate movie star, but it isn’t.

It’s between our brightest Republican star, a conservative icon and a dazzling celebrity. Conservatives at the core of the party are incredulous at those moderates who don’t share those core values, yet are asking the conservative standard bearer to drop out. Conservatives want to win but they know that a win that asks us to repudiate our principles is not a victory, it’s a harbinger of the end.

Lieutenant Colonel Gil Ferguson, USMC (Ret.), served in the California State Assembly from 1984 to 1994.

[nosofar]

Also, the tag team of Schwarzenegger/McClintock will help propel McClintock in a run against Boxer for Congress in 2004. That, in my opinion, would do more for California and the GOP than a McClintock win for governor in 2003.

Most likely, McClintock and other conservatives would just be ignored... until election time came around again, of course.

[truthkeeper]

You forgot "He's conservative because he wants to make all illegals legal as soon as possible."

Now THAT'S conservative!

[nosofar]

Look, you let slip your moorings on the right and the only thing thats gonna happen is you'll drift to the left.

Right over the falls.

[GopherIt]

There are two political things essential to the future of this country, including to the principles of conservatism:
1) the re-election of President Bush in 2004, and 2) the expansion of the Republican Senatorial majority (and knocking out key Democrats). To the extent that Conservatives contribute to those goals, not by votes but by activism, will they have the ear of those that will make things happen.
I'm an old Okie elsewhere situated, but I recall 15 years ago that besides God's, it was called Reagan's Country. Now look. Thank's for what you say and do, PKM! But is this a warmup to FR next spring, a battle with the Enablers?

[Sabertooth]

Just for the record, I'm votng to recall Davis regardless of who's leading the polls on the morning of October 7th.

It's way past time to break eggs and make omelettes.

[My2Cents]

We've witnessed pragmatic conservatives who want to get Gray Davis out and are willing to accept half-a-loaf to do so, butting heads with ivory tower conservatives who argue that we should all act according to our convictions and vote for the most pristine conservative, regardless of his electability, but these recall debates have turned into more of a war among Freepers. What I fear now is that the unintended result of the recall will be the Republican Party of California further tearing itself apart, and being more battered and ineffective than it was before the recall began.

And I fear this "Arnold War" will spill over into Bush's reelection next year, with hardcore ivory tower conservatives refusing to help in his reelection because Bush isn't "conservative enough" for their tastes. In short, the recall, which should have been an opportunity for Republican unity, is turning into a slow death by a thousand self-inflicted cuts.

I think I'm through with these Recall threads. This particular one has pushed me over the edge.

[nosofar]

"As governor, I promise you – our laws will mean something."

Just not what you expect.

[pgyanke]

"As governor, I promise you – our laws will mean something." - (R)nold

Double-entendre. There are more than a few laws in CA that should be reworked.

[TomasUSMC]

"If you were the coach of a football team using your logic, every play you would make would be throwing for a touch down pass because trying to gain one yard at a time is compromising your principles ? Thats nuts. "

Humm lets do da math. 1 yard at a time x 4 downs = FOUR YARDS! You need 10 yards for a first down.

What did you say was nuts?

[skeeter]

And I fear this "Arnold War" will spill over into Bush's reelection next year, with hardcore ivory tower conservatives refusing to help in his reelection because Bush isn't "conservative enough" for their tastes. In short, the recall, which should have been an opportunity for Republican unity, is turning into a slow death by a thousand self-inflicted cuts.

Agreed. And the name calling, which I and others have tried to avoid, sure hasn't helped.

Maybe we - you, me and those you pinged - should be directing our fire at the democrats, huh?

[nosofar]

Simon? The "RINO" who has endorsed Arnold? LOL!

Constantly slinging the term 'RINO' around is really getting a little ridiculous. 'Republicans' is just a political party. I don't believe anyone owns the rights to the name. But if you have to use it, at least get it right.

[GSWarrior]

And if that comes down to choosing between someone much worse or someone who will compromise the soul of the very Republican Party which is tainting itself to win, I'll vote to keep Davis.

I respect that....heck I may even join you.

[skeeter]

Was your post directed at me? It seems your arguing with someone else.

I've voted straight GOP in this state since 1980. I, unlike others here, did NOT vote for Perot in 92 & 96. I understand California's voters just fine.

My point was if ever there was a time a guy like TM could have won in CA, it is now. Sadly, as things have developed, with a hollywood action hero entering the race & a majority of the GOP star struck & all, that now seems quite unlikely.

[My2Cents]

Maybe we - you, me and those you pinged - should be directing our fire at the democrats, huh?

I agree. But I have to say that this self-righteous baloney we've been hearing from the remnant of McClintock's supporters on FR that "Arnold's a Kennedy," "Arnold's a liberal," "Arnold is a RINO," "those who vote for Arnold are RINOs," "those who vote for Arnold have abandoned conservativism," "those who vote for Arnold aren't Christians," (and I've seen worse) is offensive beyond words. I'm always ready to go after the Dems, because they are the embodiment of evil in this nation, but as to "dialoguing" with self-righteous morons -- I'm through.

[Tamzee]

Ouch... a rough thread? I just signed on today and am almost afraid to read it ;-)

[nosofar]

Not if you look at what is happening to Republican issues across the nation. We are becoming more Republicrat every day as we continually compromise to get along. That's not for me or my house.

70 years ago, Democrats were to the Right of present-day Republicans. The entire Communist platform of 1932 has been implemented as the law of the land and is supported by both parties. I don't say this is completely a bad thing, just that we have been trending to the left in this country for a long time.

[StoneColdGOP]

Then I commend you, my friend, for being one of the conservatives willing to hold into your principles.

[skeeter]

self-righteous morons

'nuff said.

[StoneColdGOP]

And by the way, I stand by what I said.

[djreece]

What on earth gives you the idea that FReeper McClintock supporters voted for Perot? You could not be more wrong.

You will more likely find most of the former Perot and McCain supporters now attracted to Arnold.