Posted on 09/26/2003 2:54:23 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo
[Opinion. Open for Discussion.]
The vitriol and passion are reaching unparalleled heights.
Arnold Schwarzenegger feels he is close to an October 7th victory and that a knockout punch of both Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante is within tantalizing reach.
Were it all not for one jagged pebble in his hiking boot. State Senator Tom McClintock.
Both sides are polarized, even here and especially here, on Free Republic. And for damned good reason.
One side, comprised of so-called "RINOs", (moderate-centrists), later joined by pragmatic conservatives who see the paramount need to dethrone the irresponsible and dangerous Socialist Democrat regime in Sacramento, have dug in their heels in for a pitched battle against their new nemesis: the ranks of conservatives of principle who strongly support the continuation of their choice, Senator Tom McClintock, in order to prevent a sellout of the state of California to centrist or moderate political policies down the road.
OK. "Let's Make a Deal".
First, we must accept the fact that the Schwarzenegger camp and the candidate himself feel they are several cards short of a royal flush. This is extremely tempting to them. They thirst and hunger for a dropout of their main opponent, to propel them within reach of the goal. The dropout of Conservative Senator Tom McClintock. As anyone knows in sales and bargaining anywhere worldwide, the bargaining party that stands to gain the most should be willing to be flexible, albeit for a price, to secure it's wishes. That party in this case is Mr. Schwarzenegger and his supporters and the traditional Republican Party Elite. On the other hand, Tom McClintock can look at the numbers and come to the conclusion that more than likely the Democrats will retain power. But he stands in the gap for millions of conservative voters not only in California, but nationwide, who do NOT want their voices to be lost if a RINO were to take charge. Accordingly, by the end of the weekend with a little over one week left in the game, I call upon the Senator to enter discussions with Mr. Schwarzenegger to 'seal the deal.' Here is the possible deal, other approximations or ideas could be entertained, but it is a starting template.
Arrangement #1: Sen. Tom McClintock will withdraw from the gubernatorial re-call race and issue a clear endorsement of Arnold Schwarzenegger and will insist that all of his supporters turn out in droves on 7 October or cast absentee ballots for Arnold Schwarzenegger. By most polls (with the minority liberal candidate Bustamante predictably 'over polling' at the moment), it is within the realm of possibility that as a Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger will be elected.
If we are to take Mr. Schwarzenegger at his word, he has recently and graciously extended somewhat of an olive branch to Mr. McClintock, in the spirit and words of "let's work together. Let's have a partnership." In reciprocating, McClintock kept most of his wrath in public forum towards the liberal Democratic toady, while staying on message and clear-cut about his own conservative and unshakeable philosophies. Bravo.
This is a good start and a basis to encourage this kind of Arnold-Tom discussion in the next few strategic days.
Arrangement #2: Mr. Schwarzenegger will graciously, and very publicly accept this key strategic concession and endorsement. His supporters will cease attacks upon Mr. McClintock and Mr. McClintock's supporters will cease attacks upon Mr. Schwarzenegger. All parties will turn out in vigor to vote on Election Day.
Agreement #3: In a equally major concession to Tom McClintock and his formidable conservative base, [which deserve a voice and influence], which shall derive assurances and benefits; to-wit, if elected as Governor by recall on October 7th, Governor-elect Schwarzenegger shall cede to Senator McClintock the selection and nominating rights of the following gubernatorial appointed positions, and shall not veto the names of those Californians brought forth by Mr. McClintock:
--Public Employee Retirement System Director,
--State Personnel Board Commission,
--State Board of Education,
--(abolish) Racial Profiling Panel of the Outreach and Diversity Task Force,
--Secretary Health and Human Services Agency,
--Chairman, Statewide Health and Planning Agency
--Director of the Department of Health Services
--Heads of the Maternal and Child Health, the Office of Family Planning, and the Office of Women's Health
Agreement #4:Provided Mr. McClintock were to enter the Republican primary for United States Senator from the State of California in the next general election, Mr. Schwarzenegger would offer an early and irretrievable endorsement of him.
The stakes are high. A 'win-win', in order to secure the state against the Democrats at the same time adding IRON CLAD assurance to conservatives that they will be a strong force and factor in any Republican Administration, can be achieved. The template can vary. Both parties have to start from somewhere.
There are risks and giving involved in this. For Tom, he loses the prospect of becoming Governor. But wait. He may well be United States Senator in a short period from now, in addition to wielding good force in the selection of key personnel. For Arnold, he faces the prospect of losing Maria (half joke, half serious here), but he comes into striking range of becoming Governor. Without a concession on his part, this will not become a reality.
I suggest that if conservatives cannot be granted concessions as I have suggested, there is no use in voting for Schwarzenegger, and they should go to the polls in droves to support Tom McClintock, to send a strong message to the polls and media that a potent, and huge conservative voting base in California remains intact.
Now it's time to sit down, loosen the ties, have a cigar or two, and start horse-trading.
Liberal Arnold has given every indication that he is a RINO, not a moderate centrist. Lets start with his environmental policy written by Robert Kennedy Jr.. His opposiiton to Prop 54 advanced by moderate-centrist Ward Connerly is another RINO indication. His calling opponents of government categorizing people by race as "right-wing crazies" is another RINO indication. Connerly is prettay dang moderate. There is no room to the left of him in the Republican Party.
Finally, if Arnold really cared about the Republican party he would step aside and let the guy who supports the party and has for 20 years win. He'd let the guys who supports the paltform win.
We have gotten so close. It is too bad that one man with a huge ego is ruining it all. Please, please Arnold. See the light. Drop out before it is too late.
If you want a winning deal, Tom might be willing to consider appointing Arnold to something he's qualified for, like an office to stimulate the movie industry or as liasion to the bricklayers union. A deal COULD happen, but someone has to call Tom and ask him.
Me thinks it aint going to happen, for it would have come to this conclusion already.
but that is good. it shows me where weaknesses are in the idea and how their objections can be overcome. at any rate, i think this kind of talk between the 2 camps may well be taking place anyways over the next 48 to 72 hours.
Although she also applied it to Pete Wilson, Arnold's adviser.
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