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I live in California. Last year, Bill Simon lost to Gray Davis by less then 5% of the vote. The total number of illegal votes was over 5% (in some counties it was 37%) The state GOP here did not back Simon because he wasn't their chosen guy. The state GOP hurt his campaign big time. Some of the big shots even started a group ``Republicans for Davis.'' Whenever I pointed this out to anyone, I was told it was all Simon's fault and that no one else is to blame except the candidate himself. So why should it be any different from Schwarzenegger?

And as a post script, I called up my county GOP offices and volunteered. They gave me all the material, but they told me not to bother campaigning for Bill Simon and Tom McClintock actually. They said they were really trying for Bruce McPherson and not to worry about the rest, That sgould tell you something about the GOP in this state.

"I live in California. Last year, Bill Simon lost to Gray Davis by less then 5% of the vote. The total number of illegal votes was over 5% (in some counties it was 37%) The state GOP here did not back Simon because he wasn't their chosen guy. The state GOP hurt his campaign big time. Some of the big shots even started a group ``Republicans for Davis.'' Whenever I pointed this out to anyone, I was told it was all Simon's fault and that no one else is to blame except the candidate himself. So why should it be any different from Schwarzenegger?"

I live in Utah. The State GOP here has its faults as well. Believe me :-)

I am not aware of the lack of GOP support for Simon. From here it looked like he didn't run a very good campaign. From here it looked like he didn't connect with the majority of voters. In other words, it looked like he didn't do the very thing that you are saying that Arnold should do -- do what it takes to win.

I think that Arnold is running in a way that he thinks will win the election And he has to consider the possiblity that McClintock will play the role of spoiler and he needs to compensate for that.

But I guess my question for you is -- given the situation - given that Simon lost last year -- given that Arnold has a chance of winning and McClintock doesn't -- why not pull out the stops and go for the win? Why not try to effect a real, positive change -- even if it is less than perfect. Why not help?

I guess I can understand why you are disenchanted with the State GOP and think that Arnold should be held to the same standard as Simon -- but the election is days away. The stakes are high. Why not go for change? Why not go for someone who can improve the situation there -- even if it's less than what you want?

Nick, just out of curiousity, do you have information on the size of the illegal vote in California last election? I've assumed that illegals are having a growing impact in California elections, and are probably the reason that the state continues to tip so far to the left. But I've never seen any good data or research on the question. Do you have anything you can share?