Posted on 09/29/2003 5:15:01 PM PDT by ElephantMan
[Editorial]
Sean, Sean, Sean...
From the very minute that Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy for Governor of California, Sean Hannity's behavior has been more like a star struck groupie than a professional commentator or political pundit.
Sean has admitted many times, on both his radio and television shows, that his views are much closer to those of State Senator Tom McClintock, the real conservative in the race. Yet, Hannity supports Arnold.
He insists that he "hasn't endorsed anyone," but it's clear who his horse is in this race. Hey, we like Arnold too--and if McClintock wasn't running, we'd support him over Davis or Bustamonte without hesitation.
Sean praises Arnold at every turn. He repeatedly quoted from Arnold's "editorial" in the Wall Street Journal last week, stating his admiration for Arnold's views and citing the article as proof of Arnold's conservative bona fides--even after he was informed that the piece was ghost-written by the Club For Growth's, President, Stephen Moore. (How a seasoned political pro could even give that article a quick skim without questioning it's authorship is beyond us? Does it sound even remotely like any of Arnold's other campaign statements?)
Hannity defends his impartiality by saying that he has given more airtime to McClintock than Arnold. Even if that isn't simply because McClintock has been more available than Arnold, it makes little difference when the bulk of the interview is spent asking the same question a half a dozen different ways. The question, of course, being, "You can't win, why don't you drop out? Why are you going to split the vote? Aren't you going to give the election to Bustamonte?"
Sean maintains that he couldn't talk up McClintock early on because he didn't know enough about him prior to the debates. I maintain that part of his job is to learn more about the key players. It would have minimal effort to call a couple of his colleagues in California, i.e., Melanie Morgan, Roger Hedgecock and Tom Sullivan to find out if any of the other candidates were serious and/or viable. They would have all mentioned McClintock and Sean could have done some additional research--talked to Tom and found out that he was for real.
Sean's unequivocal and blind support from the beginning for Schwarzenegger is baffling. More importantly, his support comes at the expense of intellectual consistency. Consider the following:
Even though he thought Bill Clinton's actions 25-30 years ago were relevant to an election, as do we by the way, Sean repeatedly says that he "doesn't care about Arnold's actions from 20 years ago," and his views as expressed in the interview with a porn magazine in 1973. Sean says, "Hey, I'm not the same person I was 20 years ago." Actually, Sean, you're not the same person you were just a couple of years ago...
Based on his statements over the past several weeks, Sean thinks that we should vote for Arnold because:
1.) Arnold can win.
2.) Tom can't win.
Doesn't this sort of thinking suggest that we should only back "moderate" Republicans in all races? This would especially hold true for Presidential races--which means we should back someone like Olympia Snow or Colin Powell in '04 rather than Bush. After all, Bush is just "too conservative."
Of course, that makes no sense. And neither does Sean's support of Arnold.
And here's another thought for you Sean. What happens if the Gray Davis Dirt Digging and Demonization Machine finds the magic bullet and takes down the Terminator at the 11th hour? It's a very real scenario--and if it does happen won't we all be glad that McClintock remained in the race?
Worse, what happens if Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican Governor of California were to either not endorse Bush in '04 or even announce his support of a moderate Democrat?
Can you say M-A-J-O-R D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R???
Again, Sean should have done his homework. My guess is, he would have support Tom from the start. And that being the case, perhaps Tom would be 20-25 points in front of Arnold. Who knows, maybe Arnold wouldn't still be in it? Maybe he wouldn't have ever jumped in...
We love ya Sean. We thank God for you and your (usually) firm, brave voice for conservative issues. We put this site on the web over a year and half ago--we've supported you for a long time. But on this one, Sean, we respectfully think you're wrong.
We understand the arguments for supporting the guy who can win, "it's better than Bustamonte." And we agree that Bustamonte would be a true disaster for an already ailing state.
We also understand that most of the social issues where many conservatives agree more with Tom than Arnold, are out of the sphere of influence these men will enjoy in their role as governor.
But besides standing on principle and conviction, the main reason we support Tom is simple. We believe he can do the job. He's spent 25 years working intimately with CA budget issues and can spout off a systematic plan to reversing the state's fortunes on demand. This guy knows what needs to be done. What can be cut. What needs to be left alone.
And this recall election, the dynamics of which are so unique, may provide the best opportunity to project a true conservative into the position of Governor. Squandering that opportunity just to play it safe seems foolhardy to us. If Californians were given the chance to see a conservative in action, solving the state's problems and debunking the doom and gloom scare tactics the Left has used to keep conservatives out of office, i.e., scaring senior citizens that their social security will be cut or taken away, scaring women regarding the "right to choose" and so forth.
Unfortunately, thanks in no small part to your position on this issue, California is likely to lose that once-in-a-generation opportunity. Yes, he will probably not raise taxes. But we will subject California to governance by a total novice--to deal with problems that cause even the most experienced to tremble. Should his inexperience, regardless of who he surrounds himself with (And some of those on his team gave California its largest tax hike in history!), leave the state worse for his being there, Republicans will be blamed.
Will it be cool to have The Terminator as Governor of our State? Of course. But c'mon, we're not all young teenagers. Shouldn't we make our political choices based less on testosterone and adrenaline? And lastly, do we really want a man who calls Sen. Kennedy, "Uncle Teddy" to be carrying our banner? :::Shudder:::
All the best...
Matthew Reid, Founder
www.Hannity2004.com
OK. I will be honest.............. your wrong.
I was very surprised to see that poll as well, which I saw after I wrote the post you are responding to. I would also be fine if Arnold dropped out and allowed McClintock to win.
I still fear a split vote more then a Arnold victory.
Why do you bother with rabid hate mongers ~ most of whom, don't even have a vote in the matter. :-/
Sorry, but THAT is PURE BARBRA STREISAND!!!!!
See my earlier comments at:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/990452/posts?page=546#546 and
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/990452/posts?page=547#547
Good question. I find it entertaining. I live in the heart of dem country and have developed a pretty thick skin when they attack me on the opposite side and say I'm a conservative right-wing whacko. Hate mongers on both sides have helped me develop my humor skills - I thank them.
Cheers, CC:)
I heard that call too ...whew... It was passionate to say the least!
Actually, that's the myth that's become "true" by repeating itself over and over again.
The lie has been, "Tom can't beat Cruz. He's too conservative."
The truth is, that if Arnold got out of the race--McClintock would beat Bustamonte.
Look at the USA TODAY/CNN/GALLOP Poll taken Sep 25-27 and released yesterday:
6. If the choice were between Cruz Bustamante, the Democrat and Tom McClintock, the Republican, who would you be more likely to vote for: Cruz Bustamante or Tom McClintock?
Registered voters answered:
McClintock: 49
Bustamonte: 42
Neither: 6
Other: *
No Opinion: 3
Probable voters answered:
McClintock: 56
Bustamonte: 37
Neither: 5
Other: *
No Opinion: 2
NOW who would you rather have carrying the Republican banner????
That is silly. I'm sure that McClintock got his package to Sean. As did the other 137 candidates for Governor.
It was up to Sean to figure out if any of them were for real.
The spinning from the Arnoldites continues...
It goes without saying, that I, along with most McClintock voters, will be likely to "pull the lever" for Arnold on Election Day if Tom's numbers don't move by then.
My problem with Sean and others like him, is their rush. What is the hurry? This is a race! It seems to me, the smart thing to do is hold your cards close to your vest. Support your true convictions until the last minute, then hold your nose and vote the lesser of two bads if it looks like you'll be "throwing your vote away" -- or worse, unintentionally putting a socialist liberal Dem in office as a result of your vote.
Again, I think Sean's logic makes sense--IF it's implemented at the last possible moment. But 3 weeks ago, it was far too early and way out of line to as Tom if he's going to get out.
I think Sean, and others like him painted McClintock into the corner where he can't get out at the last minute. And if you step back and think about it honestly for a minute--detached from your passions--I think you'll agree.
All the best...
It's worth noting that the person who knows him best, thinks he is wrong on this...
It's also worth noting that your cute little tag line is dead wrong. (See the USA Today / CNN / Gallup Poll take 9/25-27 that shows Tom would clober Cruz.)
It's one thing to be wrong, but to be so cocky and bullheaded about your wrongness...ouch. It's painful to watch.
But your argument is based on the idea that McClintock vs. Bustamonte means Bustamonte wins.
See USA Today / CNN / Gallup Poll quoted above...
My advice to those who think like this:
Stop believing things just because they are repeated over and over again as fact, stop being spoon fed what you believe by conventional wisdom and start thinking for yourself!!!
If Arnold had a (D) next to his name instead of an (R) you'd be saying the exact opposite.
To some extent, I understand why you believe that Arnold is the only one who can win. That's what you've been told over and over and over again by Hannity and Elder and the Establishment Media, etc.
But it is your responsibility to think for yourself.
The truth is, Tom can win--in fact he WILL win if Arnold gets out. So why are we, as conservatives, sticking with a guy who calls supporters of Prop 54 "Right Wing Crazies?"
C'mon people!
Using this logic, you'd end up with people like Bob Dole and George Bush as Republican Presidential Nominees--oh, wait--nevermind.
Prediction: Arnie passes a bunch of liberal programs but neverless meets Bush in Sancremeto at a big rally and says everyone should go out and vote for him. Unfortunately Arnold can't come up with a single-issue they are united on. (see George Ryan, George Pataki, Christie Todd Whitman's Bush endorsements in 2000)
Whether or not Bush wins the general election, the RAT candidate EASILY carries California by about 12-14% Star-struck Arnie supporters are at a loss to explain why the state did not MAGICALLY go to Bush because Governor Arnie said so.
Forget contacting him. Just contact his networks and tell them that you won't listen to Sean anymore and you want RUSH back on TV. Remember when Rush had his own TV show and did "reaction" shots to some liberal making a speech? It was hillarious!
My wife knows me best, but knows little to nothing of how I do my job. But if she were to speak on the subject you think she'd be speaking with authority? According to your logic she would. Amazing.
It's also worth noting that your cute little tag line is dead wrong. (See the USA Today / CNN / Gallup Poll take 9/25-27 that shows Tom would clober Cruz.)
Do you not have any control over how incredibly desperate you let yourself sound? Apparently not.
Not a single person here gave CNN an ounce of credibility prior to the recall campaign. The same could be (and was) said for the liberally biased LA Times. But you TomBots, in your dire desperation have clung to the results of both LA Times and CNN polls as if they were gospel. They're not. They're every bit the liberal spin machines they were before this election; the only thing that's changed is your desire/want/need to agree with their findings. That's so pathetically desperate!
It's one thing to be wrong, but to be so cocky and bullheaded about your wrongness...ouch. It's painful to watch.
You're obviously too dim to recognize the pain's being afflicted on you, Tom, and every other TomBot who's pathetic desperation for something...anything substantive to sustain mcclintock's losing cause. Simply put...the joke's on you, you're just too dim to realize it.
Have a nice day, and, thanks for the laugh.
CNN? LMAO!!!!!!!!
I'm tired of it. I'd rather have an avowed liberal screwing things up in the open than a liberal in conservative clothes pretending to be a moderate screwing things up behind my back. In the end, the result is the same, but at least the former presents an easier target.
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