[Hoverbug]

I would vote for McClintock in a Republican primary [snip]

And if you were told during that primary that if Tom were to win it, he'd have no chance against a democrat in the general election because a conservative can't win in California and only a socially liberal Republican could win, and that it is IMPERATIVE that Tom not win the primary for the good of the Party and to assure a win in the general election, what would you do?

Hb

[WOSG]

"And if you were told during that primary that if Tom were to win it, he'd have no chance against a democrat in the general election because a conservative can't win in California and only a socially liberal Republican could win,"

Hoverbug, I'd probably refute that 'electability' nonsense upfront:
Fact is, the moderates keep talking about how you need a moderate to 'win' in states like Cali or New Jersey. Not so!
Matt Fong and Bill Simon both got whupped in California, but fwiw, Bill Simon got whupped *less*, despite being a novice. Candidates have done more HARM by being too soft than as being straight out "here is what I am". I saw that in the Forrester 2002 campaign. Lautenberg licked him, yet Lautenberg was a weak candidate. he could have been taken out - a strong conservative could have done it. the model? Rick Santorum managed to win in Pennsylvania.

This recall election is a strange animal, yet despite the intense desire of so many to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory, a HUGE BLOW will befall the Democrats. Patronage, untrammelled funding of leftist organizations, a flood of bills making the fiscal situation worse, all could be stopped. Good thing Arnold is winning and not Davis. But let's be clear - if Arnold was pro 54 and more pro-life, his support would be IMHO just as strong.