Pataki has been the "Republican" governor of New York for several terms. In no presidential election during those terms has the GOP candidate for president carried New York. Pataki, like Arnie, is a social issue surrender monkey. They are NOT party builders. They are not party leaders. They care only for power and perks and are utterly unprincipled people.
California will not go Republican even for governor by voting for Arnold since he is not one. We certainly won't witness any marionette of Wilson's like Arnold do much of anything, much less much of anything effective to re-elect Dubya. If Tom had dropped out the instant that Arnie announced and endorsed Arnie, he would NEVER have received the support of Wilson (in particular) or his marionette or their friends for the US Senate and what's more he would have forfeited conservative support.
Because of 9/11 but primarily because Mr. and Mrs. Arkansas Antichrist are the exceptions to any rule and the one genuine potential political emergency (not Doofus, not Cruz), I would vote for Rudy. that would be to defeat and humiliate Hillary and her consort. She is already on the national stage and would remain so, win, lose or draw.
Arnold is no Rudy and neither Doofus, Cruz nor Boxer are Hillary!!!! Despicable excuses for human beings (just like Arnold), yes. Hillary!!!!!, no!
I'm still confused by your NY references since I never said Pataki would help or has helped the GOP. The liberals outnumber us over 3-2 here so unless another Reagan comes along - which looks like never, NY will always be a throw out.
Also, I too believe that CA will never go GOP in the general election but if the internals change to GOP, even a non-conservative version of that - then McClintock has a chance to get out of the state assembly and into DC.
I want Arnold to win solely to oust Boxer. Having Cruz in there won't do this and McClintock, as much as you think he can, would never beat Cruz one-on-one despite what the polls say because he's on the wrong side of all the major issues (wrong for the wackos not me).