TOM MCCLINTOCK DAILY EDITION - 10/8/03 - GOING DARK!

[Rabid Dog]

As many of you know this has been a local, regional, national news and views thread. I want to thank all of you that have respected its intent. When I first started this thead, I was on the fence between Arnold and Tom. Within a week, it became clear that Tom was the man I could respect and support.

Within a month it became clear that the CA G.O.P. was not an organization I could respect and support and so I have switched parties and will be changing my screen name to Rabid Dog.

Tomorrow I am entering Freeper Detox and will be drying out for a week or so but am looking foward to discussing the changes in California under the leadership of our new governor - ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER!!

[jmc813]

I'm not the one with the "problem" here, my FRiend.

If you supported Arnold because you agreed with him on the issues more, rather than out of pragmatism, than you indeed have a problem. Apologies if my assumptions are mistaken.

[Reagan Man]

Former LA Mayor Dick Riordon just said on Fox News, (10-8-2003, 9:20PDT), "then you can raise taxes". I didn't catch the lead in remark he gave. He then turned around and said, "I should have kept my mouth shut". Riordon finished by saying he was talking about an internet tax.

I guess Arnie and his people don't consider an internet tax, a tax. LOL

[elbucko]

Well, action figure Arnold comes with a hairdresser.

LOL! True. Will the governors mansion be a location movie trailer? At least its better digs than where Jerry Brown tended to reside.

All kidding aside, I wish Arnold good luck. His fortune is now California's and mine. My only real focus was to eject Davis. That makes us all winners. I feel rather good, this Oct. 8th. AM.

[Diddle E. Squat]

There is something I don't understand: Why on earth would quitting the GOP advance the conservative cause? The results show that there are only 10-15% willing to lose to 'send a message'. So while plenty of 'messages' can be sent, how will these 'message senders' ever get the power to win and implement their goals?

Why would the GOP or Rove want to risk aligning with this 'message sending' element, when if there is disagreement on any issue, they threaten to, and often do, bolt? I can certainly understand party leaders assessing and deciding that they have no choice but to move further to the center, especially on social issues. Hate to say it, but doing so will at least bring in a more reliable block of votes.

What a shame, because I am conservative and want to see the conservative message dominate. But all the constant threatening to sit out or bolt, and the too many instances of doing just that, really threaten the ability of social conservatism to have influence. In a way, these 'message senders' are like a Ken Griffey Jr, Terrell Owens,or Jeff George, extremely talented and unbeatable when focused on their game. But if they cannot be relied upon, and continually go AWOL, sooner or later the coach and front office will decide that the undependability is just too risky, and change the game plan to use what they can rely on to win.

How many times have we seen a team with superior talent lose because they were inconsistent and didn't play as a team? How many times have we seen a talent-loaded get rid of some of their tempermental stars, bring in unknown but hungry talent, and then finally win? Attitude and teamwork matter, synergy is better than divisiveness.

Again, from what I've seen in the last few weeks, I wouldn't blame Rove one bit if he wrote off the social conservatives for 2004 as too likely to quit/sulk/hold the party hostage, and instead moved towards the moderate center. WHICH IS THE LAST THING I WANT TO HAPPEN, but what choice does he have? It all goes to hell if Bush loses in '04. Better to go after more reliable support, than coddle those with a chip on their shoulder, that no matter what, are almost guaranteed to find something wrong and then, once again, try and scuttle an election.

Since this election just showed that the GOP can win without purist conservatives, how do you plan on increasing their influence in the GOP? Threats didn't work, so why continue to turn to that strategy? The bluff was called, so now that option is gone.

No, the only way to increase conservative influence is to now coalition and work within, supporting the GOP team.

[Roscoe]

Arnold is California's Erap. Speaking of:

On the first day of Grade 3, Erap's math teacher asked the students to count to 50. Many of them did very well, some getting as high as 37. But Erap did extremely well; he made it to 100 with only 3 mistakes. At home he told his Dad how well he had done. Dad told him, "That's because you're an Estrada, son."

The next day, in English class, the teacher asked students to recite the alphabet. Some made it to the letter "K" with only one mistake but Erap outdid them again. He made it all the way through, missing only the letter "M". That evening he once again brought his Dad up to date and Dad explained to him, "That's because you're an Estrada, son."

The next day, the boys were dressing up after Physical Education. Erap noted that, compared to the other boys in his grade, he seemed overly "well-endowed". This confused him. That night, he asked his Dad, "Dad, they all have little tiny ones, but mine is ten times bigger than theirs. Is that because I'm an Estrada?"

"No, son," explained Dad, "that's because you're 18!"

[Publius6961]

Someone please tell Tom...

He lost me instantly when he hopped on to the "Should Arnold resign based on the LA Times hit piece?"
Too complicated for him to understand?

Up til that instant, I was honestly not sure whether I would vote my conscience (McClintock) or for Arnold and kick liberal butt.

[Rabid Dog]

When a party doesn't uphold it's platform - which the majority voted for - it has management and mission issues.

My party alliance has value on the open market.

I am now a free agent.

If the CA G.O.P. gets it together - I will be back. Right now I have a 25 year history with them in California and it hasn't been a good one.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Former LA Mayor Dick Riordon just said on Fox News, (10-8-2003, 9:20PDT), "then you can raise taxes". I didn't catch the lead in remark he gave. He then turned around and said, "I should have kept my mouth shut". Riordon finished by saying he was talking about an internet tax.

In less than 24 hours.

I can hear the stampede of returning businesses now. </ sarcasm >

[Cinnamon Girl]

Why not take a positive look at our party here? We are hopefully leading new registered Republicans toward conservatism. Arnold gave them a chance to give the GOP a chance. Baby steps, Republican.

[StoneColdGOP]

Bump for Tom.

The best man lost, but is not defeated.

[Roscoe]

My guess would be that Riordan was encouraging Arnold to press for California to join in the "Streamlined Sales Tax Project".

[Rabid Dog]

Believe what you want. He was asked about the issue and answered. "If the charges are true, then yes an investigation should take place". I happen to agree with him. How should he have answered?

[A CA Guy]

Term limits does that.

[tophat9000]

Hey Rabid don't quit the party yet....there something here really many haven't grasped yet

...Moderations and triangulation did not win last night....the pragmatics paradox?... to win go right

[Rabid Dog]

See my post #127.

[Roscoe]

http://www.ecommercetax.com/SSTP.htm

[truthkeeper]

In fairness, there is more to his statement. His comment was something to the effect of "These charges are serious BUT I remain skeptical since they were released at the last minute." I heard him say this in response to direct questioning by radio/television hosts on a couple of occasions over the last few days.
However, if you've been reading the forum the last few days it appears the balance of his statement after the "BUT" seems to have gone bye-bye.

I have neither the power nor the desire to change any minds on the matter. I just thought I would comment on the way I heard it.

[A CA Guy]

Shrouding a spoiler/traitor in semantics doesn't hide the rotting core of the man.

He had the choice to be a hero, but instead took the unique route of putting his own desires before the California people. Not good on the resume.

[jmc813]

No, the only way to increase conservative influence is to now coalition and work within, supporting the GOP team.

I agree. FReepers should seriously consider supporting the Republican Liberty Caucus.

[Roscoe]

He had the choice to be a hero

By supporting Benedict Arnold?