On the other hand, I'm not willing to give up on the cause of Republican conservatism. I will continue to support candidates like Tom McClintock and Tony Strickland (California Assemblyman for the Ventura County area). And I will remain a card-carrying member.
I also don't hold anything against fellow conservatives who voted for Schwarzenegger. I don't think they necessarily "sold out." Some were concerned, unnecessarily so, that Tom would split the Republican vote and thereby help Bustamante. Others felt Schwarzenegger was enough of a fiscal conservative to merit their support. Others wanted to back a "winner." Some wanted to punish the LA Times. Some wanted to punish Bob Mulholland. Some thought a vote for Schwarzenegger was the most practical way to help the National ticket next year.
The exit polls show one fact quite clearly. Nearly 19 out of 20 McClintock supporters also voted "Yes" on recall. For all purposes, that was a block vote and provided the margin of victory in the recall. This has not been lost on the national conservative media ... Limbaugh, Hannity, Novak, Larry Elder, Tony Snow, Brit Hume, etc. Even the more liberal types have praised McClintock for his debate performance and the tenor of his campaign.
Like Rabid, I have no use for the anti-McClintock rabble that populates FR. But they represent only a vocal, loathesome minority here, that are best ignored.