If more Republicans possesed common sense like yours, McClintock would be governor-elect right now.
There may be a comparison to make between the re-call and the 2004 election. I think it was a good thing that McClintock stayed in the race to the end even though his chances were slim. I believe that he kept Arnold from drifting to the left in fear of losing votes to McClintock. The results were great. Now if someone was to run in the primary to the right of GWB, this might pull him back to the right in fear of splitting the party.
I guess most republicans don't want to "darken the door of the White House".