Posted on 06/18/2004 3:59:50 PM PDT by RonDog
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www.sfgate.com Return to regular view
GOP has star-power dilemma
How will party use Schwarzenegger?
- Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Friday, June 18, 2004With less than three months to go before the Republican National Convention in New York City, a prime-time cliffhanger is in the works over whether the Bush camp will use it or lose it -- the megawatt influence and star power of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Among the most sensitive issues is whether Schwarzenegger, a GOP marquee name, will be given a prized prime-time speaking spot at the party's presidential convention August 30-Sept. 2 at Madison Square Garden.
On the pro side: As the party's star actor, Schwarzenegger would get worldwide attention, and -- to the delight of networks -- draw millions of potential viewers to the now scripted-for-television political convention.
On the con side: The White House worries about lavishing too much attention on one Republican elected official who has shown an uncanny ability to upstage the party's star, Bush himself. A prominent role for Schwarzenegger also could anger the Republican right wing, which opposes his social views on such issues as abortion and same-sex marriage.
Ken Mehlman, campaign manager for Bush-Cheney '04, in an interview with The Chronicle, made no commitment on the specific role the Bush team expects the California governor to play, saying only that Schwarzenegger "is one of the great leaders of our party.''
Asked about talk that the White House is worried Schwarzenegger might outshine Bush at the convention, Mehlman downplayed the matter, suggesting that Schwarzenegger is one of many stars in the GOP...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Hello to all.
My name is Linda Eddy and I am the webmaster AND political cartoonist for
'tooning the truth
-- here is my shameless self-promotion webpage! --
Could you do a SIMILAR image for our "Arnold vs. Kerry/Streisand" FReep - with ARNOLD's beefy fist choking Kerry's scrawny neck?
Bottomline. McClintock could have beaten Bustamonte and all this nonsense about Arnold being the second coming of Ronald Reagan would be of no consequence. Instead, California got what they deserved. A liberal RINO for Governor.
Thanks for sharing.
I am glad to hear that some conservatives judge Arnold by his actions, which have been pretty good and pretty conservative so far and I am sure it will continue to be that way.
When I think of Arnold and the uncompromising "so-called coanservatives" what it think of, is the saying:
"It's better to light a candle, than curse the darkness".
Arnold is lighting candles one at a time. The "so-called conservatives" prefer to do nothing, but sit there and curse the darkness and complain that there is no light, but every time someone wants to light a candle, they curse that person too.
Thanks, FO. So what say you, RM? Is this quote really Ronald Reagan or is it some Hollywood imposter with a persona bigger than life?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/960104/posts
Follow that thread and you'll, also, find that RR campaigned for the Brady Bill.
"When I began entering into the give and take of legislative bargaining in Sacramento, a lot of the most radical conservatives who had supported me during the election didn't like it." - Gives you a tingly feeling doesn't it, RM.
And in #67 you said, "Keep it in context. I said they are both American icons and Republican heroes."
Which is it?
Now, you seem to be projecting my statements about public perception directly on to me regarding your comments about my "hero-worship". I understand many things, and one of those is that when an actor like Arnold Schwarzenegger takes center stage a political convention, a hell of a lot more people are going to tune in. Call that hero-worship if you want. I know what puts asses on seats.
Oh - it's about "asses in seats"! Why didn't you say so? Hell, let's forget about politics then - why don't we have Jessica Simpson as the keynote speaker? She'll draw teenagers interest.
The reality is, it's about reaching a happy medium by presenting charismatic people that will articulate the party's platform. Arnold, by his own admission, disagrees with the platform on many points.
I live in California. And I'm a realist.
Counterpunch-to-English Tranlation: I don't believe conservative values have any appeal, because they don't appeal to me.
You ask for the poll, and then simply disregard it.
And who's the intellectually dishonest one here?
I believe "you" told us that CA was a liberal state and therefore required a more "centrist" candidate than other states. Well, you got him.
And now you're trying to foist the California brand of "liberalism" on the nation as a whole...it almost makes one believe you're simply interested in "liberalism". That you only threw CA in there as a red herring so you could incrementally move the GOP "left".
But that can't be...LOL.
6. If the choice were between Cruz Bustamante, the Democrat and Tom McClintock, the Republican, who would you be more likely to vote for: Cruz Bustamante or Tom McClintock?...as in the expression, "if pigs had wings."
That quote by Reagan came during his years as Governor of California. He was talking about a small group of stubborn Republicans that he called "radical conservatives'. Since the Democrats controlled the legislature, Reagan would have to deal with them first and he didn't want members of his own party attacking him from the right. That's what the quote is all about.
Ronald Reagan was a staunch conservative, as well as a practical politician. He was well known as a compromiser and a negotiator his entire political career. He compromised and negotiated as Governor and as President, but never surrendered his core principles or beliefs.
In the early 1990`s, Reagan did campaign for the Brady Bill and the Assault Weapons ban. I believe he called them "commonsensed" legislation. After fully supporting the Second Amendment his entire life, this switch by Reagan was a surpise, but understandable. After all, James Brady was his press secretary and an old friend, and Reagan was shot himself. Let's not forget, Reagan was out of office and was free to make any decision he wanted. Under the circumstances, he sided with his old friend, but his decision was deadwrong. Arnold supports an extension of the Brady Bill/Assault Weapons Ban. If PresBush signs an extension of the Brady Bill/Assault Weapons Ban this year, he will be defeated in November. Right now, it looks like a dead issue. Thank God.
Btw, if you read the post you linked to, you will notice a FReeper called holdonnow. His real name is Mark Levin, "The Great One". Conservative, Republican, lawyer, commentator and liberal basher. In a class with Ann Coulter. He makes some valid points on this issue and his analysis can be applied to Arnold. He said, "There's a difference between compromise and surrender on important domestic issues." He is right.
You're attempts to apply this Reagan quote to Arnold isn't invalid. Arnold Schwarzenegger is no Ronald Reagan. Arnold is a political liberal. Reagan was a political conservative. Arnold may admire Reagan for many reasons, but its not for Reagan's politics.
You're right for once. That means it is valid.
Open your eyes. I made the correction.
Great idea...should Kerry be holding a flip-flop in each hand?
Actually, you got it right the first time. God works in mysterious ways.
Actually, you're wrong.
But you weren't, in spite of yourself.
Enjoy your day. Hope it's sunny in CSprings.
I'm going to a Veterans for Bush rally in Balboa Park.
RM's contention that I am somehow tying Reagan to Arnold is invalid. I never got into that. My concern is an accurate portrayal of Reagan's form of politics.
"what's a stem-winder?"
LOL!!! Reminds me that NOBODY winds a watch anymore...same thing for "dialing" a phone...
...crikey! Ahmmm gittin' old!!!!
Correct me if I'm wrong. It looks the same to me ...both times.
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