GOP has star-power dilemma: How will party use Schwarzenegger? [Kerry vs. Arnold?]

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | June 19, 2004 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[RonDog]

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GOP has star-power dilemma
How will party use Schwarzenegger?
- Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Friday, June 18, 2004

With 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...

[Miss Marple]

I am of the opinion that I could best Flipper in arm wrestling. Arnold would snap his arm off.

Come to think of it, I would pay good money to see THAT!

[Reagan Man]

I'm glad you understand who Reagan really was.

>>>... he surely didn't do everything he promised and he surely ballooned the deficit and grew the government.

I never said Reagan was perfect. But lets not forget, under Bush43 the deficit has ballooned and the government has grown.

[counterpunch]

Sure he is - on the big screen. Kinda the same way Julia Roberts is an American hero
I said American icon. Just like Ronald Reagan was before he became a Republican hero.

Then you and I differ. The people of California saved the CA GOP - not any politician. It's somewhat telling, though, that your initial inclination is toward hero-worship.
The recall would not have passed without a strong figure to rally around. Arnold gave people confidence to vote to recall Davis. 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.

Like I said earlier, if the GOP opts to go with style over subtance, they'll be speaking volumes about the status of the party.
Isn't that what they said about Reagan?
Anyways, I'll say it once again: asses in seats.

It's a shame you have so little faith in the inherent appeal of conservative values.
I live in California.
And I'm a realist.

[counterpunch]

and he surely ballooned the deficit and grew the government
The president doesn't have the authority to spend a single cent. That is all the Congress.

For all the bashing the hardline conservatives do of Bush, they sure don't seem to hold their own Representatives accountable for being the ones who are spending like kids in a candy store. Now that the GOP controll both houses, they're the ones blowing it and disgracing Reagan's fiscal conservativism. And they're taking Bush down with them.

I think from time to time how Reagan would have killed to have GOP control in Congress. He never had that. And instead of doing good by Reagan, the Republicans are blowing it.

[freedumb2003]

What I'd really like to see is Arnold go to the DEMOCRATIC convention and just beat the heck out of Kerry. Somehow, I don't think his 4 whole months of Vietnam experience will help Kerry much.

(well, I can fantasize, can't I?)

[Howlin]

Are you telling me he didn't compromise on tax cuts?

[Howlin]

And where did I say it hadn't?

My point is Reagan is no better than Bush at domestic policies.

[Reagan Man]

I disagree with you.

Californians passed up a rare opportunity to elect a conservative Republican the next governor of California. In the last Gallup poll released before the recall election, McClintock was beating Bustamonte something like 54%-36%. You guys on the leftcoast caved to the star power of a Hollywood icon and today you have a liberal leading the state. That was you choice.

[Miss Marple]

Find the last poll you are citing and post it. I don't remember anything like those numbers for McClintock.

[RonDog]

If you support Arnold's politics, you're no political conservative.
Maybe a political moderate or centrist at best. - Reagan Man

Okay, RonDog, which are you? - Howlin

LOL!

How about "none of the above?"

I prefer to consider myself a "Jim Robinson" PRAGMATIST.

See also, from the Big Guy, himself:

Vanity: The Democrats and the L.A. Times must be defeated!!
Vanity | October 6, 2003 | Jim Robinson
Posted on 10/06/2003 5:44 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

The Los Angeles Times and the Democrat corruption machine must be defeated!! No ifs, ands, or buts about it!

This is bigger than Schwarzenegger vs McClintock, bigger than Republican vs Democrat, and even bigger than conservative vs liberal. This is for our American way of life vs the dark side. Not just for California, but for all of America. The leadership of the Democrat Party and their official party platform of corruption, abortion, homosexualism, socialism, slavery to big government, slavery to over-taxation, slavery to terrorism and willing subjugation to foreign powers and world bodies is pure evil. Yes, I'd rather have a more conservative person than Arnold for California, but sorry folks, looks like the numbers aren't there. And I'm unwilling to take chances on allowing Davis to slip out of the recall or, even worse, to allow Bustamante to win the governorship.

Crushing liberalism is what Free Republic is all about. Gray Davis being recalled by the (mostly Democrat) people of California has got to be one of the greatest defeats for liberalism in recent history. And the additional rejection by the same democrat electorate of the ultra-liberal, illegal-alien-loving, tax-them-till-they-die, Cruz Bustamante will be the coup de grâce!

The Democrats are pulling out all the stops on this one. They see losing California as what it is, a death blow for liberalism. The people of California are sending the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Democrat Party, and Bill & Hillary Clinton a great big rejection slip!

No thanks! Your liberalism, socialism, corruption and evil murderous programs are not welcome!

Send them your own personal message and slap in the face and one they cannot misinterpret and will not soon forget.

Terminate Gray Davis! Terminate Cruz Bustamante! And terminate the idiot Democrat Party and their complicit partners in crime, the Los Angeles Times, et al!

Vote Yes on Recall and vote Yes for the Terminator!!

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

[Reagan Man]

I think some conservatives got cold feet at the last minute and sold out. They joined the liberals, moderates and centrists in electing Arnold. Either way, with Arnold or McClintock, Boy Davis was bound to lose.

[Gunder]

This is the left's attempt to create an issue where there isn't one. The man will speak in a prominent timeslot... and he deserves to. He's the freaking governor of the largest state in the country. I don't agree with him on some issues, but the people of California elected him. And, after all, this is the REPUBLICAN convention, not the CONSERVATIVE convention (but a guy can dream!).

[Howlin]

I remember that post well!

And I was only joshing. I cannot imagine anybody insinuating you are conservative enough.

[Reagan Man]

>>>The president doesn't have the authority to spend a single cent. That is all the Congress.

Understood. So whats your point?

>>>For all the bashing the hardline conservatives do of Bush...

You're not paying attention to the entire conversation. Howlin brought up the fact that the deficit and spending went up under Reagan. Which it did. It's also gone up under Bush43. And btw, I happen to support the President reelection. Are you blind?

>>>I think from time to time how Reagan would have killed to have GOP control in Congress.

The GOP controlled the Senate for six of Reagan's eight years in office. Reagan didn't have control of the entire Congress like Bush has.

[MrNatural]

Arnold is a very smart man. I believe he has political aspirations beyond California (I know, not native-born; he thinks he can solve that). That being the case, he will do whatever he and the national party thinks is best for the 2004 ticket. He will do so because he needs to show the party that he is willing to work for the party, so when his time comes, the party will not hesitate to work for him.

I expect to see him campaign hard for Bush in California, and other Reps around the country.

Arnold does like to give one impression, then at decision time, go another direction. That's why his current pose of being uninvolved in the national campaign is significant: he setting the stage for a dramatic entrance.

[Reagan Man]

Reagan was better then Bush43 on domestic issues. Reagan was faced with the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression. Reagan reduced inflation and interest rates from double digit numbers, and created some 18-20 million new jobs durting his years in office. Reagan also cut discreationary spending over his first three years in office.

According to the Tax Foundation, Bush43`s three efforts at tax relief --- The Economic Growth and Tax Reform Reconciliation Act of 2001; The Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002; The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief and Reconciliation Act of 2003 --- combined, exceeded Reagan's Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. When you include Reagan's Tax Reform Act of 1986, in many aspects, its a draw on the impact level to taxpayers. Both Presidents have done the right thing on taxes. They both have a good record.

Spending is a different story altogether.

[Howlin]

Of course, you're looking at Reagan in hindsight; let's wait 20 years and see what they say about Bush, okay?

[Reagan Man]

I'll try and locate that Gallup poll for you.

[itsahoot]

California doesn't need a preacher, it needs a governor.

Too bad, it doesn't seem to have either.

[itsahoot]

How do you expect to advance any part of your agenda if you don't first win the election?

Well maybe the winner would first have to have my agenda?