[Grampa Dave]

"The governor ultimately had no alternative than to bring this impasse to a head and appeal directly to the people. He could have maintained a façade of bipartisanship, contented himself to tinker at the margins, put forth pleasing half-measures while the state’s deficit continued to mount – but he chose finally to confront the state’s condition boldly and forthrightly. And he knew that to do so, he had to confront the government unions responsible for that condition."

"Those shoulda-coulda-woulda questions are important ones and I don’t begrudge the pundits who are now raising and answering them. But they should be tempered by Teddy Roosevelt’s observation that, "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again (because there is no effort without error or shortcoming), but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause…”

Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals.

46

Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals.

[Redleg Duke]

"Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals."

That is it in a nutshell, the single-issue, conservative "purists" who, if they can't get everything their way, will sit it out and "send a message". The message is "Liberals survive another election!"

[kellynla]

Do you live in California?

[Pragmatic_View]

"Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals. "

"An excellent analysis of the situation by Tom McClintock and great post by you, pointing out and illustrating the key issues. BRAVO!

[tophat9000]

Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals.

I've seen this spin for a while now from the Arnold hard core to blame the loss on conservative ..that's pure speculative crap based on a logical fallacy based on lower turnout in conservative area ... just because an area is more conservative done not mean it only conservative ...

In low votes it the wings that show up...

Arnold supposed strength is to bring out the normally indifferent moderate middle to his side to add there extra 20% turnout and tip it to his side....Save bet if you did a voter break down you would fined it was Arnold moderate middle that stayed home in droves and/or turned on Arnold

Arnold's "hard core" are quick to scape goat the conservatives

...why don't we get a voter break down before we decide who didn't turn out, conservative voter or "Arnold's" moderate middle voters

Bottom line here in Orange county from my own observation of people I know the, conservative and libs/union types turned out... Arnold's" mushy middle types that talked Arnold up big in 2002 didn't even seem to know there WAS and election last Tuesday

[little jeremiah]

ROTFLOL!

Great graphic!!!!

Freepmail coming your way.

[PRND21]

Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals.

Perfectly put.

[Wolfstar]

Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives.

That's a huge problem in this state. Time and time and time and time again, I have seen such so-called real conservatives find something to get their knickers in a twist just in time to either not vote or vote for some fringe candidate or third party to "send a message."

[fifedom]

The Republicans sure weren't helping out Arnold. I got several mailers from Dick Armey asking me to vote against the re-districting but saying saying nothing about the other propositions. The only other mailers I got were from Arnold's group. The sad fact is most elected Republicans pols LOVE the current districts since it ensures a safe seat even though it's in a guaranteed minority.

[COEXERJ145]

Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals.

You hit the nail on the head.

We can see examples of this every day on FR. The huge number of Bush haters all because he doesn't do as they demand on their single, stupid pet issue.

[Carry_Okie]

However well I understand your frustration, promoting that perception doesn't accomplish anything beneficial.

[B Knotts]

Was that really the problem? I just have a suspicion that the "Get Out The Vote" effort on the union side was better than that on the GOP side.

GOTV makes a lot of difference. I know that, traditionally, in special elections in California conservatives usually have better turnout than liberals. So, something must have changed pretty radically to get this kind of result.

I couldn't believe that San Luis Obispo county voted down Prop. 73. The only way I can see that happening is with a very well executed DemocRAT GOTV, and a lack of corresponding GOP/conservative GOTV. Where were the pro-life voters on that one?

[editor-surveyor]

"When the next crisis comes..."

We needn't wait for any 'next' crisis, the one we already have will be sufficient to bring California to it's knees.

"Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals."

The spoiled brat syndrome: My guy lost; that SOB that won ain't gettin no support otta me!

[Taft in '52]

Don't blame me. I voted for McClintock.