CA: Recall Debate Live Thread

September 24, 2003

[lainie]

Got popcorn?

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TV:

• Fox News Channel
• KCOP-13 (UPN) (follows the Ricki Lake show, perhaps appropriately, we'll see)
• KCET-28 (PBS)
• KABC-7

LIVE AUDIO STREAMS OF THE DEBATE:

• KABC 790 AM Los Angeles
• KFI 640 AM Los Angeles
• KOGO 600 AM San Diego

[lainie]

Wow..so it is. I wonder why they were targeted?

[kingu]

Maybey all is not yet lost. What's that old definition of a Conservative? Something about a Liberal who has just been mugged?

I wish that definition was still true today.. But yes, there is indeed hope that not all is lost.

[Kevin Curry]

McClintock made me proud to be a conservative because HE was clearly proud to be the only conservative on the panel tonight.

Yes. He was magnificent. No apologies. No mealy-mouthed obfuscations. Just calm, well-reasoned, fully-committed restatements of the only medicine that will heal the state. He has spent 30 years working to this end. He didn't flinch when the battle was joined.

[novacation]

I don't vote by the polls and never will.McClintock is the only one who will attack the problem.The others suck up.They're disgusting. Arnold said nothing about the subject and wandered off into some general boring comments. Conservababe got it right.There is only one good candidate in my opinion.California needs shock treatment, not a massage.

[gubamyster]

I must say that I resent Tom being in at this point due to the threat that he may cost both himself and Schwarzenegger the election at this point.

Really? I hadn't noticed!(/sarcasm)

[carbon14]

The many hypocrisies of the lifetime politician were cited in a recent news article. I believe if one of the founders had some counsel, George Washington would just refer to a single act that stunned the world at the time: stepping down from high political office and returning to private employment.

That was a great example for others that a lifetime politician can never achieve.

[Bonaparte]

Believe me, I share your frustration. And it's too bad that we Republicans are in a war with eachother, the left wing accomodationists vs. the right wing hardliners. It's a battle for the heart and soul of the California Republican Party -- a party that was doing well here (Reagan, Dukmejian) until the RINO Pete Wilson got into office and governed just like a dem, boosting everybody's taxes almost immediately and getting along famously with the democrats.

At that point, the voters realized that the Republican Party stood for nothing and went right back to voting democrat. Now, our state party is run by the likes of Gerald Parsky and conservatives are wondering in the wilderness while Rove does everything possible to make sure the CRP looks indistinguishable from the CDP.

Like many other hardliners, I can compromise, as I did when I saw that Keyes had no shot at the nomination and I shifted my support to 2nd best, which was Bush. But there are limits. At least, for me there are. Again, it's nothing personal.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Unortunately, I think Mulholland is waiting to open his bag of tricks when McClintock withdraws and will then take aim at Arnold in the last days before the election.

That is no doubt the plan. A $20-30M negative media blitz to close the gap. This is why it is so important for the conservative base to turn out in high numbers.

[BonnieJ]

What is the base salary of a state senator in California? Here in Arizona it is quite low. I always vote to raise it when it's on the ballot. Of course it is regarded as essentially part-time. But I hadn't realized they received so many extras...oh, well.

[Bonaparte]

"I believe him. After the term is over, he'll want to make another movie."

Apparently Arnold didn't say he would only serve the remainder of Davis' term. RGSpinach just corrected himself (post 2521). Personally, I think he's far too ambitious to limit his time in office.

[novacation]

Republicans are at a huge disadvantage in the California state government.I'm concerned about the present than what someone has or has not achieved in the past.Arnold is too passive about the illegal alien problem. McClintock is unafraid to attack the problem running.If we don't resolve the illegal problem nothing will be fixed. It is one of the 5 most important things that have to change.

[brydic1]

Amen, the Dems can hardly contain themselves from jumping on Arnold the moment that McClintock withdraws. If he does not withdraw they may release whatever garbage they have and it may indeed damage Arnold but if McClintock is still in the running the Republicans can shift to McClintock.

[novacation]

I think it is around $125,000. maybe

[lainie]

And you're the second person to whom I've offered this piece tonight. T.M. is the man.

[truthkeeper]

McClintock is unafraid to attack the problem running.If we don't resolve the illegal problem nothing will be fixed. It is one of the 5 most important things that have to change.

Without a doubt. Anyone who doesn't get this doesn't live here.

[Bonaparte]

"Well, looks like no more adoring looks to Bustamante from Zsa Zsa..."

He's probably heart-broken. I'll bet he was livid when he discovered the seating arrangement.

[lainie]

Freedom and Firearms, T. McClintock, 2001

Read it if you haven't.

[Conservababe]

I am getting very tired of having to elect Rinos to office because I am told to do so, because it is the only alternative.

Scuse me, but did a conservative come within five points of beating Davis?

If I were a California voter, I would stay true to my conservatism and vote for McClintock.

And if he does not win, no matter.

Do yall think anyone elected will turn California on a dime to be a prosperous state again in a few months?

Methinks we have a greedy need for an R after our elected officials, no matter who they are.

Actually, I feel sorry for any Republican who wins the election.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Thanks for your thoughtful response, Scott. I have little experience with union folks, except for having managed a union shop for a brief while and having some family members in unions. But I agree that the main game is to foment and energize, via dis-information if necessary.

And I agree that the Dims have little choice but to demogouge the Republican candidate(s) whenever possible, and so this will be the end game, financed by $20-30M (much from union coffers). It would be good news if Arnold is able to swing a significant percentage of the rank-and-file. This,as you suggest, could doom Dufus and Busto. FRegards!

[Torie]

I just got home from another one of those fun, fun days. Can you give me your candid judgment about the debate, and what the fallout will be? How did Arnold hold up, and how did he manage with specifics? Thanks.