Thank you, sir. Coming from you, it counts for a lot.
My take: Arnold did what he had to do, stay in the game by remaining the charismatic Big Dog. He also did a good Howard Beale by remaining as an outraged citizen who wants to do the Mr. Smith goes to Washington routine. I think Arnold's objective was to reassure the electorate, and he did that tonight.
McClintock can write his ticket, imho, IF he finds a way to nail down the base (which he has done admirably-there will be no more competition from Bill Simon on the right, and I don't think Daryl Issa can compete with him for the base vote, either) and reach out to the center at the same time.
The key for McClintock is to do what Bush did nationally on abortion: remain pro-life but insist that people of good will can disagree. Bush used it masterfully to neutralize what the Dems thought to be a vulnerability on Bush's part with women. McClintock needs to do the same when he goes to the state next year.
Cruz lost big. Believe me, he impressed no one with his passive style and his condescension towards Arnold (who was wise not to rise to the bait). "Gee, I guess we did spend too much" didn't exactly fire up the base vote, now did it. I just don't see Dems running to the polls to save Grayout's ass, or his.
Peter Camejo and Arianna? Pustules on the running sore of life. While Arnold shouldn't have bickered with that Hildebeast Wannabe, her yapping did give him the opportunity for the soundbite of the night, the "Terminator 4" line.
TMC's problem is that he's got to get past being head of the Cargo Cult to actually WIN a statewide election. I know he did extremely well last time out, but he did not win. That's what counts.
A lot of Tom's potential will have to do with how Bush does over the next year. If the economy tanks and Iraq goes sour, there will be a lot of Republican blood on the floor. Tom won't get past first base. I don't think that will happen. I think the economy will grow nicely and the insurgency in Iraq will be reduced over time. Bush's numbers can only improve from here, imho. And as they do, Tom's chances will, as well.
Be Seeing You,
Chris