For the GOP, it's More than a Recall

Lt. Col. Gil Ferguson, USMC (Ret.)

[StoneColdGOP]

There is no argument about the serious condition of our once golden state. Our debt is greater than all the other states combined, we are but a few million dollars away from bankruptcy. Our tax burden and over regulations are driving business out of the state at an unprecedented rate.

We are at a crucial point in our state’s history. The people themselves; Democrat, Republican and Independents, without the approval or help from any party have called for an election to recall this governor and replace him with another, one who will hopefully lead us out of this mess.

There appears to be a wide agreement on the first question; should we recall Governor Davis. The second part, choosing a new governor, will not be difficult for most Democrats: theirs is a party line vote with only one candidate, Lt. Gov. Bustamante. And even though he said he will raise taxes and further regulate and tax business, forcing more of them to leave, they will vote for him.

For Republicans however this election is about more than which Republican we should vote for. This election is more about the party itself; will we continue to be a party of principle, directed by the philosophy of Lincoln and Reagan or have we laid our principles aside? Do we want to win so badly that it doesn’t matter how or who, just so the next governor has an R behind his name?

The GOP has two candidates: Arnold Schwarzenegger, a celebrity of worldwide fame, with popularity and fame as the Terminator and recognized as a super star among movie idols. He is a good man. His celebrity status alone will attract a huge number of votes for the GOP from Independents, Democrats and especially young voters. Among the 18 to 30 year olds, he is Britney Spears with muscles. They wow over him. Most moderate Republicans and many regular Republicans, those who desperately want a Republican to win, will vote for him. They are prepared to look beyond his political beliefs and character; they just want to win.

Sen. McClintock, on the other hand, is an icon among Republicans. Since the first day he was elected to office, nearly twenty years ago, he has led the fight against the very forces and policies that have now badly tarnished this once golden state. He fought Governor Wilson’s huge tax increase, just as hard as he fought Willie Brown and Gray Davis. His credentials, as well as his character as a conservative Republican, are impeccable.

He has been our party’s leader and severest critic of fraud, corruption and waste in state government. From the very beginning of his career until today, he has warned that unless spending was brought under control, California would end up as it has today.

The knock on McClintock is that he can’t raise the money and so, can’t win this election. The knock on Schwarzenegger is that he is not a true Republican and carries a lot of baggage that the Democrats will probably throw at him just before the election.

Actually, Arnold is no higher in the polls than he was when he started, whereas McClintock has risen from an asterisk to double digits.

In the last election, McClintock was outspent 30 to 1, yet he received more votes than any other other Republican on election day. Had those moderates claiming Tom can’t win today contributed to his election, or given him his fair share of the money donated by the national party, he would have won. McClintock lost the Controller’s race by the slimmest margin in history. Had he been helped by the moderates controlling our state party, California would not now be in the awful mess in which we find ourselves today.

The moderates of the party and most of the GOP congressmen are just where they were prior to the last Governor’s race. On orders from the White House and Karl Rove, many "conservative" congressman support Schwarzenegger, just as they endorsed the moderate Richard Riordan.

The moderates in our party, including the New Majority and those in the Lincoln Club, are intensely interested in electing Schwarzenegger, a moderate. They believe the party’s future, especially in California, is to adopt the Karl Rove/Parsky plan; we must forgo the values of the liberals and accept the invasion of illegals, adopt the big tent, tax and spend and big government philosophy of the Democrats.

Conservatives know that our party’s losses in California, all during the past decade, are due to millions of illegals who have entered California, and – the continued split in our party between the moderate, "Country Club" Republicans and the conservatives.

While Arnold has a high rating in the polls, it has never risen above where it started. McClintock on the other hand has been continually rising, from as asterisk to double digits. There is a cry from moderate Republicans and "concern" from the media that McClintock should withdraw in favor of Arnold, else the GOP might not win and the dreadful Bustamante will become governor.

This dilemma among the GOP might not be so tragic or apocryphal if the contest was between two conservatives, say Simon and McClintock, one would drop out when just before the election the other was ahead. The same can be said if the two Republicans were Arnold and some equally famous, moderate movie star, but it isn’t.

It’s between our brightest Republican star, a conservative icon and a dazzling celebrity. Conservatives at the core of the party are incredulous at those moderates who don’t share those core values, yet are asking the conservative standard bearer to drop out. Conservatives want to win but they know that a win that asks us to repudiate our principles is not a victory, it’s a harbinger of the end.

Lieutenant Colonel Gil Ferguson, USMC (Ret.), served in the California State Assembly from 1984 to 1994.

[rdb3]

Gosh - the CA. G.O.P. never wanted the recall to begin with - felt it would be much better to have a Dem in there for the 2004 elections.

Not that my opinion matters since I'm in TX, but the CA Pubs may have been right in opposing this recall.

Face it. Davis has led The Golden State to hell with a first-class ticket. His popularity is below snail waste, and he could not blame his failed governorship on anyone. The blame is solely his. What's more, CA voters know it! Stevie Wonder can see it.

With this much baggage, Davis' goose was cooked in '04. Also, a full Pub primary may have convinced the CA Pubs that McClintock was the better choice, all things being equal to today. A recall does not allow time for a primary, so it appears to me that the Pubs are in "panic" mode. Besides, after the Davis debacle, it's only natural that conservatives there would want anyone "with an (R) after his name." I can't blame them for that.

Now that the die has been cast, a GOP win with either candidate had better produce results and fast. If it doesn't, the CA GOP will be in a knight-fork on the political chessboard, and Bust-a-fatty could rear his head again strongly in the next election. It's not a given that the voters will give the Pubs another shot.

I wish California all the best. But keep in mind two key words: unintended consequences.

101 things that the Mozilla browser can do that Internet Explorer cannot.

[rdb3]

AS would make a much better senator than governor.

I disagree. As governor, his stance on abortion has very little effect on the abortion debate as a whole. Parental notification is good, as is his stance against partial-birth abortion. But he is still pro-choice.

As a U.S. Senator, he could not be counted upon being against Roe v. Wade. That's the ballgame for the entire nation, not just California.

101 things that the Mozilla browser can do that Internet Explorer cannot.

[edchambers]

Those who support McClintock are those who make the Republican Party worthy of respect.

They'll make the republican party a laughing stock if they hand this election to Bustemonte.

[edchambers]

Maybe if all of you RINOs (and yes, I mean it) would support the only candidate in this race who follows the GOP platform, we could actually win.

This is a conservative forum with maybe enough members to get a candidate elected mayor of a small town in CA.And last I checked Arnold is beating Tom in our own obviosly biased poll.CA is a very large very liberal state where the only way you're going to put a Republican in the Governors mansion is with a coalition of moderates independants conservatives and yes even a few democrats.Sorry this is not going to happen with Tom no matter how badly his Madclintock mujahadin want it to.

[wku man]

"The RINOs don't seem to realize they need us conservatives, but we don't need them."

That doesn't make any sense."

Well, the 'Rats want to force bigger government, increased socialism, homosexual rights, more gun control, eco-nuttiness, etc. on us. The RINOs and Pubbies may not want to force this crap on us, but they're too scared to stand up and fight the 'Rats and the CommieLib news media. They're too afraid to go back to their constituents and explain why these are bad, very bad ideas. They'd rather adopt the 'Rat platform, albeit at a slower pace than the more liberal of the two liberal parties.

So...if we conservatives no longer have a party representing us, why the hell should we support either one? We're screwed one way or the other. OTOH, the Pubbies need their conservative former "core" to win, unless they think they can go left enough to siphon off 'Rat voters. So they'll wind up as the center-left party, and the 'Rats as the left-way left party, and we conservatives are left out in the cold. One way or the other, we're screwed.

So I say again, they need us, we don't need them. Conservative voters need to abandon the Pubbies en masse, and let them see how much they need us. Maybe, just maybe, they'll realize the error of their ways. If not, screw 'em.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[sirchtruth]

When you "Anything But's" get it, call me, until then stop wasting our air!

[gunnedah]

Seems as though the Republicans are playing games with their people like the Democrats do.
This party thing is out of hand but will never be changed as long as there are only two viable parties.
If we are going to have parties they should be liberal,moderate and conservative and make them all prove what they are and force them to come to the table.
There are parts of both parties I like and was a Democrat for over thirty years but I dont even trust the good Democrats I like because they are slaves to the party rather than working for the people and the same can be said of the Republicans.
All any of them want is for themselves,family and big contributors.Pork and benefits for themselves and the rich!
Arnold may be OK but it is about money and not what is best for the masses.McClintock is the most qualified.

[Scenic Sounds]

Wait a minute, you're Canadian?

Yes, he is, and you should pay closer attention to habs. He's one of the best around here. ;-)

[nosofar]

Apparently, you are on the wrong website. I agree that the leaders of our fair land have been pulling us left for years. Consider one thing, though, most have had to at least give lip service to conservative principles to get elected (ala Bill Clinton and many others). Why? Because average Americans aren't sold on communism.

I should have stated the Socialist Party, not Communist.

"The difference between Democrats and Republicans is: Democrats have accepted some ideas of Socialism cheerfully, while Republicans have accepted them reluctantly." (as quoted in The Naked Capitalist, page 130)

"The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." - Norman Thomas, Socialist Party candidate for President

[sruleoflaw]

A win with a Kennedy liberal Democrat IS NOT A VICTORY EITHER. THINK FOR A CHANGE. I'm so fed up with the Arnold RINOs on this site. There are too many Nelson Rockefeller- Jerry Ford-Arlen Specter-Arnold Schwarzenegger Republicans. The spinelessness of some in the GOP is sickening.

[sruleoflaw]

Fair Opinion: Again FOR THE FR WORLD TO SEE:

What is the difference between Arnold and Cruz on these issues?

--Proposition 54 (whose supporters were dubbed "right-wing crazies" by Arnold)

--The job-killing Family Leave Act

--Taxes (one says he'll raise them; the other refuses to promise he won't).

--Abortion on demand for all nine months

--Vouchers

--Homosexual domestic partnerships

--Gay Adoption

NO DIFFERENCE Arnold=Bustamante LITE. SUCK IT UP AND PLEASE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCES ON THESE ISSUES.

[sruleoflaw]

If you're not a RINO, please tell me what principles of the GOP platform you support.

You obviously don't care about the pro-life plank; you obviously don't care about marriage between a man and a woman; you obviously don't care about limited government (Arnold's $445 million government baby-sitting program) and you obviously don't care about low taxes (backing a man who won't sign a no tax hike pledge).

I won't call you any other names, but please identify why you aren't a RINO.

[habs4ever]

Thank you! btw, the cheque's in the mail ;-)

[BobS]

It goes like this, really!: If BustaMove wins, jobs and center-right folks will stream out of CA. Which leaves the remaining conservatives eligible for affirmative action.

[truthkeeper]

You said it all in post #315 and I thank you, Tex.

Now please...take my BUMP.

[KellyAdmirer]

So sorry, should have put a "sarcasm" tag on there.

[BillyBoy]

>> McClintock for Senator! Knock off boxer in '04. With AS's help as gov. we could get a good conservative in the senate <<

SCHWARTZEKENNEDY GROUPIE THREAD IF McCLINTOCK RAN FOR SENATE:

That lipless, cross-eyed, unelectable nutcase McSlots is STILL in the race against Boxer. When he is going to be a TEAM PLAYER and STEP ASIDE for Marin?

1 posted on 03/18/2004 2:08 PM CDT by rosario4senate

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To: rosario4senate

It took forever to get McEvil out the governors race. Not suprising he wants to play spolier again. I will NEVER vote for McEvil, EVER, again! How DARE he insists we vote for him just because his stances fit the party platform and he has experience!

8 posted on 03/18/2004 2:09 PM CDT by pollsRulz

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To: rosario4senate

GOVERNOR Schwartzenegger will NOT be endorsing McLipless. Can you believe McLipless had the GALL to criticize the governor's temporary fee increase for the children? And he voted against it! As the guv explained, if it hadn't passed, all the kiddies would be eating cardboard for lunch in school caferias. Sick, sick man, this McLipless.

9 posted on 03/18/2004 2:09 PM CDT by abortionisgood

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To: abortionisgood

Arnold is also proof that these purist conservatives CAN'T win. Arnold is governor, so the ONLY type of Republican who can win in this state is a candidate who is somewhat to the left of Arlen Specter. In fact, I'm beginning to worry about Rosarios chances since she took that extremist pledge to not raise taxes more than 5%.

10 posted on 03/18/2004 2:10 PM CDT by RINOfella

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To: RINOfella, rosario4senate

Jack Kemp JUST endorsed Rosario! HAHAHAHAHA!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it, McJeffords fans!!!

Why, oh why, is McJeffords STILL in this race?!?!?!?

11 posted on 03/18/2004 2:10 PM CDT by IluvDaGuv

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To: IluvDaGuv

Two-time statewide LOSER (would have been three-time LOSER if we hadn't forced him to withdraw from the Governor's race!) will not be elected to the Senate. He's desperate. The other day he said that Rosario hadn't held any federal post except Treasuer of the U.S. LIES!!! ALL LIES!!!

12 posted on 09/25/2003 2:10 PM CDT by RockefellerRepub

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To: RockefellerRepub

He also LIED when he said Arnie would back him for the Senate during McClintock's withdrawl and endorsement back on October 1st. ARNIE DID NOT SAY THAT. Arnie's actual words were "I think this man could be our next Senator" and the crowd roared. NOTHING IN THERE ABOUT ARNIE SAYING HE WOULD HELP HIM BE THE NEXT SENATOR. Once again, the McScumbag voters are distorting Arnold's views!!!!!!

13 posted on 03/18/2004 2:11 PM CDT by HeilAhnuld

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To: IluvDaGuv

It's personal now. I have made it my MISSION to make sure he is HUMILATED against the choosen one, Rosario. I didn't choose this battle, he did. I will make sure he gets 2%-- no-- ZERO PERCENT in my township. McSOB is EVIL!!!

14 posted on 03/18/2004 2:11 PM CDT by MassaArnold

[BearArms]

Conservatives want to win but they know that a win that asks us to repudiate our principles is not a victory, it’s a harbinger of the end.

This theory is not supported by history. After the very moderate Republican Gerald Ford had been president, conservatives in the GOP took charge and nominated Ronald Reagan, who steered the party in a very rightward direction. George H.W. Bush was also considered by true believers to be too moderate, and he was challenged and politically damaged by a conservative in the 92 primaries, which arguably significantly contributed to his re-election defeat. Two years later, conservatives came back with a vengeance in the 94 congressional elections which saw the ascendancy of Newt Gingrich as the party's leader.

All indications are that when the party veers too far to the left or center, conservatives will usually end up pulling it right back. And in California, the conservatives are still very powerful within the party, as we saw in the 2002 primaries that produced the nomination of conservative Bill Simon over liberal Richard Riordan, who had been the early favorite.

If anything, it is Arnold who should worry. If he governs as a liberal, he can expect a massive conservative backlash that will again pull the party to the right and make nominating moderates even more difficult than it is now.

[stimulate]

Standing on principles is a positive value,but if principles causes you to lose all the time,what good are they?

Im tired of seeing Ca.convert to a third world country,and dominated by a Socialist Admin.Tom would make a fine Gov, but he can't win.

Incrementalism is the Key. I agree with your statements. I want to Win!

[Dan from Michigan]

I've given this much thought. Conservatives must sit at the back of the Republican bus, so to speak. McClintock and his values have no place anymore. They are outdated and useless in CA, NY, NJ, MA, ME, MI, IL, OH, PA, RI, CO, CT, VT, etc

Wrong about MI. The ONLY republicans that win here are conservatives, social conservatives in particular.