IS IT TIME FOR AN "ARNOLD-TOM WIN/WIN DEAL" (?) OK. THEN HERE'S HOW....

Free Republic site ^ | 27 September 2003 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

[Opinion. Open for Discussion.]

The vitriol and passion are reaching unparalleled heights.

Arnold Schwarzenegger feels he is close to an October 7th victory and that a knockout punch of both Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante is within tantalizing reach.

Were it all not for one jagged pebble in his hiking boot. State Senator Tom McClintock.

Both sides are polarized, even here and especially here, on Free Republic. And for damned good reason.

One side, comprised of so-called "RINOs", (moderate-centrists), later joined by pragmatic conservatives who see the paramount need to dethrone the irresponsible and dangerous Socialist Democrat regime in Sacramento, have dug in their heels in for a pitched battle against their new nemesis: the ranks of conservatives of principle who strongly support the continuation of their choice, Senator Tom McClintock, in order to prevent a sellout of the state of California to centrist or moderate political policies down the road.

OK. "Let's Make a Deal".

[AmericanInTokyo]

Politicians still smoke cigars and horsetrade. It's doable. Believe me. OK, listen up now. Time to play the cards. California Conservatives must find a way to grap the RINOs by the __________ and utilize every bit of psychotic thirst and dribbling hunger that Mr. Schwarzenegger has at the moment to obtain office in Sacramento (which is CLOSE, but OH SO FAR at the moment), and in so doing, secure their base and policy-protection. If the deal is not acceptable, then we walk.

[cake_crumb]

Arnold has said he looks forward to working with Tom, and that he feels they would "make a great team". I believe that is an overture. Tom is in a great position to bargain here. Arnold has that Teutonic pragmatism. He can see Tom's numbers as well as Tom can, and that SHOULD be enough to make him realize that McClintock has a significant portion of the voter base. As well, some people who would otherwise vote for McClintock are likely to vote for Arnold in an effort to secure a Republican, "half a loaf is better than none" win. Those voters should make clear to Arnold WHY they are voting for him, and make clear they expect some definite conservatism from him, AND that they expect him to WORK WITH McClintock...should McClintock so desire. I believe Arnold will go for it. I hope Tom does, because I'm planning on pushing hard for his next election run. I agree with those who speculate lawsuits and recounts if Arnold's win is narrow, coupled with the standard screeches of voter disenfranchizement and "selected, not elected". It worked so well in 2000, the Dems know all they have to do is perfect the act on every close election. Arnold needs a clear win. If nothing else, even if Tom stays ON the ballot, and he can, the public needs to see him being diplomatic enough to shake Arnie's hand in public, get some photo ops together and looks downright friendly. Make the overture NOW, while Arnold is willing to negotiate.

You did a great job with your verbal delivery in the debate. No sudden switchings in the middle of sentences. You got high marks from those who watched. Now work with Arnold to make GOOD public and economic policy and LEARN from his ability to appear relaxed with strangers.

Then use it in your next campaign if you don't win this one.

[telebob]

That's the way real politics work. But yer dealing with true believers here. See posts 9,17,24,25. That's what we're up against.

They salivate for a moral victory while guys like us want real victory. How can Tom make a deal now that he's told Arnold to get out of the race? Your ideas make too much sense....

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

It is clear that Arnold is going to win whether McClintock stays in or not.

There's your compromise. (R)nold fails to turn around our Economy, raises taxes, basically pulls a Jesse Ventura, CA decends into the 10th level of hell, I lose my job, and you can't say that Tom has anything to do with it!

By the way, we get to remind you political hacks every single day the price of Selling Out Conservative principles, and why those principles function.

I think we have a WINNER HERE Tokyo!

[Domestic Church]

"for it would have come to this conclusion already."

Perhaps, in the backroom it has already. Timing the release to the public in order to maximize the effect might be the cause of delay.

I will be very surprised if some bargain isn't struck.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Everything I have incessantly read, heard, solicited, every body language action I have viewed of the candidates, their tone, the polls, their interviews, the Party Loyal's recent actions, you name it, is that McClintock and Conservatives are NOW in the driver's seat on this, thumbs up or thumbs down, Coliseum style. Sorry about that and sorry to wax Machiavellian here. C'est politiques. C'es les realities.

This is what 'leverage' and 'deal making' is all about.

If a lot of you out there were really doctrinaire conservatives, you would say "hey. wow. we can still elect Arnold, but we get great Conservative influence in the appointment of Sacramento power elites). I'd work toward sitting down and discussing it, at least my friend.

[Iconoclast2]

BTTT. This is the answer, if not the details thereof. If the the Arnold camp doesn't approach McClintock with some sort of offer, they have no standing to complain about egos resulting in Governor Bustamente.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Tom's name (and Simon's and Ueberroth's, too) will still be on the ballot regardless of whether they declare themselves "in" or "out." It's super easy for voters to support a Republican against Bustamante if Arnold implodes.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

We are the ones who built this party and own it.

No, you didn't, and no, you don't. You pretend that you did, just like the tail wagging the dog.

Do you know who your average Republican voter is? Your average GOP voters consist of guys and gals who wake up, read the paper, slam some breakfast, get the kids off to school and go to work.

Their lives consist of daily choices and little compromises, and their circle of acquaintances include blacks, hispanics, gays, liberals, and all sorts of folks - some of whom they like and empathize with in certain ways.

They're not interested in rigid ideologues, and will support some welfare programs if competently run.

The funny part is that those folks comprise a far greater number of GOP voters than the hard right folks ever dreamed of having - and if it weren't for them, the GOP would be a fringe party.

[RGSpincich]

They thirst and hunger for a dropout of their main opponent, to propel them within reach of the goal. The dropout of Conservative Senator Tom McClintock.

I can see which side was given the short chairs at the table. Thanks but no thanks. Let's see who the voters pick. BTW, your boy just got done blasting the County Chairs as "cocktail party converts" or similar words. Great work.

[DoctorZIn]

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[My dog Sam]

Me a true believer?

I have supported the Republican party for years on both the state and national level.

What have I got for my effort? More and more legislation taking away my Constitutional rights by both parties. I am beginning to believe those who say there isn't a dimes worth of differance between the Republicrats and the Democlicans once the get in power.

Tom is the foot in the door to regaining our rights as free men and women.

While it is better to use the ballot box I am afraid that we will all to soon have to resort to the cartridge box because of the Democrats and the RINO's.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Nope. Not correct. I suggested an 'insurance policy'. You can add another post where you craft into the idea (which is emerging) how Second Ammendment rights could be also insured. And as I said, if the conservative policy and policy formulation concessions are not forthcoming, the vote for McClintock still stands. That's win win for our side as well, IMHO.

[EternalVigilance]

Let's see who the voters pick.

For once we agree.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, but if there were no comprehensive concessions by the RINO camp to Conservatives, then as I said and KEEP saying, the votes stay in the McClintock column and he can and SHOULD remain as an active candidate. They (the other side; our estranged brethren) can take it or leave it. The idea is not in cement, it can be ammended. It is just a starting template, nothing more.

[DiamondDon1]

Hello Granite State Conservative:

First of all...which is the Granite State?

It's super easy for voters to support a Republican against Bustamante if Arnold implodes.

I know that Tom's name will still be there, but if he "drops out" there will be a voter disconnect. With Tom at 18-20 percent, when the scandel happens, people can go to option 2 (for Arnold supporters) so that Cruz does not win. But without a clear statement that he is in, people will not know where to go.

DD

[Sabertooth]

Good effort.

Two thoughts...

1. Schwarzenegger needs to immediately and unconditionally support the Save Our License referendum to prevent the granting of valid CDLs to Illegal Aliens.

2. As for this... "For Tom, he loses the prospect of becoming Governor. But wait. He may well be United States Senator in a short period from now," the party leadership will shaft McClintock in favor of Issa, Brulte, or Jones as the annointee to face Boxer. Promises of support for a McClintock run for Senator are worthless, and shouldn't enter into consideration here.

[DiamondDon1]

Hey AIT:

Yes, but if there were no comprehensive concessions by the RINO camp to Conservatives, then as I said and KEEP saying, the votes stay in the McClintock column and he can and SHOULD remain as an active candidate.

Yes, exactly...

DD

[EternalVigilance]

New Hampshire - the Granite State
"Live Free or Die!"

[AmericanInTokyo]

I can see your point and #1 and quite agree. On #2 I would have to enter into detailed debate and dialogue with you on that one. I have no doubt there would be double crossings by the GOP Party elite whom many can not stomach CONSERVATIVES. They are NO ALLY to many of us at Free Republic. Let's keep hashing out ideas. I say we have some pretty strong cards and we use them.