[AmericanInTokyo]

The solution may be this.

First, we must accept the fact that the Schwarzenegger camp and the candidate himself feel they are several cards short of a royal flush. This is extremely tempting to them. 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. As anyone knows in sales and bargaining anywhere worldwide, the bargaining party that stands to gain the most should be willing to be flexible, albeit for a price, to secure it's wishes. That party in this case is Mr. Schwarzenegger and his supporters and the traditional Republican Party Elite. On the other hand, Tom McClintock can look at the numbers and come to the conclusion that more than likely the Democrats will retain power. But he stands in the gap for millions of conservative voters not only in California, but nationwide, who do NOT want their voices to be lost if a RINO were to take charge. Accordingly, by the end of the weekend with a little over one week left in the game, I call upon the Senator to enter discussions with Mr. Schwarzenegger to 'seal the deal.' Here is the possible deal, other approximations or ideas could be entertained, but it is a starting template.

Arrangement #1: Sen. Tom McClintock will withdraw from the gubernatorial re-call race and issue a clear endorsement of Arnold Schwarzenegger and will insist that all of his supporters turn out in droves on 7 October or cast absentee ballots for Arnold Schwarzenegger. By most polls (with the minority liberal candidate Bustamante predictably 'over polling' at the moment), it is within the realm of possibility that as a Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger will be elected.

If we are to take Mr. Schwarzenegger at his word, he has recently and graciously extended somewhat of an olive branch to Mr. McClintock, in the spirit and words of "let's work together. Let's have a partnership." In reciprocating, McClintock kept most of his wrath in public forum towards the liberal Democratic toady, while staying on message and clear-cut about his own conservative and unshakeable philosophies. Bravo.

This is a good start and a basis to encourage this kind of Arnold-Tom discussion in the next few strategic days.

Arrangement #2: Mr. Schwarzenegger will graciously, and very publicly accept this key strategic concession and endorsement. His supporters will cease attacks upon Mr. McClintock and Mr. McClintock's supporters will cease attacks upon Mr. Schwarzenegger. All parties will turn out in vigor to vote on Election Day.

Agreement #3: In a equally major concession to Tom McClintock and his formidable conservative base, [which deserve a voice and influence], which shall derive assurances and benefits; to-wit, if elected as Governor by recall on October 7th, Governor-elect Schwarzenegger shall cede to Senator McClintock the selection and nominating rights of the following gubernatorial appointed positions, and shall not veto the names of those Californians brought forth by Mr. McClintock:

--Public Employee Retirement System Director,

--State Personnel Board Commission,

--State Board of Education,

--(abolish) Racial Profiling Panel of the Outreach and Diversity Task Force,

--Secretary Health and Human Services Agency,

--Chairman, Statewide Health and Planning Agency

--Director of the Department of Health Services

--Heads of the Maternal and Child Health, the Office of Family Planning, and the Office of Women's Health

Agreement #4:Provided Mr. McClintock were to enter the Republican primary for United States Senator from the State of California in the next general election, Mr. Schwarzenegger would offer an early and irretrievable endorsement of him.

The stakes are high. A 'win-win', in order to secure the state against the Democrats at the same time adding IRON CLAD assurance to conservatives that they will be a strong force and factor in any Republican Administration, can be achieved. The template can vary. Both parties have to start from somewhere.

There are risks and giving involved in 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, in addition to wielding good force in the selection of key personnel. For Arnold, he faces the prospect of losing Maria (half joke, half serious here), but he comes into striking range of becoming Governor. Without a concession on his part, this will not become a reality.

I suggest that if conservatives cannot be granted concessions as I have suggested, there is no use in voting for Schwarzenegger, and they should go to the polls in droves to support Tom McClintock, to send a strong message to the polls and media that a potent, and huge conservative voting base in California remains intact.

Now it's time to sit down, loosen the ties, have a cigar or two, and start horse-trading.

[DoctorZIn]

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[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.

[narby]

It's well worth whatever it takes to get a governor with an (R) after his name. Not just for California, but for how that will help delivering the state to Bush next year.

Arnold is within the range to win outright. If McKlintock had any class, he'd drop out, if only to help Bush next year. He can't possibly win, he's wasting the opportunity to help the party.

[dpwiener]

Without even getting into the details of your proposal, what you are suggesting is flat-out illegal under California law.

Section 18205 of the California Elections Code says the following:

A person shall not directly or through any other person advance, pay, solicit, or receive or cause to be advanced, paid, solicited, or received, any money or other valuable consideration to or for the use of any person in order to induce a person not to become or to withdraw as a candidate for public office. Violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months or two or three years.

This is more than just a theoretical consideration, given what happened back in the 1986 California Republican primary to select a U.S. Senate candidate. Congresswoman Bobbi Fiedler was one of many Republicans seeking the nomination, as was State Senator (and former Los Angeles Police Chief) Ed Davis. At one point Fiedler and Davis met to discuss Davis' possible withdrawal from the race. Davis claimed that Fiedler attempted to bribe him to withdraw and endorse her in exchange for her assistance in raising money to pay off his campaign debts. Davis had himself wired for the meeting, and Fiedler and her campaign manager (later husband) were consequently indicted for violating Section 18205.

Section 18205 covers any "valuable consideration" (which can often be difficult to define). It doesn't have to be money. In this case Ed Davis tried to stretch that definition as far as he could. Being a past Los Angeles Police Chief, he had friends in the District Attorney's office who helped him out.

Bobbi Fiedler argued that she had made no explicit promises to Davis; that she was merely trying to help out a friend who'd built up a campaign debt; and that there was no "valuable consideration" involved. The tape recording tended to back her up. She didn't outright say "If you drop out of the race and throw your support to me I'll pay off your campaign debt in exchange." It was more along the lines of "We share similiar political ideas, and the polls indicate I have a better chance of winning the nomination, so why not withdraw and back me? Oh, and by the way, don't worry that dropping out will make it impossible for you to raise any more money to pay down your campaign debts. I'm willing to help with some fundraising events and make some phone calls to donors I know."

The jury agreed with Fiedler and found her and her manager innocent, but by then it was too late. It destroyed both her Senate campaign and Davis' Senate campaign, and left an enormous amount of bad blood, especially among Ventura County Republicans.

Tom McClintock started his career as a legislative assistant to State Senator Ed Davis. You can be damn sure that Tom is extremely familiar with Section 18205. Arnold (and anyone associated with his campaign) will have to be very, very, very careful about making any "offers" to Tom to try to get Tom to drop out of the race.

[Carry_Okie]

You forget that Davis hasn't pulled the trigger on his slime cannon and won't until just before the election (I can tell you that it's fully loaded). Thus, the Arnold who is demanding such concessions may not in fact be in the same "commanding" position on election day as he appears to be now. If McClintock drops out, what then?

[Saundra Duffy]

NEVER! Tom McClintock does not have to grovel at the feet of a johnny-come-lately who has never even won a Republican primary, never even ran for office at all. McClintock has 20 years of running, sacrificing, and serving. Arnold should drop out and instruct ALL of his supporters to vote for McClintock! Go, Tom! www.helptom.com

To all the Schwarznkennedy supporters: You blew it right from the get-go by spitting in the collective faces of conservatives, without whom you cannot win fair and square.

[Fred]

"Schwarzenegger has said he would only seek to raise taxes in a disaster. But in his 15-minute interview Thursday with the Times, he offered two specific ways he plans to raise revenue:"

Arnold Laying the Groundwork for Tax Increases

[bert]

....He may well be United States Senator.....

I've heard this suggested, but what if he doesn't want to go to Washington? DC is a long way from the left coast and family.

[nutmeg]

bump

[StriperSniper]

You just want all the foot stomping to stop so that it doesn't cause California to fall in the Pacific and send a tsunami your way. ;-)

[Bobibutu]

"The solution may be this. " ...

I always enjoy your posts.

I am truly torn:

McC - Has the right ideas.

Arnold - has the potential to bypass the media and go to the people taking the legislative bodies to task. (al-la Reagan)

The primary problem is not the govenor - it is the legislature and entrenched, protected bureaucrats.

My mind says McC - my heart and logic says Arnold.

I would vote for McC for Senate if some kind of face saving deal could be worked out for him now.

Someone suggested thet Arnold appointing McC to head a commission to audit the State - I like that. And with Arnolds "star" power to support and drive it may be just what we need. Then he runs for Senate.

There is a historic opportunity here -I am but one vote - and the Internet is the great equalizer. (Colt .45 for those who are young and vague on history)

I live in Alameda County - one of 3 liberal counties of the 9 in the Bay Area - I like your thinking AIT - I wish I hadn't smoked all my "Cubans" (trip to the Bahamas a few years ago - and no they wern't counterfits) I would have gladely donated them to the "cigar session".

These guys need to talk - soon.

Flame proof underware on - let 'er rip.

[NordP]

What ever happened to a plain and simple BEAT BUSTAMENCHA FOR THE GOOD OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA???

This is a peak into the world of Tom McClintock supporters...and perhaps, the man himself.

So this is why Tom isn't doing the right thing...because it never WAS about doing the right thing. --Like Issa, Like Simon, Like Uberoth (sp?) it was about Tom.

Thank you for making it clear to me. I always thought of Tom as a good guy - but thanks to your post, I'm changing my mind.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

The fly in your ointment here is the appointing authority. Governors are loathe to compromise this particular authority, because it is the area where they have the most power and can actually have the greatest impact on a government. A Governor's power is greatest right here, and is much diluted in other areas (budget and legislation).

It would be a huge cession of power (and an arrangement like this might well be an unconstitutional delegation), which would neuter a Governor where his impact is most profound.

No one with the hubris to actually run seriously for Governor would consider ceding this authority.

You'll have to come up with something else...perhaps related to policy and budget instead.

[LisaAnne]

Discussion ping

[Quix]

SOME EXCELLENT IDEAS.

However, I suspect that Arnold may well be able to beat Davis and ZurC Aztlan regardless of what Tom McEgo does.

Even if that were NOT so, your list of concessions/agreements on Arnold's part seems wayyyyyy out of balance in terms of what he has to give up vs what Tom has to give up. I think it should be much, much more balanced to be effective and have a chance of doing the good you well outline.

Great effort. I hope you send a copy to Arnold's camp via email. But you might seriously consider making it more balanced, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING Arnold's recent rise in the polls--at least some.

[Burr5]

This idea has probably already been posited in the zillions of responses you've generated, but just in case, I'll point out MY long-held idea:

Tom and Arnold should meet and come to the following agreement:

We look at the last poll to come out within the last five days before the election. Whoever is behind commits to withdrawing and throwing their full support behind the other.

This saves the state from Cruise! Boost-a-Monte-Carlo, and makes whoever rises to the top look like a mature problem-solver.

[Russell Scott]

Arnold supports global government BIG TIME! He has been attending Bohemian Grove meetings for twenty years. When Arnold says he is "for the people", those people he is talking about are the elite globalists. If you want a guy like that running California, go for it. But expect a huge flood of illegals, and more taxing and spending than ever.

Below is a link to a website with some interesting videos for you to check out on the Bohemian Grove. This makes it clear why Arnold is an environmental wacko as well.

Bohemian Grove Web Site

[Phsstpok]

No. Thank you for asking.

[68 grunt]

Before reading even one comment in return I would agree with your four points, I almost take them as a given. Can you accept agreement?

[Snuffington]

Some of those agreements (specifically #3 and #4) would have to be made in private, or else the press would be on the "scandal" from that moment through the election as their main story. And private promises aren't terribly compelling.

The main way to get these two to come together is for Arnold to move to the right and endorse some key McClintock positions. That is neither likely, nor necessarily compelling. But it really is the only way. Schwarzeneger's problem with McClintock and his supporters isn't about power or personalities. It's about staking out his political agenda too far to the left to attract all the conservative base.