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.
Excellent points, all. In particular, I prefer the black-hats-versus-white-hat cheerleaders on both sides note this.
And that the mile or two of separation between Arnold and Tom now can be viewed in two ways:
an insurmountable problem or a wonderful opportunity for exploiting by both sides for mutual benefit.
The situation strongly suggests that it is to the benefit of both parties involved to consider the gap as the latter, not the former. WWKD? (What would Kissinger do? ;-)
I would fill in the following specifics:
The recall is first about the economy and budget, (stoopids ;-).
Tom's primary point is the economy and budget.
Therefore the "give" must include something tangible and immediately public on the economy and budget from Arnold (I'm presuming here the topic is McC stepping down, not Arnold. For the Arnold stepping down scenario, that might be a separate response or a separate article).
Arnold said on Hannity radio yesterday he would (as quoted by some freeper on FR somewhere) raise taxes over his dead body. OK, then he can sign a no taxes pledge, right?
Personally I would prefer he also sign a pledge to honor the Second Amendment and no new gun laws. Just my personal preference. I'm sure everyone else has their own hot buttons out there, too.
There is the concept of a campaign "peak". We all surmise the Davis machine has torpedoes primed and ready to launch for Arnold around four or so days before the election. Therefore, Arnold needs something to fire back with. If he can't change his past, he can at least throw up a cloud of smoke or change direction by scheduling a joint press conference in which he adopts several of the more important features of McClintock's campaign, and then (by sheer coincidence) turns over the podium to Tom, who says whatever he might feel inspired to say in such a circumstance.
Presto, the Arnold torpedoes are wiped off the next morning's headlines, replaced by a news of a blockbuster, tie-breaking alliance. The media can't avoid covering it, and the implications.
Doomo arigatoo for a valiant effort at constructive dialogue!