Arnold's End of Days?

This weekend's California state GOP convention is shaping up as a major test for Arnold Schwarzenegger's bid to become the governor of the most-broken state in the nation.

The Austrian Oak needs to convince conservatives that he'll be their man if elected (and he needs to do it in a way that doesn't alienate every other type of Cali voter). He's got the no-tax-raise line memorized but it's those lifestyle issues (pro-gay, pro-abortion, only semi-tough on immigration-related stuff, the occasional gang bang, etc.) that are really killing him with Cali cons.

The convention also provides an opportunity for Republican state senator Tom McClintock to show he's got some star power of his own. As a tax-cutter, anti-abortion type, McClintock's first in conservative hearts, but he's unlikely to win in any sort of statewide ballot.

Reports the SF Chronicle,

"Conservatives want to win, but they want to win on principle," said Dan Schnur, who was running Republican Peter Ueberroth's campaign until the Orange County businessman dropped out on Tuesday. "McClintock has to convince them he can win. Schwarzenegger has to convince them he has the principles."

One reason not to watch:

Schwarzenegger is scheduled to speak to the convention at lunch Saturday, while McClintock gets his turn a few hours later at dinner. But McClintock isn't likely to get his hoped-for debate, which GOP Chairman Duf Sundheim warned would be "a bloodbath in public."

Who wants to see an Arnold flick sans blood, the one thing that could have made Jingle All the Way watchable?

Comments

[Lloyd]

Speaking as a fairly traditional conservative Republican, I'd be interested to know where you supposedly committed libertarian types stand on Arnie vs McC. True, you'd have Arnie on your side with the practically irelevant social issues (abortion, gay unions)to help you feel good, with the major exception of gun control, but then you'd also have a guy who needs to wait 60 days for a freakin audit before he knows what to do. And has a record of looking to spend more government $ on things with no real indication he'll have the guts to disappoint his Hollywood friends or wife in that regard. As opposed to McC who I don't think will be too afraid of burning bridges he doesn't have on the road to a much needed slashing and burning of workman's comp, the budget, regulations and taxes. So lets have it, the feel good guy or the economic libertarian who may actually get some results?

Me, I'm actually undecided, though not because of any gangbangs. More to do with being labeled a "right wing crazy" by Arnie for wanting to get our state gov out of the race tabulation and targeting business via prop 54.

[Gene Berkman]

As a longtime Libertarian activist, I have supported Tom McClintock in every state-wide race.
McClintock is for less government, has experience dealing with the waste, and he is not part of the GOP establishment.
On social issues, McClintock voted in favor of Prop. 215 to legalize Medical marijuana. His stand on abortion is practically the same as Arnold's - no late term, parental consent, and no tax dollars.
"Libertarians for McClintock" has a website @ http://www.majority.com

[Mo]

My preference is McClintock. I dislike Arnold because he doesn't seem to have a damn clue about anything and is a pretty big hypocrite. I have no doubt he'll raise taxes and sell us out if he finds it politically expediant. That said, if Tom isn't close to winning come election time and Arnold and Bustamove are close, I'll vote for Arnold just to prevent Cruz from winning. I'd rather have Davis finish off his term than have Cruz "Let's put price caps on gasoline" Bustamente win.

[Anonymous]

At least he didn't do "Santa With Muscles".

[joe]

The question Republicans need to ask themselves is whether the winner is going to need a majority (or large plurality), or whether the huge number of candidates means someone is going to win with 28%. If the former, what matters is attracting a broad base, and Ahnuld is their best chance. If the latter, what matters is getting the red meat cons stirred up enough to really turn them out, and that argues for McC.

[Bern B]

Q: What did the flicks "Jingle all the Way" and "Incest on Main Street" have in common?

A: A cute family movie!

[Lefty]

This is one of those examples of stifling debate to which Republicans are prone. Nine Democrats go out and debate, argue and scuffle in public. They get jeered for it from the peanut gallery but do it anyway.

The GOP looks at even two differing views debated in public as being a "bloodbath" and avoid it like the plague.

[Citizen]

I don't think it's Republican's that are stiffling the debate per se. McC has asked for one repeatedly and was hopping to get on the one last week - where he proved himself to be the most competant candidate by a long shot. No wonder Arnie has a severe case of foot-dragging. McC, who knows the CA budget better than anyone, would leave Conan feeling like HE had been gang banged.

[hey]

yeah the bloodbath refers to the fact that arnie would not win the fight... which would cause problems if he is the only one that can win...

mcc did almost win his race last year.. so it's not like he can't win statewide... but in a race with energetic dem voters its less likely... he'd need a big nader vote to win

[Total Information Analysis]

Schwarzenegger: 'I was dreaming about being some dictator'