Why are conservatives supporting Ahnold?

[Cain]

Frank Rich in today's NYT writes:

[Shwarzenegger's] ideology, though, is way to the left of his party, despite all the lip service he pays to being a fiscal conservative. (Howard Dean is a fiscal conservative, too.) Mr. Schwarzenegger is pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control, pro-green. He has said that the Clinton impeachment made him "ashamed" to call himself a Republican.

It is hilarious to watch conservatives — the same conservatives who often decry phony Hollywood liberals and their followers — betray their own inviolate principles to bask in Arnold's hulking movie-star aura so that they might possibly gain a nominal Republican victory in the bargain. Even the 1977 Oui magazine interview in which Mr. Schwarzenegger bragged about participating in orgies — not to mention his repeated admissions of drug use — can't frighten them away.

Arnold may have ducked questions about affirmative action, but that hasn't stopped Fox's star-struck Sean Hannity from gushing that he's "as forthright as any politician I've ever interviewed in my life." As for the Oui confessional, Bill O'Reilly said: "So what? He's a new guy." Rush Limbaugh at first questioned Mr. Schwarzenegger's conservative bona fides, but of late has been hedging, praising Arnold for "the charisma, the star power, the stage presence . . . the likability, the personality" and saying that he never meant to imply that he "is not worthy." No less a religious conservative than Pat Robertson came out for La-La-Land's pro-gay, pro-choice Republican as well: "I'm a body-builder. . . . So I think the weight lifters of the world need to unite."

Ann Coulter has a term for conservatives who wimp out like this — "girly boys." But she's gone all girly herself over Arnold, telling Larry King that "I'm impressed enough that he's in Hollywood, he's married to a Kennedy and he still calls himself a Republican — that's good enough for me." Perhaps. Her friend, Bill Maher, has taken a somewhat darker view of these unlikely political conversions. "If his father wasn't a Nazi," he has said of Arnold, "he wouldn't have any credibility with conservatives at all."

The article, titled "Top Gun versus Total Recall" compares the Hollywood images of Bush and Ahnold and is worth reading. Maher's quip aside, I'm curious as to how conservatives, ordinarily uncompromising in their rhetoric, can fully support this guy. The Daily Howler has excerpts and commentary from Arnold's appearance on the O'Reilly Factor: http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh091203.shtml

I think it has to do with blind party loyalty and an obession with winning. Republicans stole the election in the 2000, they're gerrymandering six years early in Austin, and now they're trying to snatch California by any means neccesary (which translates into supporting the Terminator's candidacy).

Paul Krugman in an article in the NYT Magazine titled "Tax Cut Con" says the Republican party has been captivated by the single issue of lower taxes. Shwarzenegger resolutely opposes raising taxes of course.

 

[Sundog]

Well, that and the fact that the national party has an immense amount of political capital tied up in this coup-attempt-disguised-as-a-recall. They'd vote for a yellow dog if they thought it would get them the governorship. Savor the irony.

Is it time to coin the phrase "Yellow-dog Republicans"? They seem to be the ones who'll support any warm body on their side of the aisle these days.

 

[DaChew]

I don't know any conservatives who "fully support this guy." Every conservative that I've talked to has basically said that the choice is between a racist, Bustamante, and someone who calls himself a Republican but is only sort of one. Davis is going to be recalled (in spite of today's decision by the 9th.) and the actual Republican doesn't have a chance.

As for the 2000 election, it's over. There is no evidence to support the claim that Republicans stole anything. Also, this recall is fully within the law of the constitution of California. Don't like it? Change it. There are mechanisms to change the law available to those outraged by the huge number of signatures on the recall petition.

 

[Clancie]

I haven't seen Arnold's supporters offer any list of reasons why he would be a good governor for California or why he deserves to win.

My guess is most supporters are hoping he'll be a figurehead like Reagan and that others around him who are more conservative will be able to put through the Republican agenda for the state, piggybacking on Arnold's charisma.

 

[nightwind]

Arnold

He is a Republican. The conservatives are not going to be real concerned about what his stances are on issues of abortion, guns, etc.

It's just like with Bush. It would not matter if he led us into World War III, or attacked Switzerland, or legalized heroin for youth. Some people will vote for him because he is a Republican!

He is the front runner for the Republicans and the only chance they have of getting a Republican governor. Do you really think these conservatives would back a democrat? Ha! They just really have no choice. If they were against him, they would demonize him for all his womanizing, his stance on abortion, guns, etc. But you can see what is happening.

Conservatives it seems to me though have always been the biggest bunch of hypocrites that exist. They will say whatever they need to at the time.

I think Arnold probably might not be a bad choice, although I believe he will have a tough time winning.

 

[arcticpenguin]

I haven't seen Arnold's supporters offer any list of reasons why he would be a good governor for California or why he deserves to win.

My guess is most supporters are hoping he'll be a figurehead like Reagan and that others around him who are more conservative will be able to put through the Republican agenda for the state, piggybacking on Arnold's charisma.

His early affiliation with Warren Buffet would run counter to that; you will recall Buffet stating a few weeks ago that property taxes should be increased. This was Buffet's opinion, not Arnold's, but indicates that he may not surround himself with ultra-conservatives like Dubya did.

 

[Clancie]

Posted by Arctic Penguin

His early affiliation with Warren Buffet would run counter to that; you will recall Buffet stating a few weeks ago that property taxes should be increased. This was Buffet's opinion, not Arnold's, but indicates that he may not surround himself with ultra-conservatives like Dubya did.

Think so? To me, that seemed a total embarrassment to Arnold that really underscored his lack of familiarity with economics (important to California with a $38 billion deficit) and with Buffet--at least as any thing other than a famous investor, and possibly a personal friend.

He tried to get some cache from associating himself with Buffet. But as soon as Buffet spoke on policy the Schwartzenegger campaign couldn't distance themselves from him any faster.

So I think, like everything else I've seen from him, Buffet was just brought on as a prop in an ongoing "show"--but this time real life got in the way and the "show" backfired on him.

I still haven't seen him deliver any speech with a single clear statement addressing any of California's problems and how he plans to solve them.

 

[corplinx]

New York mayor put it best "there isnt a democrat or republican way to pick up garbage" when asked about not being an ideological conservative.

In other words, if Arnold keeps spending in line and the trains running on time, he is already two steps ahead of Davis.

 

[Clancie]

Arnold was on Oprah with Maria. Did anyone see it? I saw some clips on CNN.

So...he can't give a genuine press conference or make the Republican county rounds in the state, but at least he had time for "Oprah". (Polls show he has a problem with the gender gap).

Anyway, he was there, cute as a puppy. In fact, he mentioned it himself, saying about running for governor (paraphrased, but close): "It's a lot of fun. I have something new to look forward to every day. I feel just like a puppy and I'm having such a great time." (There's not an emoticon for my response to this....this will have to do ).

When asked by the gushy and supportive Oprah about the "Oui" article, he said (paraphrased) "Those were things I said when we were trying to get people interested in Pumping Iron. I said all kinds of things back then. I even said that pumping was better than coming." Whereupon Maria cutely covered his mouth with her hand and said, laughing, "Oh, my mother's watching."



Like he's never talked like that before. The whole thing seemed so incredibly contrived.

And I'm still waiting for his ideas and his plan about how to help California.

 

[peptoabysmal]

Shwarzenegger is more likely to win the election that McClintock. I personally think McClintock would be a better man, but he's too conservative. California just isn't ready for a conservative Republican.

If the recall goes through, and I believe it will, that leaves you with two real choices Bustamante, a man who can't even manage his own financial affairs and has questionable dealings with Indian gaming, the latino underworld, and on and on. Shwarzenegger definately can't do any worse that Davis, I don't think anyone could be that bad, except maybe Bustamante (who is owned by the same interests as Davis). They call Bustamante Davis' "mini me" around these parts.

Arnold was a millionaire before he became a movie star. He is really the only hope for California Republicans right now. The Republican party in California keeps making this mistake of putting forth a candidate who is just to conservative to win in California. This is a liberal "yellow dog" Democrat state.

My own family is part of these "yellow dog" Democrats. The other day, at a family gathering I was almost exiled from the family for saying I was going to vote for Arnold. I have just had enough of the Democrat's bungling in California (and the nation) - enough is enough.

 

[Crossbow]

Are conservatives supporting Arnold S.?

I recall how he stumped for Ronald Reagan, George Bush (the elder), donated serious money to Republicans, etc. but I have not seen many come out in support of him.

 

[peptoabysmal]

Are conservatives supporting Arnold S.?

I recall how he stumped for Ronald Reagan, George Bush (the elder), donated serious money to Republicans, etc. but I have not seen many come out in support of him.

There is one radio talk show host, Mark Williams, who is saying to vote for Arnold, for similar reasons to what I mention. The rest of them are saying McClintock is the better choice.

It's simple math, if the Republican vote is split between Ahnold and McClintock, Bustamante will win (providing the recall goes through).

California just isn't ready for a conservative like McClintock. This is the mistake Republicans in California keep making, putting forth a very conservative candidate in a state dominated by liberal Democrats.

 

[Tricky]

Just saw this on the "Community" forum.

Not sure where to post this, but "Community" seemed better than the other choices...Politics, Movies, or Humor.....
Schwartzenegger on "Larry King Live" tonight

 

[Luke T.]

It is a choice of the lesser of two evils. What Conservatives I have heard express an opinion have said things along the lines of "I'd rather see McClintock elected but he doesn't have a chance, so Arnold is the only way to go."

 

[Silicon]

It is a choice of the lesser of two evils. What Conservatives I have heard express an opinion have said things along the lines of "I'd rather see McClintock elected but he doesn't have a chance, so Arnold is the only way to go."

Or they could vote NO on the recall because it was a stupid idea that created a circus of lame candidates, and wait until a real candidate shows up for the scheduled election!

Nah, that won't happen.


The problem with McClintock's electability is the fact that a lot of his support comes from the relious folk, who won't come out for Arnie if he's pro-choice.

So if McClintock drops out, those votes don't automatically go to Arnold. Some of those folks just won't go to the polls.



BTW, I wanted Riordan in the last election, and I wanted Uberroth as the best candidate for the recall. Well, that was until Uberroth gave the lamest possible answer during the debate as to how he'd fix the budget.

But I still think this recall is lame lame lame. What a joke.

 

[SRW]

The Conservatives don't make up a large part of the republican party, the majority are more middle of the road. Given the choice of anyone or Davis anyone looks pretty good.

I'd call Davis a weasel but why insult such a fine animal. If the voters in California had known that the budget deficit was 34 billion before the election then Davis would have been kicked out.

Davis said he did not know how big the deficit was prior to the election, which makes him the most incompetent governor we have ever had. Or as I believe he did know which makes him and incompetent and dishonest.

Davis should have done the honorable thing and resigned when it was evident that this recall was going to happen. He is responsible for much of the mess California is in and should step down.

 

[American]

I was completely against him in principle.... until I heard, "TALK TO THA HAND!" I love that!

 

[Pyrrho]

Why shouldn't they support Arnold? If he wins the election, they'll be able to boss him any way they want. The man has no political experience; he seems to think that all he has to do is to hire the right people to do the job. That ain't how politics works in this country. Doesn't matter how left of center he is. If he wants anything done, he's going to have to "pay the piper".

 

[Luke T.]

The problem with McClintock's electability is the fact that a lot of his support comes from the relious folk, who won't come out for Arnie if he's pro-choice.

So if McClintock drops out, those votes don't automatically go to Arnold. Some of those folks just won't go to the polls.

Which makes Bustamecha (I coined that, feel free to use it) much more likely to win.

 

[Luke T.]

Which makes Bustamecha (I coined that, feel free to use it) much more likely to win.

Dang! I just did a Google search, and "Bustamecha" is all over the place! Guess it was too obvious a coin for me to be the first.