Will Arnie Save the GOP?

[subgenius]

Everything is a two edged sword. Despite his noted shortcomings (don't get me started), he has the potential to bring back the Republican Party from extremist positions out of the mainstream of American values, that began, perhaps from the time when Nelson Rockefeller was booed at the Republican Convention.
(That's another story, one of great courage on his part.)

California’s
new GOP leader
could clash
with president
He won as a Republican, but California Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger offered an environmental plan that Al Gore would love — promising hydrogen filling stations along highways, solar power in new homes and a 50 percent cut in smog in just a few years. Parts of Schwarzenegger’s platform could clash with another Republican — President Bush — especially when it comes to offshore oil drilling, air pollution and global warming.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/991555.asp?vts=111320031407

If he does not back down from differing with those in lock step with the party's national agenda, he will win my respect.

As always, if you differ from my opinion, just keep it to yourself.
(Just kidding)

[DavidJames]

"If he does not back down from differing with those in lock step with the party's national agenda, he will win my respect."

I don't believe he will back down, neither do I believe he will push (very hard anyway) for any of the things you mention. They will either be forgotten or he will blame others for not getting it done.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by DavidJames
"If he does not back down from differing with those in lock step with the party's national agenda, he will win my respect."

I don't believe he will back down, neither do I believe he will push (very hard anyway) for any of the things you mention. They will either be forgotten or he will blame others for not getting it done.
Oh, that two edged sword again.
Love to see, succinct posts.

Only time will tell.

(Could be the most comprehensive, thorough, and therefore shortest thread of all time.)

[BTox]

Originally posted by subgenius
he has the potential to bring back the Republican Party from extremist positions out of the mainstream of American values, that began, perhaps from the time when Nelson Rockefeller was booed at the Republican Convention.


Hogwash. I'd say the Democrat party is in more need of a "savior" than the Republicans.

[hammegk]

Originally posted by BTox


Hogwash. I'd say the Democrat party is in more need of a "savior" than the Republicans.

Subg & his ilk are the "majority" of the posters here, anyway. Let 'em all self destruct into political meaninglessness. :D

[subgenius]

"Ilk", a good word. So many connotations. I like "irk" too. All too rarely used.
Any comment on whether Arnie should, or needs to, toe the party line?

[peptoabysmal]

No shocker to me. I knew this was Arnie's agenda and I voted for him anyway. He is the key to the GOP getting a foot back in the door of California.

The economy and level of service such as roads, fire, police etc. were usually good in California when the GOP ruled and sucked badly when the Dems were in power. Let the sleeping, yellow dogs lie.

[hammegk]

Originally posted by subgenius
"Ilk", a good word. So many connotations. I like "irk" too. All too rarely used.
You're welcome. :D


Any comment on whether Arnie should, or needs to, toe the party line?
Nah, I think Arnie will handle himself ok without my advice. What do you predict; 4 more years & go for the constitutional amendment clearing the way for his run for the presidency?

[Tmy]

Arnies a republican!!! Just cause he has the little (r) next to his name doesnt make it so. Hes a closet democrat. My worry is that the real republicans get ahold of him and "turn" him. Much like vampires turn humans into other vampires.

[Judith]

Originally posted by peptoabysmal
The economy and level of service such as roads, fire, police etc. were usually good in California when the GOP ruled and sucked badly when the Dems were in power. Let the sleeping, yellow dogs lie.
I wonder how much any of that has to do with republicans and how much it has to do with nationwide economic trends and energy scandals and etc.

[dsm]

Originally posted by subgenius

If he does not back down from differing with those in lock step with the party's national agenda, he will win my respect.


How far can he go? Correct me if I'm wrong, but as someone not born in America, he cannot move on to the presidency. That would seem to limit the influence he can have on the national Republican party. They'll simply pass him off as another crackpot from California.

;)

[subgenius]

Originally posted by dsm


How far can he go? Correct me if I'm wrong, but as someone not born in America, he cannot move on to the presidency. That would seem to limit the influence he can have on the national Republican party. They'll simply pass him off as another crackpot from California.

;)
The power to get votes is important regardless of whether it leads to the presidency.
Who's "they" in your post? California is a lot of votes, and a lot of electoral votes.
But I'm talking more about a philosophical shift of those that consider themselves Republican, being able to vote for someone who stands for things that are more mainstream. Just a re-definition of what it means to be a Republican. Could be very good for that party, as it has boxed itself into a lot of extreme positions that many do not share.

[Jocko]

Originally posted by subgenius

If he does not back down from differing with those in lock step with the party's national agenda, he will win my respect.

As always, if you differ from my opinion, just keep it to yourself.
(Just kidding)

I think the differences are rooted in the constituencies - California has real energy and pollution problems that don't affect the nation as a whole (directly, anyway). He's to be commended for putting the needs of the state over the broad guidelines that direct the Republican party on a national level.

CA is still reeling from the energy crisis, so alternative sources make particular sense for fast-track development.
CA pollution in urban areas is appalling, so sensible, effective measures to improve matters make sense also (as opposed to the general environmentalist thinking that will gladly scuttle a whole town's economy because some rare owl has decided to take up residence there).
CA relies on beach tourism. Offshore drilling would threaten that, so alternatives should be explored.

All politics are local, as they say. People elect a leader, not a platform. It's the judicious implementation of that platform according to actual need that trumps the party handbook. Of course, it remains to be seen what will come of these bold plans.

[Jocko]

Originally posted by dsm


How far can he go? Correct me if I'm wrong, but as someone not born in America, he cannot move on to the presidency. That would seem to limit the influence he can have on the national Republican party. They'll simply pass him off as another crackpot from California.

;)

Yeah, how fair is that? Even worse, Jesse Ventura CAN run for president. Then again, Jesse impressed a lot of people just because Minnesota didn't burn down during his watch.

[dsm]

Originally posted by subgenius

The power to get votes is important regardless of whether it leads to the presidency.
Who's "they" in your post? California is a lot of votes, and a lot of electoral votes.
But I'm talking more about a philosophical shift of those that consider themselves Republican, being able to vote for someone who stands for things that are more mainstream. Just a re-definition of what it means to be a Republican. Could be very good for that party, as it has boxed itself into a lot of extreme positions that many do not share.


"They" are the right-wingers outside of California. If Arnold goes "right-wing", then they'll be behind him, but he won't change anything. If he "moderates", then they'll likely ignore him (particularly, I think, in Texas) unless he can influence one or more candidates with national aspirations.

[dsm]

Originally posted by Jocko

Yeah, how fair is that? Even worse, Jesse Ventura CAN run for president. Then again, Jesse impressed a lot of people just because Minnesota didn't burn down during his watch.

I take it you're more impressed with Arnold than Jesse. How do they differ?

:confused:

[Jocko]

Originally posted by dsm


I take it you're more impressed with Arnold than Jesse. How do they differ?

:confused:

I didn't mean to give that impression; indeed, details of Arnold's platform are hard to find. Jesse was a loop, but a largely harmless one, and I don't know what to expect from Arold. But on the grander scale, the difference is nothing more or less than the difference between Minnesota and California.

After all, we'd actually NOTICE if Canada annexed California.

[aerocontrols]

Originally posted by subgenius
Everything is a two edged sword. Despite his noted shortcomings (don't get me started), he has the potential to bring back the Republican Party from extremist positions out of the mainstream of American values, that began, perhaps from the time when Nelson Rockefeller was booed at the Republican Convention.

Words fail me. but I'll try anyway.

Just think, if the Republicans abandon their exremist positions, they may be able to capture a significant minority of the governorships, or perhaps (I know it's crazy) even one of the houses of Congress.

MattJ

[BTox]

Might even have a Republican President some day!

[rdaneel]

Originally posted by BTox
Might even have a Republican President some day!

Now that's just crazy talk. Next you be saying that the Supreme Court will start usurping nationial elections and deciding whos President.

[aerocontrols]

Originally posted by rdaneel


Now that's just crazy talk. Next you be saying that the Supreme Court will start usurping nationial elections and deciding whos President.

Ridiculous. A party as out of the mainstream as the Republicans could never get away with that. The difference in the votecount would have to be statiscally insignificant for a scheme like that to work.

Also, you're forgetting that a party that's been as extremist as as the Republicans have since 1964 when they booed Rockefeller wouldn't even have any friends on the Supreme Court.

It's clear that they have a lot of work to do to get back into the mainstream. They should keep their goals realistic: Perhaps one house of Congress and some more governors.

MattJ

[subgenius]

Originally posted by aerocontrols


Ridiculous. A party as out of the mainstream as the Republicans could never get away with that. The difference in the votecount would have to be statiscally insignificant for a scheme like that to work.

Also, you're forgetting that a party that's been as extremist as as the Republicans have since 1964 when they booed Rockefeller wouldn't even have any friends on the Supreme Court.

It's clear that they have a lot of work to do to get back into the mainstream. They should keep their goals realistic: Perhaps one house of Congress and some more governors.

MattJ
The fact that the current gang controls all three branches of government impresses me not in the least with respect to the wisdom of its philosophy.

[aerocontrols]

Originally posted by subgenius

The fact that the current gang controls all three branches of government impresses me not in the least with respect to the wisdom of its philosophy.

I think you're shooting a little wide of my point, Subby.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by aerocontrols


I think you're shooting a little wide of my point, Subby.
Thus my nick.

[hammegk]

Originally posted by subgenius

Thus my nick.

ROFL! :D

This place needs a bit more humor. Congrats on maintaining your equanimity.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by hammegk


ROFL! :D

This place needs a bit more humor. Congrats on maintaining your equanimity.
Coming from someone of your ilk I'll consider that high praise or beneath contempt.
I'll get back to you on that.

[dsm]

Interesting twist I heard on CNN. One of the reporters was talking about how Arnold can't run for president, so maybe he'll actually get something done because he doesn't have to think about a presidential campaign. Then, in jest, the reporter said something to the effect of "...unless Maria wants to run".

There's a thought -- maybe the Democratic primary in 2008 will be Maria vs. Hillary!

:jaw: