From One Extreme to Another - Schwarzenegger’s Strategy of Capitulation

CaliforniaRepublic.org ^ | 12/6/05 | Carol Platt Liebau

[NormsRevenge]

Carol Platt Liebau is editorial director and a senior member of tOR and CRO editorial boards. She is an attorney, political analyst and commentator based in San Marino, CA, and has appeared on the Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNN, Orange County News Channel, Cox Cable and a variety of radio programs throughout the United States. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Carol Platt Liebau also served as the first female managing editor of the Harvard Law Review.

[randog]

Maybe Arnie should have cut his political teeth on a school board or two first. Anyone still up for "President Arnie"?

[CounterCounterCulture]

Even if the Governor offers them 90%, there’s no reason for them not to prefer the candidate that will offer them 100%.

Bingo.

[Amerigomag]

Democrats want a Democrat in the Governor’s chair – someone who shares their philosophy of bigger government, higher taxes and unlimited giveaways to the unions and other special interests that subsidize the party. Even if the Governor offers them 90%, there’s no reason for them not to prefer the candidate that will offer them 100%.

This is the heart of the article. The rest is just one person's opinion of coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Libeau is insightful in her assessment that Schwarzenegger is for bigger government, higher taxes and unlimited giveaways to unions. She's also correct that Schwarzenegger has steadfastly withheld that 10% to keep up his appearances with the Republican Party.

Taken in this light and analyzing the Austrian's past performances savvy political observers will note that Schwarzenegger's whole agenda has focused on emphasizing that 10% to maintain his base while actively giving away 90% of the store.

[John Jorsett]

Even if the Governor offers them 90%, there’s no reason for them not to prefer the candidate that will offer them 100%.

Or if they find a new Gray Davis, 125%.

[jrp]

If he grants clemency, stick a fork in him, he's done.

[Amerigomag]

They're real close to a Gray Davis at 125%

$15B in bonds on a $111B budget is almost 115%. Closer than Libeau's 90%

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Anyone still up for "President Arnie"?

Now that's funny.

[Amerigomag]

If he grants clemency, stick a fork in him, he's done.

Whatever Schwarzenegger's decision in the William's case it should not be part of your political equation unless you are reasonably certain that his decision was motivated by political gain.

[Emmett McCarthy]

He's done either way. Arnold was never anything but a semi-amusing distraction for California politics. There was never any chance of him going any further and, at this point, not much chance of a second term. Phony Catholic, phony Republican movie actor. Finis.

[calcowgirl]

PING.

If you folks didn't catch this, it is worth a read.

[FOG724]

It smacks of political cowardice

Sometimes there is the one phrase that just says it all!!!

[Zack Nguyen]

Why is it I so rarely hear about Democrats "reaching out" to Republicans? Is it because they have the strength of their convictions?

[SweetCaroline]

If he grants clemency, stick a fork in him, he's done. ....well done!

[ElkGroveDan]

Spot on I couldn't have said it better myself. Only Frank Duclos has said it so well.

[ZULU]

If you sleep with pigs, you'll wind up smelling like one.

[Hank Rearden]

It's not a "mistake". He's just stupid.

[SierraWasp]

Thank you! I've become Ping dependent!!! (grin)

[SierraWasp]

"If he grants clemency, stick a fork in him, he's done."

He's "done" anyway! Or haven't you noticed? It's sayanora Scwartzie!!!

[Czar]

"But it seems that Schwarzenegger has veered from one extreme to another. Having lost with a strategy of aggressive confrontation toward Democrats, he appears to have adopted an approach calling for abject capitulation to them."

Suspicions confirmed. If only it were "Party above principle", but it's far worse--"No principles at all".

And some on FR were advocating a special amendment to let this phony foreigner run for president. Somehow, I think the chances of that happening have plunged to record lows.