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Governor walking fine line with Republicans, independents
Daily Breeze ^ | Aug. 17, 2006 | Tom Elias

Posted on 08/17/2006 7:08:12 PM PDT by FairOpinion

If he gives core Republicans what they want he'll alienate the moderates who could give him his re-election.

This leaves him with one vital need as he gets set to begin his fall re-election campaign in earnest: Schwarzenegger probably cannot win this fall without near-unanimous support from his party's conservative base. In fact, he can't win if any significant number of those voters stay home.

But he also can't win unless he attracts a majority of the moderate, independent voters who in ever-increasing numbers lately have been registering to vote without declaring a party preference. Play to one of these audiences and you may lose the other.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailybreeze.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: 2006election; calgov2006; california; conservatives; election2006; elections; partyofprinciple; schwarzenegger
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Exactly right.

That's why conservatives need to understand Arnold's precarious position and need to support Arnold, instead of demanding things, which will alienate moderates, lose him the election and WE WOULD GET ANGELIDES.

1 posted on 08/17/2006 7:08:13 PM PDT by FairOpinion
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http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinion/articles/3589181.html?showAll=y&c=y

Governor walking fine line with Republicans, independents
If he gives core Republicans what they want he'll alienate the moderates who could give him his re-election.
By Tom Elias

Despite months of completely positive news coverage, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger still has not been able to move his overall job approval ratings in major polls anywhere near the 50 percent mark, let alone achieving the sky-high approval levels he enjoyed before pushing last year's futile special election.

This leaves him with one vital need as he gets set to begin his fall re-election campaign in earnest: Schwarzenegger probably cannot win this fall without near-unanimous support from his party's conservative base. In fact, he can't win if any significant number of those voters stay home.

But he also can't win unless he attracts a majority of the moderate, independent voters who in ever-increasing numbers lately have been registering to vote without declaring a party preference. Play to one of these audiences and you may lose the other.

Most of the governor's moves this year have been aimed squarely at the independent voters, who made up 18 percent of the electorate in the June primary.

When Schwarzenegger switches positions on issues like border fences and use of National Guard troops to stop illegal immigration, it is at least in part to appease the decline-to-staters. When he restores funding he had previously denied to public schools, it is partly intended to defang opposition from the California Teachers Association, but also aims at pleasing the independents. When the governor backs almost $40 billion in state construction and repair bonds, he aims to appease labor unions, moderate Democrats and independents who resisted his ballot initiatives of last year.

But all these things aggravate the GOP base. When Schwarzenegger first opposes a border fence as useless and also opposes the National Guard aiding the Border Patrol, then does an about-face and supports both tactics, he makes Republican voters wonder what he really believes.

Conservative Steve Frank, a former leader of the activist California Republican Assembly, lists on his Web log several ways Schwarzenegger could convince Republicans he is serious about controlling illegal immigration. He said the governor should force employers of illegals to deduct income taxes from their pay, make those same employers pay into the state's workers compensation fund, enforce worker safety rules on employers of illegals, order the Highway Patrol to impound cars driven by unlicensed drivers including the undocumented, and enforce state laws that prohibit banks from issuing loans to customers who plan to use the money to break or defy other laws.

But so far, Schwarzenegger is not becoming an anti-illegal immigrant activist. To do so would displease many big businesses that employ droves of illegals and also appear on the list of the governor's major campaign contributors.

At the same time, some active Republicans are offended by Schwarzenegger's unquestioning support of the multibillion-dollar bond measures on the fall ballot that are designed by legislative Democrats.

Frank claims that illegal immigrants will enjoy most of the benefits from added school construction, affordable housing, farmworker housing and school rehabilitation.

Frank is correct that there is no Republican agenda in any of this. By contrast, there was a strong GOP agenda in the initiatives Schwarzenegger backed last year, and they failed badly. Who knew that Schwarzenegger would virtually abandon his party's usual positions as a result?

But he won't win re-election unless he convinces core Republicans that he's preferable to Democratic challenger Phil Angelides, and that a vote for Arnold won't produce a Democratic agenda.

On the other hand, if he switches to heavily Republican rhetoric, he figures to alienate the moderate Democrats and independent voters who went strongly against his measures last year. All which explains why Schwarzenegger's re-election hopes remain somewhat uncertain.


2 posted on 08/17/2006 7:12:08 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: FairOpinion
That's why conservatives need to understand Arnold's precarious position and need to support Arnold, instead of demanding things, which will alienate moderates, lose him the election and WE WOULD GET ANGELIDES.

It's only precarious because he is killing turnout with his idoitic policies, outrageous appointments, and disastrous borrowing.

3 posted on 08/17/2006 7:15:16 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The fourth estate is the fifth column.)
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To: Carry_Okie
It's only precarious because he is killing turnout with his idoitic policies, outrageous appointments, and disastrous borrowing.

•Deficit spending
•Excessive borrowing
•Sierra Nevada Conservancy
•Global Warming regulation
•Solar Roofs
•Hydrogen Highway
•No fishing zones
• . . .
• . . .

Killing me softly...

4 posted on 08/17/2006 7:23:30 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: FairOpinion
The Austrian can win without a single, conservative vote. Angelides, aka the weasel, is so unpopular and so lacking in charisma, he will loose to the Austrian even if the roughly 15% of the electorate that is conservative, does not vote for Schwarzenegger.

That's why it's so important for conservatives to avoid complacency. Simply withholding your approval of the Republican's liberal, gubernatorial candidate is not enough. Actively speaking out against Schwarzenegger's policies is required.

TAXES

Schwarzenegger has consistently raised taxes through direct approval and has continued to protect those sectors of California's economy that are its chief tax cows (transporation and housing). At the same time he has cultivated the false image that he is against raising taxes. A patently false and misleading image.

Republicans traditionally strive to cut taxes.

SPENDING

Schwarzenegger, with the help of his allies in the Democrat Party, has consistently increased state spending in the face of inadequate revenues and over the objection of a majority of elected legislators in his own party. When he could not justify the increased spending by raising taxes, he borrowed the money to increase spending.

Republicans traditionally cut government spending, even when revenues are adequate.

PERSONAL FREEDOMS

Schwarzenegger has consistently promoted and approved legislation the subjects Californian's traditional, constitutional freedoms to censure and control by a central government. Constitutional rights have been consistently eroded by Schwarzenegger's policies. Since taking office, Schwarzenegger has significantly increase both the size of government and its reach.

Republicans traditionally support policies that reduce government control and the size of government.

California can do better than either Schwarzenegger or Angelides

It's not enough to refuse to vote for these liberals. You must speak out in your community and among your circle of friends, regardless of their party affiliation..

5 posted on 08/17/2006 7:48:44 PM PDT by Amerigomag
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To: calcowgirl

•Deficit spending
•Excessive borrowing
•Sierra Nevada Conservancy
•Global Warming regulation
•Solar Roofs
•Hydrogen Highway
•No fishing zones


Except for the spending and borrowing the others are all investments in a future of growth and export industries. Did you read about how the US is paying Siemens handsomely to import Wind Turbines.

Green tech and Clean tech are the next big things in Silicon Valley. Calfironia needs to keep it technology lead. Those are brilliant moves for which Arnold will be thanked for a long time. Too bad you are so myopic.


6 posted on 08/18/2006 5:09:44 AM PDT by Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit (War is Peace__Freedom is Slavery__Ignorance is Strength)
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To: FairOpinion

Now Arnold should support Tom McClintock, Chuck Poochigan and stand for something like vetoing most bills by Paratta and Kuehl. Then stand up for no bilingual books acceptable by the State Board of Ed. Then cut middle class taxes. Something that the GOP can actually support.


7 posted on 08/18/2006 10:37:44 AM PDT by phillyfanatic
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To: phillyfanatic


Governor says he opposes bill about bilingual textbooks

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1684475/posts


The fact that Arnold didn't RAISE taxes, despite the huge deficit and despite the pressure from the Dems is quite a feat.

CA: A rare pair of running mates (schwarzenegger and McClintock)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1582375/posts


"Schwarzenegger helps boost McClintock's visibility and fund-raising ability"

THere was another article which said Arnold was inviting Tom to some big fundraisers, helping him raise more funds, but I can't find that.

Any other questions?


8 posted on 08/18/2006 1:02:28 PM PDT by FairOpinion (Dem Foreign Policy: SURRENDER to our enemies. Real conservatives don't help Dems get elected.)
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To: Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit; calcowgirl
Green tech and Clean tech are the next big things in Silicon Valley.

They are also expensive and maintenance-intensive. California has plenty of wind turbines and most of them are broken. Drive over Altamont pass some time, or down through the Coachella Valley. Another failed legacy of the Carter years. Myopic! ROTFL

9 posted on 08/18/2006 3:22:05 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (California bashers will be called out)
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To: Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit
•Deficit spending
•Excessive borrowing
•Sierra Nevada Conservancy
•Global Warming regulation
•Solar Roofs
•Hydrogen Highway
•No fishing zones

Except for the spending and borrowing the others are all investments in a future of growth and export industries.

Where in the Constitution does it say that it is Government's job to "invest"? Besides, placing 1/5 of the state lands under a conservancy (which happens to control 70% of the state's water resources) and imposing new restrictions on the inhabitants, developed by an unelected, unaccountable entity is not "investment." Cutting off 20% of the coastline to fishing is not an investment, it is a direct violation of the State Constitution. Using taxpayer/ratepayer funds to subsidize economically non-viable, yet-to-be-developed technology, is only an investment in an otherwise losing enterprise, made feasible by imposing bogus, arbitrary greenhouse gas restrictions on viable productive businesses and extorting money from them through "carbon trading". This will result in one thing for sure: Business fleeing California.

Did you read about how the US is paying Siemens handsomely to import Wind Turbines.

No

Green tech and Clean tech are the next big things in Silicon Valley. Calfironia needs to keep it technology lead.

What technology lead is that? You've already pointed out that Wind Turbines are coming from Germany. The majority of the production for the Solar Roofs program is being done in the Phillipines and China. The excessive taxes and regulations being imposed by these very programs are what makes it unattractive for businesses to operate and grow in California.

Those are brilliant moves for which Arnold will be thanked for a long time. Too bad you are so myopic.

Those so-called brilliant moves are being praised by socialists and communists, and a few vulture capitalists who will gain from the move. Michael Milken and his gang have been working toward a cap-and-trade program for many years. The only thing myopic here is those who think that Government is the solution to all problems and are willing to pay more taxes to have government control even more of their lives. Instead of embracing the free-market principles of Milton Friedman, Arnie is now embracing the philosophy of John Kenneth Galbraith and his commie buddies.

.

10 posted on 08/18/2006 3:38:38 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: SierraWasp; Carry_Okie; NormsRevenge; Czar; ElkGroveDan; hedgetrimmer; dalereed; editor-surveyor; ..

Ping to above.


11 posted on 08/18/2006 3:42:55 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: FairOpinion

THere was another article which said Arnold was inviting Tom to some big fundraisers, helping him raise more funds, but I can't find that.

---

It might serve your purposes for being here if you did find it.


12 posted on 08/18/2006 3:46:54 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ......Help the "Pendleton 8' and families -- http://www.freerepublic.com/~normsrevenge/)
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To: FairOpinion
instead of demanding things, which will alienate moderates, lose him the election and WE WOULD GET ANGELIDES

So we don't want to alienate the mythical "moderates"...but it's OK even admirable to alienate the large numbers of conservatives in order to win? Is that RINO math?

13 posted on 08/18/2006 3:49:49 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (California bashers will be called out)
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To: ElkGroveDan
but it's OK even admirable to alienate the large numbers of conservatives in order to win? Is that RINO math?

RINO math...ROTFLMAO

14 posted on 08/18/2006 4:03:25 PM PDT by tubebender
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To: ElkGroveDan
"Is that RINO math?"

Sort of, but more like party-above-principle CAGOP/GOP Big Tent logic.

15 posted on 08/18/2006 4:13:54 PM PDT by Czar ( StillFedUptotheTeeth@Washington)
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To: FairOpinion

Pick your poison, CA conservatives.

A slow death or a quick death.


16 posted on 08/18/2006 4:18:31 PM PDT by Nickname
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To: FairOpinion

It may be better long term for the Republican Party to for Angelides to win. Of course I don't have to live there. But remember it took the crushing defeat of Barry Goldwater to get Ronald Reagan, a real conservative. Arnold is a liberal, and there is really no two ways about it.


17 posted on 08/18/2006 4:21:37 PM PDT by Zack Nguyen
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To: calcowgirl
By contrast, there was a strong GOP agenda in the initiatives Schwarzenegger backed last year, and they failed badly. Who knew that Schwarzenegger would virtually abandon his party's usual positions as a result?

What? I would have been surprised had Arnold embraced anything Republican.

18 posted on 08/18/2006 4:24:28 PM PDT by Zack Nguyen
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To: Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit; calcowgirl; ElkGroveDan; dalereed; Czar; Amerigomag; heleny; kellynla; ...
Oh boy! Here comes the Franco/Germanic, double talking, nuanced, collectivist, old European, GovernMental, EnvironMental Socialism through Public/Private Partnerships that ol Sunni McPeak pumped into the Schwartzenreneggenator maladministration from the Dot-Communism Boom era in the Bay Area!!!

What a putrified pantload of puclianimous perversion of what's truly needed in the Golden State!!! It's all exactly BACKWARD! Just like the other dummy is depicted in Arnoiled's TV ads by the dumbed down CAGOP these days!!!

Hey, Enigkeit whatever... I think your tagline fits your outlook on things Cauleeforneeun, perfectly!!! Phhhhhhhhhht!!!

19 posted on 08/18/2006 8:55:50 PM PDT by SierraWasp (I'm voting on everything except CA Governor this year cause there's NOTHING to vote "for"!!!)
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To: FairOpinion
If the idiot wants my vote he must reverse and repudiate all the despicable damage he's already done to CA that may never be reversed and ruin many things in our future!!!

Fat chance any of that's ever gonna happen!!! If you want someones vote, you'll never get it by spitting on everything they believe in! And certainly not by then insulting them that they're even more screwed if the other idiot wins because you had absolutely NO REASON to vote FOR either one of them!!!

He made his danged bed with the liberals and Demonicrats! Now he's gonna hafta lie in IT!!! When ya lie down with dogs... ya comes up scratchin with FLEAS!!!

20 posted on 08/18/2006 9:01:51 PM PDT by SierraWasp (I'm voting on everything except CA Governor this year cause there's NOTHING to vote "for"!!!)
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