Note to Arnie-bots: If Arnold is a "Fiscal Conservative", so is Howard Dean

Various | August 13, 2003 | nwrep

[nwrep]

The self-delusion of some star-struck conservatives here is stunning. In the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, they insisted Arnold was a fiscal conservative, just because he said so. This arrogant proclamation, with no evidence to back it up, was enough for these Arnold-bots.

Then today, he dropped a bomb-shell and declared tax-loving, Hillary Clinton supporter Warren Buffett as his economic advisor. When faced with such repudiation of their fantasy, one expects most people to concede their mistake. But not the Arnie-bots. They still insist Arnold is a conservative, just because he has chosen a billionaire to head his economic team. Apparently, to these Arnie-bots, conservatism is a hollow concept, to be equated with the acquisition of wealth. Never mind that some of the most prominent backers of the anti-capitalist, anti-American, anti-conservative group Moveon.org are self-made billionaires.

This mental capitulation to a Hollywood celebrity reminds me of grandmothers from Florida visiting Hollywood's Rodeo Drive and becoming speechless with awe and admiration at the ostentatious display of wealth there.

Before these Freepers go too far and over the cliff in their fanatical devotion to Arnie Kennedy Jr., they would do well to acquaint themselves of some important positions of Warren Buffett:

Warren Buffett Picks Hillary for Senator

Warren Buffett Slams Dividend Tax Cut

Warren Buffett's Stupid Economics

Is Buffett Hazardous To Your Wealth?

Warren Buffett Despises Nuclear Weapons

Warren Buffett Opposes Estate Tax Repeal

So, now that there is more sobering evidence to the contrary, will these Arnie supporters bow to reason and back a real conservative, like Tom McClintock? One can only hope.

Or they would be left, with the logical extension of their trust in words and not deeds, in the unenviable position of defending the fiscal conservatism of one Howard Dean, Jr.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Yet, Bushbots fail to realize that Bush has grown the budgets 21% since his first day and has been asking for even more money. We get an itty-bitty tax cut and are suupposed to be happy.

[sinkspur]

Or perhaps I'm all wet but from the interviews I heard Arnold didn't answer a single one of these questions when asked.

Homosexual marriage is illegal in California.

Arnold couldn't do anything about abortion in California, regardless of his stance, since the legislature enacted a law proclaiming abortion as a civil right, last year.

The rest of his platform will come out, in his time. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Sir Valentino]

Howard Dean is a *COMMUNIST*. It's as *SIMPLE* as that.

It's people like you who are going to put *CRUZ BUSTAMANTE* in California's *GOVERNOR'S MANSION*!

[sinkspur]

Moral people can balance a budget better than immoral ones.

Be careful with this. Clinton balanced the budget and, indeed, had a surplus when he left office.

[lilylangtree]

The Arnauldcrats are star-struck and can't see through the H'weirdo-hyped media image. Their rose-tinted glasses just get rosier.

[PhiKapMom]

Some of the Freepers from the sky is falling crowd because Arnold is not a Conservative on social issues are so far out of it that you have no idea what is going on!

Have you heard of Steve Forbes? Well seems he is on the team as well. Do we take it from your post that Forbes is no longer a conservative?

When you have a State that is in as much trouble as California, you assemble the best minds when it comes to the economy that will agree to help you! You don't look at their party affiliation if they are willing to help!

Do you have any idea about California politics? Republicans should have won the race in 2002 and if Simon, a conservative, hadn't been the candidate we most likely would have won. Doesn't that tell you something?

Some of the hatred of Arnold who is a Republican makes me wonder what agendas are all about on here. It is obvious that one agenda is not electing a Republican Governor of California!

Guess you all prefer to elect DemocRATs so you can continue to whine and moan. This Republican doesn't like to lose so I vote and support the best candidate that I believe can win and it usually isn't the most conservative even here in a conservative State like Oklahoma! Go too far right even here and you cannot get elected.

BTW -- I have a new definition for RINO (Republican in Name Only) -- it is not for moderate Republicans because they always go vote -- it is for some of the "purist" who threaten to stay home and not vote if a candidate doesn't meet 100% of their "purist" agenda! A "True" Republican is the broken glass type who will not be deterred from voting and that definitely includes moderates!

[Tempest]

Oh now the name calling begins. It's almost like talking to a democrat sometimes.

[FairOpinion]

I think that trying to beat up on Arnold for his pick of Buffett is missing the real point.

I think people miss the real news. The real news is not that Arnold picked Buffett -- he wanted a big name.

The real news is that Buffett accepted and is backing Arnold. I don't care for Buffett's politics (a Democrat) and some of his stands, but nevertheless, the guy is definitely not stupid. So the fact that he endorsed Arnold, instead of sticking with Davis or endorsing Bustamente, shows that he himself sees that CA is in serious fiscal trouble and has faith in Arnold that he, with the right advisors can get CA out of the hole.

I think it was a masterstroke for Arnold to get Buffett. He totally neutralized any charge that the Dems could make against him about being a "right wing Republican". Even Gray Davis couldn't say that with a straight face, with Buffett, a rich Democrat backing Arnold. Arnold is brilliant.

From an article in the UK Financial Times:

"Rated as the second-richest man in the world after Bill Gates, of Microsoft, he is also free with offerings of his business wisdom.

His enduring adherence to his dictum "never invest in a business you cannot understand" suggests he has considerable faith in his 56-year-old Republican protégé.

Mr Buffett has offered to recruit prominent business leaders and economists to resolve the state's fiscal difficulties, and retain investment and jobs that Mr Schwarzenegger has said are being driven out of California because of the deteriorating economic and business climate.

Mr Schwarzenegger said Mr Buffett was "truly a giant" in the world of finance. "Warren has a common sense approach to business issues and an integrity that is unmatched. That is the same way I want to approach governing."

Mr Buffett joins a campaign team that includes several leading lights from the administration of Pete Wilson, the Republican governor replaced by recall target Gray Davis in 1998.

As a Democrat, Mr Buffett's presence will help deflect suggestions that Mr Schwarzenegger is not as aloof from the political establishment as he has claimed."

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1059478997932

[Torie]

You'll be pleasantly surprised.

I just knew you were on Arnold's campaign staff. :) Doesn't California weather suck these days? It reminds me of Texas.

[telebob]

Lessee..how did Mark Steyn put it the other day? Oh yeah...

"Death before electability"

Some people have way too many principles to be effective in this world.

[PhiKapMom]

Think Buffett agreeing to help out Arnold speaks volumes about how bad the RATs are that are running. Since Buffett is a DemocRAT he seems to have joined the campaign of someone who he feels will be best for California.

But then what do we know?

[chachacha]

Clinton balanced the budget and, indeed, had a surplus when he left office. Great rebutal! Very sharp!

I guess I'd have to say there will always be a bad example and your averages are better staying with the more moral position.

Still laughing!

[Torie]

Well, the Bush administration has decided that the INS cannot arrest illegals except at the border and at two road checkpoints in SoCal. So I think the illegal immigration issue has now been totally usurped by Washington. The driver license thingie is a distraction. It would seem that if illegals are going to be around for a long time, one might want them to know how to drive if they drive. Just a thought.

Arnold has hired Warren "I want higher tax rates on the rich" Buffett, and Arthur "I think higher tax rates on the rich reduces revenues" Laffer, so apparently he swings both ways.

[FairOpinion]

"He also put Steve Forbes and Arthur Laffer on his team. How about that? "

--

Exactly. And Milton Friedman may appear with Arnold in a commercial.


"Financier Warren Buffett, a close friend of Mr. Schwarzenegger's, is providing advice on economic development.

Friends of Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman are urging him to appear in a commercial for Mr. Schwarzenegger, much as he did for Proposition 13 a quarter century ago. Mr. Schwarzenegger has been quoted as saying that for years his favorite Christmas present for friends was Mr. Friedman's book ''Free to Choose.''

Other prominent economic figures who are talking with Mr. Schwarzenegger about a role in the campaign include Steve Forbes, Larry Kudlow, Art Laffer and Steve Moore of the Club for Growth."

http://www.chronwatch.com/editorial/contentDisplay.asp?aid=3827

[Lijahsbubbe]

Good post. Why doesn't character matter now? People say Arnold's stance on abortion or homosexual marriages doesn't matter. Some say it doesn't matter because Arnold is not going to affect legislation concerning abortion. As far as I know, Clinton wasn't going to make any legislation regarding oral sex from interns either, but that mattered. Arnold is a known groper.

You're right, character and morals affect every decision.

[FairOpinion]

I posted the same thing before I got to your post.

GMTA. :)

http://www.chronwatch.com/editorial/contentDisplay.asp?aid=3827

[Hoverbug]

The only people responsible for putting Cruz Bustamove in the Governor's Office will be the ones who put an "X" by his name. You sound like a liberal blaming the victim for being robbed because he was carrying money.

Hb

[PhiKapMom]

Very well stated! That was my take -- a coup for Arnold since Buffet backs all the DemocRATs.

Wonder what Hillary is thinking? Her guy has joined the Arnold team comprised of mostly Republicans!

I think it is great and really laughed about Buffett not throwing in with any of the RATs!

[FairOpinion]

"Why doesn't Arnold simply release an issues statement."

--

We all know what the issues are: California is in deep financial crisis.

Arnold already said he wants to make CA the way it used to be, and make it friendly to business.

Arnold is running against Bustamente. Where are his issues statements? And we already know Davis's records on running CA.

McClintock can buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks with his plan and issues for $3. A detailed plan means nothing, if you don't get elected.

The only thing a detailed plan would mean for Arnold, is that the pro-Bustamente elements masquarading as pro-McClintock supporters could attack Arnold, keep nipping at his heels, until Bustemente would win.

[FairOpinion]

Ask your family living in CA whether they would prefer to have Bustamente or Arnold as governor.

Your attacks against Arnold only help Bustamente.