GOP Pressures Schwarzenegger's Rivals to Quit

Newsmax.com ^ | 8/15/2003 | newsmax staff

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GOP Pressures Schwarzenegger's Rivals to Quit

Republican leaders are urging businessman Bill Simon, state Sen. Tom McClintock and former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth to quit the race to replace Gov. Gray Davis and clear the way for Arnold Schwarzenegger, the San Francisco Chronicle reported today.

Sean Walsh, a spokesman for the movie star, acknowledged the effort but said Schwarzenegger's campaign was not involved.

"There are numerous politicians, activists and business leaders who believe Arnold is what we need to fix California's problems," Walsh said. "They have informed us that they've tried to convince the others to leave."

Duf Sundheim, the state Republican chairman, disputed the report but said, "I'm talking with the different campaigns on a daily basis, judging their supporters" and looking at polls.

"There are a lot of scenarios I see where we're better off with fewer candidates," he said.

Republicans worry that the four big-name Republicans would split the vote and throw the election to Democrat Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante if Davis is recalled, the Chronicle said.

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My guess is that by the end of August, there will be 1 major GOP candidate in the recall and he is named Arnold.

[My2Cents]

It's too early for anyone to quit. Let them all air their positions and policies, let the polls respond, and then let's see were we are by the third week of September.

[Uncle Hal]

Probably Simon will drop out. I am not so sure about McClintock. He is a rock solid conservative.

[My2Cents]

If McC drops out, it will be because he has no money.

[Sunnyvale CA Eng.]

Looks like it. So we'll have a RINO surrounded by hard core Democrats and Hollywood idiots as advisors. I think we have been set up.

[BibChr]

Makes sense.

[onedoug]

So much for the CA GOPINO.

I won't vote for image and feelgoodism like a demosocio-communistcrat. I'll write-in McClintock. It wouldn't be the first time my vote didn't mean a damned thing out here.

[EternalVigilance]

Stupid.

Putting aside the fact that Schwarzenegger is a leftist and that McClintock is the far superior candidate, it would be idiotic to clear the field anyway.

McClintock is going to bring in tons of 'yes' votes, no matter who they choose as a replacement.

What the h*ll is the Schwarzenegger campaign and the RINO leadership of the GOP worried about here anyway? He's going to get more Dem votes than Bustemonte anyhow--since he is one.

I have a hunch the reason for this is more worry about a mutiny on the right--a meltdown caused by Schwarzenegger's own actions.

Can anyone say 'Warren Buffett', 'Dickie-boy Riordon, or 'higher property taxes'?

[MineralMan]

"So we'll have a RINO surrounded by hard core Democrats and Hollywood idiots as advisors. I think we have been set up."

So it seems. Those who are supporting Ahnuld are fooling themselves. He's no Republican at all. Indeed, if you look at what he stands for and who he's getting as backers, he looks more like Clintoon all the time.

Add to that the fact that the job of being Governor of CA is one that requires most of your time to be spent in boring meetings and I'll bet Ahnuld flakes off on the job for his entire time in office.

Want higher taxes? Vote for Ahnuld. Want driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. Vote for Ahnuld. Want a Democrat as Governor of CA? Vote for Ahnuld.

[EternalVigilance]

My guess is that by the end of August, there will be 1 major GOP candidate in the recall and he is named Arnold.

Dream on.

[ElkGroveDan]

My guess is that by the end of August, there will be 1 major GOP candidate in the recall and he is named Arnold.

Well that would be real depressing. I haven't given up on California yet -- don't be so negative, people are starting to catch on to this guy.

[MJY1288]

Major red flags should go up after Arnold announced his choice for economic advisor (Warren Buffett). If Buffett keeps recommending a property tax hike, Tom McClintock will be the next Governor of California

[ZGuy]

If everyone unites around one Arnold this early, it would be disastrous if there were an "October surprise" with him. This strategy is way too risky at this point.

[spokeshave]

Simon is against a new prop 187 and Arnie's top "advisor" Buffoon Buffett just came out against Prop 13........rapidly readjusting tag line again.....

[Russian Sage]

"There are numerous politicians, activists and business leaders who believe Arnold is what we need to fix California's problems," Walsh said.

But how many Conservatives? We don't seem to register in the minds of the GOP these days.

This is the time to stand firm.They take us for granted and now they are feeling the pain of their presumption.

[medscribe]

I think that conservatives must ask themselves:

1. Do we want to win? If yes, then live with Arnold as the chosen candidate of the GOP establishment.

2. Would we rather go down in a blaze of glory? If yes, then by all means split the vote or not vote at all, and the end result may be Bustamante as the new governor.

Which evil is less?

The last time conservatives stood firm, BJ Clinton ended up in the White House. And we all know the damage that came out of that.

[Rabid Dog]

Agree 100%. GOP would be crazy to put all its eggs into one basket this early in the game.

[MineralMan]

"I think that conservatives must ask themselves:

1. Do we want to win? If yes, then live with Arnold as the chosen candidate of the GOP establishment.

"

I think that all Republicans need to ask themselves:

1. If Ahnuld is the candidate of the GOP, exactly what is the difference between the GOP and the Dems?

2. Do Republicans _really_ want to support a pro-choice, pro gun control, pro tax candidate for the governorship of California?

3. Are CA Republicans really Democrats in hiding?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That seems to be the fair way to do it!

Because we will need all of the votes possible to compete with the Democrats!

Arnold has to prove himself!

calgov2002:

Gray Must Pay
Cruz Must Lose

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[Wolfstar]

I agree. It's too early. Schwarzenegger hasn't even started campaigning yet. I don't want to see this thing just handed to him because he's a movie star.