Posted on 08/21/2003 12:06:04 AM PDT by FairOpinion
After initially stating Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a conservative, radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh is now professing the actor and governor-wannabe is actually conservative in his heart, with advisers trying to manage him out of his core beliefs.
"We've got a golden opportunity out here in California if Schwarzenegger would simply be who he is," Limbaugh said on his top-rated national program yesterday. "I think Schwarzenegger is a conservative."
The comments come on the heels of previous analysis once Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy. Limbaugh then stated:
"Here me now and believe me later, my friends: all these conservative orgasms over Arnold Schwarzenegger are – like the 'Gorbasms' liberals experienced over Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev – fake. I know that 'R' next to Schwarzenegger's name excites the White House, but his own words prove he's not a conservative. I call this 'The Hollywood Syndrome,' and it happens every time some actor-type says anything even remotely conservative. I'm not trying to cold shower anybody here, but don't look to anyone in Hollywood to validate your political ideas."
But during yesterday's show, Limbaugh said his new suggestion that Schwarzenegger is conservative was not based on anything the Austrian native said.
I think Schwarzenegger's natural inclinations, when he arrived in this country and who he is (I know there's the Kennedy thing there), I think that's who he is. He's afraid to be it, doesn't want to be it anymore, whatever, or has been advised he can't be it if he's going to win. If Schwarzenegger would simply run on a conservative fiscal agenda, he would win. He doesn't need to do all of this stuff to go to "the middle." Limbaugh, who himself penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed commentary on the need for conservatism in California, lamented how he hadn't heard Schwarzenegger discuss lowering taxes or providing business incentives, though later in the day the actor outlined some of his fiscal policies.
Following a meeting with billionaire investor and abortion-rights supporter Warren Buffett, as well as Ronald Reagan's Secretary of State George Shultz, Schwarzenegger said he was against high taxes in principle because state residents had been punished long enough.
Schwarzenegger and wife, Maria Shriver
"From the time they get up in the morning and flush the toilet, they're taxed. Then they go and get a coffee, they're taxed. They get into their car, they're taxed," he said. "They go to the gas station, they're taxed. They go for lunch, they're taxed. This goes on all day long. ... Even when they go to bed, they have the fear that they will be taxed while they sleep. ...
"We must have a constitutional spending cap and must immediately attack operating deficits head on. Does this mean we are going to make cuts? Yes. Does this mean education is on table? No. Does this mean I am willing to raise taxes? No. Additional taxes are the last burden we need to put on the backs of the citizens and businesses of California."
But the candidate also pointed out he couldn't rule out any higher levies.
"It's clear we can't ever say never," he said.
In her latest WorldNetDaily column, commentator Ann Coulter says while Schwarzenegger is certainly an improvement over current Gov. Gray Davis, the actor does not carry the torch for conservative-minded citizens.
"Conservatives were wary of Schwarzenegger even before Tax 'em and Kill 'em Buffett joined the campaign," she writes. "Schwarzenegger claims to be a fiscal conservative and a liberal on social issues. Historically, that means: 'liberal.' All politicians claim to be tax-cutting, fiscal conservatives when they are running for office.'
Still, Limbaugh says one only needs to look at the Republican actor's own lifestyle in recent years to gauge what he believes.
"I can tell you the way Arnold Schwarzenegger invests and lives his life and runs his own businesses, there's nothing liberal about it."
Republican Schwarzenegger as a 7-5 pick to be the state's next governor.
Peter Ueberroth (12-1) and businessman Bill Simon (20-1), are followed by two candidates at 40-1 odds, independent commentator Arianna Huffington and Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock. Green Party candidate Peter Camejo is a 50-1 pick.
Dream on, there will be a rude awakening.
Some of my best evidence, is YOUR evidence, to wit...
Everyone hated Davis and enough Dems still voted for him, that he won. FACT.
Exhibit A: And in that race of races, exactly how many Republicans were running...tick, tock, tick, tock...did you say one? And it was Simon?...I knew you were smart...
Exhibit B: Who has more people registered in California, Republicans or Democrats?...tick, tock, tick, tock...did you say Democrats?...thank God, I knew we could agree on something...
Exhibit C: Davis was hated, and given a choice of change or voting for their party, what did Democrats do? Did they vote for Simon (who ran an admittedly horrible campaign)? ...that answer was too easy...
Arnold is a voice for change, and Democrats can feel they got less than a fully conservative Republican in Arnold. If we take away the more conservative McClintock, Democrats will have a field day portraying Arnold as too conservative for California, and then its that US versus THEM thing all over again.
I just don't get why you are so worried on DAY 13 of the race...Arnold is up in the polls (even before the media blitz begins), everytime Cruz opens his mouth he sticks an 8 billion dollar foot in it...
On a side note...you doing okay??? Trouble at home perhaps? Stay positive, Arnold will win and we will see what we will see on how he governs...(besides the bookmakers in London have Arnold at 1:10 and Cruz at 2:1)...
DD
P.S. I hope you start feeling better soon...
P.S.S. McClintock for governor...the right and best choice!
No. Some McClintock supporters (just a fringe few, mind you, but it demonstrates that not "all" want the same thing) have flat out stated if their candidate can't win they would prefer a Bustamante win.
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