The question I can't seem to get an answer to: If McClintock withdrew (he won't, but if he did) and then an "October surprise" made Arnold electorally radioactive, who would then be "responsible" for "electing" Bustamante?
How do you top nude photos and a Nazi family member?
So you would like an answer to a hypothetical question that you claim will never happen :-)? You claim that McClintock will not withdraw, but you ask about a hypothetical situation that "might" occur if he did?
My view is that *if* Davis comes up with a smear that actually works to make Arnold "radioactive" -- and the chances of that are slim -- [I think that has to be admitted -- we are talking about California here]. *If* that happened -- then Arnold would be responsible for not having prepared the public for whatever "heinous crime" he might have committed. Arnold would indeed be "responsible" for his impact. However, I think that most Califorians would suspect Davis of playing dirty before they would find Arnold "radioactive".
So, I've answered your question. Now please answer mine. Is McClintock "responsible" for his impact in this race?
Then it wouldn't matter. Those votes won't transfer automatically from Arnold to McClintock. They won't transfer at all. Arnold seems like his Terminator character in that, although he's felt some of what surprises have come out, he's healed himself and is back on track. The Dummycraps see this too. All they fired so far is blanks, no reason it won't stay that way.