Posted on 09/30/2003 6:28:14 AM PDT by RGSpincich
California Lawmaker Says Schwarzenegger Is Conservative Enough By Jimmy Moore Talon News September 30, 2003
SACRAMENTO (Talon News) -- State Sen. Ray Haynes, who has been described by the California media as "one of the most outspoken conservatives in the Legislature," announced his support on Monday for the candidacy of Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger over his political ally and friend, State Sen. Tom McClintock, in the California recall election taking place next Tuesday.
"I have endorsed Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor," Haynes wrote in an e-mail broadcast to his constituents and fellow conservatives. "I have received a variety of responses to that decision. ... I understand them all."
Haynes said that when the recall was first being discussed, the only elected officials who made public appearances at support rallies were himself and McClintock.
He said they were involved in the effort because of the obvious lack of leadership their state was receiving from Democrat Gov. Gray Davis.
"I believed then, and I believe now, that it is critical to get rid of Gray Davis, and change the direction of this state," Haynes wrote in the e-mail.
He added that Democrat Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante would not be an improvement over Davis if he is elected governor in the recall election.
"I know that Cruz will just be Gray Davis done over," he stated. "In fact, as an ideological true believer (which Davis is not), Cruz could even be worse in some ways."
Haynes said he is proud to have worked closely with Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), encouraging him to organize the recall effort and get it on the ballot. He said there was some tension between Issa and McClintock during the discussions about who should run as the conservative candidate in the race.
"I know Darrell talked to Tom about not running," Haynes recalled. "Tom ultimately decided not to reconsider. Issa is a strong conservative, and was, more than any other, responsible for the success of the recall, but Tom believed he should be Governor."
Haynes says the conservative movement in California has been hit hard ever since Davis was elected governor in 1998. He said that although former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson was despised by many conservatives for his moderate stand on the issues, Haynes said that at least Wilson vetoed much of the legislation that Davis has now signed into law.
"Wilson was viciously attacked by conservatives (including me) for being too moderate, but he vetoed bills putting sexual orientation in the civil rights laws, domestic partnership bills, every gun bill put on his desk, bills designed to push the homosexual agenda in schools, in our social services, and a variety of other efforts by the left to undermine our culture," Haynes continued in the e-mail. "But in the last five years, Davis has signed all of those bills."
Haynes then turns his attention to the primary subject of his e-mail: Schwarzenegger. Haynes asserted that because he is a conservative, it would be easy for him to support McClintock in the recall race.
"If I had said or done nothing, or endorsed Tom, I could have skated through this entire event without cost to me," Haynes explained.
But he said that the worst thing that could happen to conservatives in California is if McClintock siphons away just enough votes from Schwarzenegger to allow Bustamante to win the election.
"But, if Cruz wins because Tom split the vote, the cost to the conservative movement in California will be immeasurable," Haynes surmised. "I know if Cruz wins, conservatism is California will be discredited for a long time."
Answering the questions that many conservatives have about Schwarzenegger, Haynes believes there are several reasons why conservatives should not be afraid to rally behind the actor-turned-Republican politician.
First, he says Schwarzenegger does not run from the conservative label.
"He is not afraid to call himself a conservative," Haynes maintains. "Many of my moderate friends refuse to even use the word, because they think it damages them. Schwarzenegger used it at the convention, and used it proudly. That is a good thing."
Second, he says that Schwarzenegger understands the basic principles and virtues of conservatism.
"Anyone who says that 'Milton Friedman is right, and Karl Marx is wrong' has the makings of a good conservative, even if he doesn't understand all of the nuances of the political debate," Haynes continued. "When you begin with the right base, the rest is simply good education."
Third, he claims that Schwarzenegger supports the conservative view on the fundamental social issues.
"Schwarzenegger is with us ... [on] parental notification in abortion, and against partial birth abortion ... [and] against gay marriage," Haynes said.
Fourth, he believes Schwarzenegger will support parental choice with education because "he thinks Milton Friedman is right."
Finally, Haynes says that Schwarzenegger possesses a strong influence on economic policy that should be exciting to conservatives.
"[H]e has been quite clear in what he would do to turn the business climate around, and he has pledged to end the car tax," Haynes defends.
Haynes confesses that if this were a Republican primary race that he would undoubtedly be supporting the more conservative McClintock. But he said the "winner take all situation" this election presents makes the decision about who to support much more difficult.
Haynes closes the e-mail by saying the main reason he is supporting Schwarzenegger is to stand up for those conservative principles and values he so strongly believes in.
"The only reason I fight the fight I fight in politics is to advance the principles of family, freedom, and free enterprise which we all share," he states. "I will continue that fight as best I can with the tools available to me, regardless of the outcome of the recall. I will stand with you again on all those fights, no matter who is Governor."
But he does give a clear warning to Schwarzenegger if he becomes the next governor of California.
"[I]f Schwarzenegger wishes to fight us on [conservative] principles I will stand with [conservatives]," Haynes declares.
How so?
No, none of them. You've been snookered.
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