Why doesn't the press refer to Schwarzenegger as a RINO?

self | self

[ejdrapes]

We all know that Arnold is Schwarzenegger is Liberal. So why does the mainstream media refer to him as a "moderate Republican", and why do many conservative commentators/columnists refer to him as a "liberal Republican" (isn't that an oxymoron)? Why not call him what he is - a RINO! In fact, why doesn't Arnold switch parties and become a DemocRAT because that's what he really is. The Republican party should not assume that a conservative/semi-conservative could never be elected in California, especially considering Davis' dismal poll numbers. Why can't prominant Republicans like David Dreier get behind McClintock and poured all of their energies into getting him elected instead of salivating all over Arnold?

[ElkGroveDan]

Why can't prominant Republicans like David Dreier get behind McClintock and poured all of their energies into getting him elected instead of salivating all over Arnold?

Don't know the answer to that, but it's the same behavior we saw when Liberal Dick (Riordan) ran. Dreier was slobbering all over the place for Riordan.

[4mycountry]

Look. I know the guy isn't really a conservative.

But GEEZ PEOPLE, for the last few days all the vanities and posts are about how Ahnold is a RINO.

Please people, we get the picture!!!

[Chi-townChief]

"In fact, why doesn't Arnold switch parties and become a DemocRAT because that's what he really is."

Probably because he's still marginally sane.

[ex-Texan]

That would not be 'PC.' Arnold would be offended and might show up in their offices -- to a huge crowd -- and politely suggest that she be terminated. El Rushbo was talking about Arnold this morning. He was very restrained and even polite in his commentary. Yet he was carefully trashing Ms. Huffington.

[mj1234]

He will become a Demon rat -a la Jumpin jim jeffords
when he gets the chance.

[Sundog]

'Son of a Nazi' gets way more mileage.

[joesnuffy]

because to the press a RINO is a good thing-
they recognize their own

[lilylangtree]

RINO is too nice for Arnauld. He's a bloody RAT like the RAT creepola from Vermont who billed himself as a pub like Termite the Terminator but finally took off the pub facade and went RAT, uh, Independent that is.

[Salgak]

Because there is not a RINO party, but there IS a Republican party.

"RINO" is a term used by bitter ultra-conservatives who are more interested in ideological purity than getting Republicans elected, and influencing the more liberal members to vote in a more conservative fashion.

In other words, people who want it all, right now, and not some now, with a chance for more later, and end up getting nothing but their political nightmares come true. . .

[deport]

So why does the mainstream media refer to him as a "moderate Republican",

---

My guess is to jerk the chain of the 1%ers.....

[biblewonk]

"RINO" is a term used by bitter ultra-conservatives who are more interested in ideological purity than getting Republicans elected, and influencing the more liberal members to vote in a more conservative fashion.

Wow a nice bit of wisdom on an otherwise rapidly becoming boring topic.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

In a place like Southwest Missouri, where I am, Arnold would be considered a liberal, no question. But he is running in California and he is moderate in context.

We have to realize that the vast, vast majority of Californians are not Conservative by any measuring stick. Once that is realized, it becomes apparent that a Conservative can not win there. Arnold is to the right of Davis and Feinstein and Boxer. He is to the right of Berkeley and Hollywood and Malibu. Arnold is more Conservative than 60% of the people in California.

If he wins, the Democrats will have to spend money in the large media markets of California to keep Bush from carrying the State. Since we aren't going to get a Conservative in the California Governor's Mansion, I would at least like to get someone that will cost the Democrats a ton of money in 2004.

But I like to win, and most Conservatives on this site like to whine. I guess that's the difference.

[Always Right]

"RINO" is a term used by bitter ultra-conservatives who are more interested in ideological purity than getting Republicans elected, and influencing the more liberal members to vote in a more conservative fashion.

I disagree with your accessment. RINO is a term that should be properly applied to Republicans who do more to advance liberal causes than conservative causes. Some people do overuse for their extreme one issue point of view, but IMHO Arnold has a good chance at being a RINO.

[spokeshave]

Finally some sanity;

If he wins, the Democrats will have to spend money in the large media markets of California to keep Bush from carrying the State. Since we aren't going to get a Conservative in the California Governor's Mansion, I would at least like to get someone that will cost the Democrats a ton of money in 2004.

But I like to win, and most Conservatives on this site like to whine. I guess that's the difference.

[maestro]

We all know that Arnold is Schwarzenegger is Liberal.
......GERMAN INTERNATIONALIST SOCIALIST.

[Always Right]

Why doesn't the press refer to Schwarzenegger as a RINO?

Kind of a dumb question. Why would the media call Arnold a name? Arnold's policies are in line with what the media generally considers 'mainstream' or 'moderate', even though a majority of people hold opposing views.

[ElkGroveDan]

In a place like Southwest Missouri, where I am, Arnold would be considered a liberal, no question. But he is running in California and he is moderate in context. We have to realize that the vast, vast majority of Californians are not Conservative by any measuring stick. Once that is realized, it becomes apparent that a Conservative can not win there. Arnold is to the right of Davis and Feinstein and Boxer. He is to the right of Berkeley and Hollywood and Malibu. Arnold is more Conservative than 60% of the people in California. If he wins, the Democrats will have to spend money in the large media markets of California to keep Bush from carrying the State. Since we aren't going to get a Conservative in the California Governor's Mansion, I would at least like to get someone that will cost the Democrats a ton of money in 2004. But I like to win, and most Conservatives on this site like to whine. I guess that's the difference.

You really assume alot to be able to comment on California from another state. How is it that you can come up with this line of reasoning, but Republican activists who live and work in politics in Californa don't agree with you?

California may have elected a lot of liberals in recent years, but the vast majority of Californians are not far left liberals. The fickle middle have swung to the Dems in recent years (for many complex reasons). The Dem party is controlled by extreme leftists, so when they take cahrge you see all the nutty legislation.

But the majority of Californians are NOT liberal. The recall itself is evidence of this. Proposition 22, The Protection of Marriage Initiative that won by 62% and by over 70% in most counties is also evidence of this.

California is a Western State with the most solid conservatives found anywhere in the nation. Our problems come from the liberal bastions in LA and San Francisco with their large populations. Northern California, The Central Valley, The Inland Empire and the High Desert are as conervative as any other part of the country, in some cases, more so.

If I went by what I see on TV and hear on the news I would be forced to declare that everyone in Missouri is a banjo-picking product of incest, but that would be unfair, so I'm not going to do that.

[Salgak]

One other point: what's a "RINO" in one state is a "hard-right" conservative in others.

Example: Maryland Governor Ehrlich. By VIRGINIA standards, he's a RINO: by MARYLAND standards, he's significantly to the Right of Center

Reality check: the vast majority of California Republicans are "RINOs" in the eyes of most "movement" conservatives everywhere else. That's also because California's Political Spectrum is pushed to the Left in a near-Canadian or European scale...

Heck, by some Virginia standards, Lady Margaret Thatcher would have been a RINO, if she was running over here. You have to guage political position and temperament by the local it's being played in. . .