Calls for unity lost amid GOP uproar

The Orange County Register ^ | 02-26-06 | SORAYA SARHADDI NELSON

[Amerigomag]

SAN JOSE – Is Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Republican enough? It's a question that has dominated the state GOP convention in the Silicon Valley this weekend and will be answered by more than 1,000 convention delegates in a floor vote today.

Republican state Chairman Duf Sundheim described the discussion over Schwarzenegger's policies as a historic occasion. But party activists who accuse Schwarzenegger of rejecting his Republican mantle say what is transpiring is little more than a thinly veiled attempt to silence intra-party dissent.

Saturday afternoon, a party committee that shapes such discussions at the convention effectively reduced a brawl over Schwarzenegger's policies to a debate over two resolutions. The committee's actions did not sit well with the activists, who for weeks had been trying to get the party to directly confront Schwarzenegger over what they regard as his unacceptable tack to the left during the past three months.

Their ire grew when he proposed a budget for next year that they predicted would exacerbate the deficit. And they oppose his 20-year plan to revamp California's public works because it relies in large part on $68 billion in borrowing. Even Senator Tom McClintock appeared annoyed by the committee's actions. During a luncheon speech, he warned that "in the end, if we don't stand by our principles, what is the point of winning?"

That call for unity, which was supposed to have been the theme of the convention, faded Saturday as arguments between Schwarzenegger supporters and detractors mounted.

[manwiththehands]

Those stupid "fringers". They'll ruin everything for the RINO party!

[goldstategop]

You can't have unity when the Governor and his Administration appear determined to drive themselves off a cliff. Hey, we agreed not to be the spoilsports and we aren't ones wrecking the party's unity. The Administration is doing a mighty fine job of that with the budget, spending, borrowing and God knows what else. They should stop blaming conservatives for the uproar.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[calcowgirl]

Tom McClintock appeared annoyed by the committee's actions. During a luncheon speech, he warned that "in the end, if we don't stand by our principles, what is the point of winning?"

[Jimbaugh]

was at the convention, Duf and Ron Nehring and the other storm troopers think that strong arming the dissent at the convention is a success. If you have to do that then there is no unity.

I was at the CCR meeting that Arnold showed up at and I now know what it looked like when the captain of the titanic showed up and asked if the band can play louder. They stopped all video recording, they won’t allow questions. This is not a movie. I will ask questions and if I don’t get good answers I will not vote for Arnold.