Schwarzenegger Outcome Could Affect Bush in 2004

[kskiska]

Gubernatorial Win in California Would Bring Potential Risks as Well as Rewards, Strategists Say

By Dana Milbank and Mike Allen

President Bush arrives in California today with his political fortunes increasingly tied to the powerful but unpredictable figure of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

(snip)

The White House finds itself in the awkward position of playing spectator in a race that could alter Bush's political future. Though Rove cares so much about California that an associate calls the state "Karl's Ahab," the recall was driven by people at odds with the administration, such as Shawn Steel, who was pushed out by Bush allies as state Republican Party chairman. "It changes the fortune for the presidential campaign dramatically if we win," Steel said.

A Bush adviser acknowledged that "the recall was not something that we wanted to happen because it potentially gives the Democrats a chance to say what's happening in California is all about the recall process and not about the governor and his Democratic leaders." The adviser said Bush's 2004 prospects would be hurt if Davis, or Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (D), prevails and performs well in office, or if a Republican wins and does poorly.

"There is fear that, beloved this year, the governor could be unpopular next year," a Bush campaign official said. "Maybe it's better to keep Gray Davis as a punching bag."

Still, Schwarzenegger's decision to join the race, and early polls showing broad support, have buoyed the Bush campaign's hopes of a lift in 2004. "Schwarzenegger is the only candidate who has a chance to achieve what we wanted," one adviser said, adding that the two leading conservatives in the race, businessman Bill Simon and state Sen. Tom McClintock, have too much of a "hard edge" to add to Bush's appeal in the state.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56084-2003Aug13.html

[xray s]

1. and that is the evil genius of the BFEE

They know a hard right fundie can not outright win in California. So, they push an empty headed Terminator dressed up in socially liberal clothes. And if he wins, he turns everything that happens behind the scenes in state government over to the BFEE because he doesn't have clue about how to do the job of govenor.

[demgrrrll]

2. The highlighted sentence is bravado, wishful thinking. Ahhnuld isn't

going to get their fundie base in the trenches that's for sure.
I am having trouble seeing how the recall is a good idea for the GOP on any front, but this is a wait and see. I'm betting this activity does nothing or is a minus for Bush in 04. Possible wishful thinking on my part too but I can't get my head around it any other way right now.

[Dagaz]

3. I don't see it

I can't name ONE person who sees any tie-in between Arnold and Bush. If anything Bush is the guy who campaigned for Simon after backing Riordan so really has his hands tied. Maybe the two work out a rapport IF Arnold wins but right now Arnold is the pro gay Republican guy. How can Bush get cozy with THAT? The nuts would go even more nuts.

[LynneSin]

4. Arnold is another Puppet

sorta like Reagan back during his years as Governor.

With Arnold, he has no experience or idea how he's going to solve California's problems. So Arnold will hire people, like Warren Buffett, to do the work for him.

The Bush Regime could take a chance with Arnold by saying, "We'll help you get elected and throw our support your way, but when you get into office we expect you to let us have a say in how California will be run" ie: hiding documents that link the Bush Regime/Enron to the California Energy problem AND allowing the regime to install their voting system into the state.

They aren't looking at Arnold the political scholar (yeah right!) but Arnorld the guy who appeals to the lowest common denominator and has an "R" next to his name

[Dagaz]

5. Bush can't help

Arnold is way more popular than Shrub so this is not a state where he can help. Sure he' could help in most states but not here. Those folks already are voting for one of the two conservatives and won't switch to a moderate.

[PartyPooper]

6. I have a secret fantasy.

Sometime after being installed as governor, Arnold renounces his affiliation with the Republican Party...and, either becomes a Democrat or an Independent!

Please consider:

1) Arnold is fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

2) He was outraged by the treatment (and impeachment) of Bill
Clinton by the Republicans.

3) He is wealthy and can finance 100% his own campaign-and
be beholding to no one.

3) He has hired Warren Buffet (D) as his chief economic advisor.

4) The Ca. Assembly is dominated by Dems; Arnold could more
closely align himself with the socially-minded Dems rather
than the minority Republicans. (The far-right would be
effectively dis-enfranchised.) How better for him to advance
his agenda?

5) His wife, Maria Shriver is a Kennedy. As a life-long
Democrat, she has the influence, acumen and political savvy
to compliment him...and to "make things happen". (Who
knows, maybe SHE has even convinced him to agree to
switch parties?) And, I believe Uncle Ted has been working
the phones, too! Hmmmm.

Of course, all of this is predicated upon Karl Rove and BFEE being shut out by Arnold himself. Can he...or, will he do that?

:dem:

[shanti]

9. so you are an arnold lover?

sorry, but he is NOT on the dem's side!

[Andromeda]

13. When Ann Richards was on Larry King...

she said Arnold was a Bush Republican. She knows her way around and has been a public figure for a long time so I'm inclined to believe her.

No matter what Arnold seems to be on the surface he is definitely not a Democrat deep down. Former Republican governor Pete Wilson is going to advise Arnie on his campaign along with some former political advisors who worked for Wilson.

Just because he hired Warren Buffet doesn't mean he's turning liberal. He is more socially liberal than, say, Bill Simon, but he definitely isn't a socialist. That's why he became a Republican when he came to the U.S.---because he hated the socialism in Europe.

Being fiscally conservative could be a plus for California but I think he's going to have some trouble with the hispanic population because he voted for Proposition 187 when Pete Wilson was governor. Lawsuits ensued and the courts overturned the outcome of that bill because they said it was unconstitutional. I'm not sure what ultimately happened to 187---it could still be flopping around in the courts or dropped entirely. Anyone know? One eighty seven would have prevented illegal immigrants from receiving medical coverage here in California, principally, pregnant illegals who come to the U.S. to have their babies thus assuring their children would be U.S. citizens. I think emergency care still would have been available to them under that measure.

In my humble opinion I think Arnold S. wants to lull people into believing that he's going to save the day because he's some kind of super hero but he's just a died-in-the-wool Republican, through and through.

[Andromeda]

14. There is a light at the end...

of the tunnel---Arnold can never run for President because he was born in Austria.

If he wins California, that's it. Then it's "hasta la vista, baby!"

[PROGRESSIVE1]

19. Thank You Ann...

for telling it like it is! Arnie is a puppet for Bush! That's all he is!

[Eloriel]

7. PEOPLE, PEOPLE, WAKE UP -- It's all over if Arnold wins. In SPADES.

First of all, the way they've got these ballots set up, it's going to be a freakin' NIGHTMARE. It'll make Florida 2000 look like a picnic. There will be a HUGE push for computerized voting over more of the state. HUGE. That means: get ready for anotehr stolen election. Florida was just a dress rehearsal.

They've already begun the back story: The GOP thinks it can take CA and NY in 2004. In the Washington Post in the last several days.

2nd, Arnold knows NOTHING. They Repugs and their corporate plutocrats will OWN California.

Bush will lavish some money or perks of some kind on the state and make the inattentive Californians think either Arnold is a genius or Bush is or both.

Bush will visit CA extensively, the polls will be made to show how popular he and Arnold are, and Bush will take CA in 2004.

WE WILL LOSE CALIFORNIA IN 2004 IF YOU DON'T STOP THIS MADNESS. I'm not a betting woman, but barring unforeseen circumstances (e.g., BUsh dies or gets impeached or CA drops off into the ocean or something equally unlikely), I'm so sure of this outcome I'd bet my LIFE on it.

Eloriel

[Kool Kitty]

8. I have the sinking feeling that you're right, Eloriel.

This could be real bad. I wonder what they have up their sleeves for New York?

[shanti]

10. oh no they won't

they underestimate us ca dems! we will not go down without a fight!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

21. Shouldn't the Dem's choose either Davis or Bustamante, NOW????

We need unity behind one candidate!

[catzies]

11. Eloriel, I'm afraid you are spot on correct on all counts

Emphasis on "afraid." :scared:

[Fovea]

12. There does not have to be a tie between Arnold and George

In fact, there shouldn't be.
Karl is looking for the next big thing.
He knows that Bush is going down. He hopes that
having Ashcroft enable a presidential run, Arnold will play ball with the pnac/rove alliance.
Being too close to George right now is a big negative in CA. You are not going to see Cheney out there either. When Bush does come, the audience will be chanting Enron Enron Enron, over and over.

[R Hickey]

16. Arnold and Poppy Bush campaigned together in Poppy's last run

I remember seeing Arnold on the stage with Poppy Bush several times in the 1992 presidential campaign.

This whole thing is a Karl Rove creation.

First the Bush people secretly paid Issa to finance the recall, so that it wouldn't look like the Bush's did it. Then Rove paid Issa to cry big crocidile tears when he dropped out.

Mainwhile, at government expense, Ashcroft is exploring ways to deregulate the Constitutional requirement that the President or VP have to be US born. Why?

Because in the next presidental selection, in 2004, Rove wants Arnold (the vote getter) in the VP slot on Bush's ticket.

After four years with Vice President Arnold, in 2008, Rove will run Arnold for President, with Jeb Bush in the VP slot.

Then around 2012, Arnold will either die in a freak plane crash, develop brain cancer, or heart trouble, and Jeb Bush will become President for the next eight years.

[DemonFighterLives]

20. Too easy to believe

One can almost see them trying all that. Please tell me that it won't happen. Will some brave soul stand up and put a stop to the madness?

[Wednesdays]

18. Uh...

I can't name ONE person who sees any tie-in between Arnold and Bush.

For starters, the whole recall business has Rove's fingerprints all over it...check out this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=156846&mesg_id=156846

and this:

http://bartcopnation.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=2&topic_id=236244&mesg_id=236244&listing_type=search

[radfringe]

15. as my partner put it

..."all that Schwarzenegger has is platitudes and the 5 or 6 statements he was given to memorize... all bulk no muscle..."

[piece sine]

17. I saw this coming yesterday...

the minute I saw Warren Buffett's name as Arnold's advisor, I KNEW we had just lost California for this year....the the storm clouds for 2004 are ominous indeed. Let's all get behind ONE candidate and fight like hell!