GOP, DLC, Arnold, McClintock and Kucinich -- Maybe a silver lining.

[Armstead]

I've done my share of hand-wringing over Arnold's victory. But I see the problem more as stupidity than as any grand re-alignment. Why the voters chose star-power over brains and political experience.

But there also may be a silver lining in this. Arnold is not really a conservative. He is a corporate politician. He was a front-man for the corporate interrests who are diluting both the Democratic Party and GOP. Those on the right who have principles may soon find that they are being pushed out in the same way that liberals have been marginalied by the Democratic Party.

Arnold -- combined with other GOP figures -- could turn out to the Bill Clinton of the Republican Party. Pushing out the true ideological core of the GOP in favor of a safe, centrist corporate approach. And that could lead to a split on the right that is similiar to that on the left.

Although his beliefs are disagreeable to liberals, McClintock was probably the most honorable figure in that debacle. McClintock was, in effect, the Dennis Kucinich of the California race. The one the real conservatives wanted to support -- but in a variation of the ABB strategy of the left, many "held their noses" and voted for the "electable" candidate, Arnold, who stands against the social values they claim to believe in so strongly.

IMHO, Bill Clinton's strength was personal. He was a politically astute and charismatic figure who was able to attract voters who would never call themselves "liberal." But the Democrats made the mistake of seeing that as a coherent and winnable message. But, the only way that can work is in the hands of a master. When the mediocre try to imitate that formula, it falls flat -- which is what's happened to the Democrats. And Clinton-style dilution is what resulted in the split on the left, and the weakening of the Grand Coalition that used to be the base of the Democratic Party.

The GOP has been more consistent in their "message," and has come to rely on their coalition of social conservatives and fiscal conservatives working together. But if the GOP starts to emulate Arnold as a temnplate for their future,the true conservatives may tire of the hypocracy and start to look elsewhere.

How long can they defend the double-standard of their own leaders and spokespeople? How long can the ones who really believe in conservativism do back-flips to rationalize the complete abandonment of their principles by the GOP Corporate mainstream? How long can those with any conscience justify the behavior of someone like Arnold while criticizing the Democrats for being libertines and enablers of bad behavior?

Those true believers are not likely to become Democrats. But it could make the lines clearer, and put the GOP in the same dilemma as Democrats, by fracturing the GOP base. And lead to more McClintocks in the future.

Maybe., maybe not. But in times like these one clings to whatever bits of consolation one can.

[aquart]

1. It's already started. McClintock didn't fold, did he?

I look forward to their bitter disillusion.

[diplomats]

2. I dunno, Armstead

I don't think the GOP cares if Arnold is not a hardcore conservative. I believe they're more pragmatic than that.

[Armstead]

3. Not the GOP but their constituency

The pragmatists -- especially the corporate oriented ones -- won't care, and many of them are socially moderate or liberal anyway. But the GOp has relied on a worldview that has been publicly more consistent that the Democratic one, based on an uneasy mix of social and economic issues..

In reality, one's economic views have nothing to do with one's views on issues like abortion or so-called family values. But in the last couple of decades, the GOP was able to package them together.

But if the GOP starts to dilute that, the ones who truly believe in the values the GOP claims to stand for are going to have a harder time justiofying it. And thus, the GOP may well face the same schisms that have bedeviled the Democratic coalition.

[Armstead]

4. Kick

Any thoughts anyone?

[w4rma]

5. No thoughts from me, except to agree. (n/t)