Republicans Ponder the Center

[Q]

Republicans Ponder the Center
By ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: October 11, 2003


SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 10 — In Arnold Schwarzenegger, the national Republican Party now has a magnetic movie star in charge of the most populous state in the union, a governor-elect who has already emerged as an articulate, media-savvy and earnest figure who does not play by the conventional rules of politics.

But far from simply rejoicing over his election, the party finds itself entangled in a debate over whether it should follow Mr. Schwarzenegger's path by moving to the center on social issues in order to become even more competitive in state and national races.

Mr. Schwarzenegger's sweeping victory stirred anxiety among some conservatives, as much as it has cheered moderate Republicans, who have seized on it as evidence of how the party should position itself to fortify its standing, even at a time when it has proved increasingly dominant in American politics.

Several moderate Republicans said Mr. Schwarzenegger was now in a position to be a hugely influential and moderating force on his party, should he choose to be.

"How he won tells me that his message — he's both fiscally conservative and socially inclusive and moderate — was one that appeals to the middle," said Christie Whitman, a moderate Republican and former New Jersey governor who recently stepped down as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/11/national/11ARNO.html?hp

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- Looks like both the (DLC) Dems and the GOPers are going to 'move to the center' on social and other issues and compete for the same voters.

- This is even more evidence that the Democratic party needs to look to their traditional base for votes.

[baldguy]

1. Of course they think Genghis Khan is the "center"

Ralph Reed and Trent Lott are liberals.

[Q]

2. Don't count on it...

...the Republican party will indeed woo the center and then govern to the far left. They just might get away with it (again) considering the media is on their side.

[kentuck]

3. With Arnold "in" and Rush "out"......

The Repubs won't know whether to shit or go blind..:)

[Q]

4. But is Rush 'out'?

- I don't believe so...he'll be more popular than ever with the RushHeads. Keep in mind that RWingers forgave the lifelong drunk Bush* when he 'found' God. Expect the same thing to happen with Rush. He'll find God and everything will be okay.

- The Republicans have no plans to actually 'move' to the center...just play pretend to be 'moderates' until after the election and then govern just as they are right now...to the FAR right.

[kentuck]

6. Yeah, he's only temporarily "out"...

He'll be back and more popular than ever, probably....But we should have a lot more fun with his hypocritical quotes...

[msmcghee]

5. Just another example . .

. . of Carl Rove's duplicity. He wanted Cal in the puke camp. He did what worked. The Christian Right are the one's scratching their heads right now.

I don't think there are that many foaming mouth bible thumpers in Cal anyway. At least not compared with the south - way over on the other side of the country.

Some RW Christians did say some negative things during the campaign but . . those who get their morals out of a confused book won't have too much trouble with Ah-nold's morals. And those who believe annointed others hold the key to life's answers do love movie stars - of whatever persuasion.

I remember a long time ago back in the early sixties when long hair on guys was shocking. A (long haired) friend was in the store when a little girl said "Mommy look at that man with long hair". Mommy looked disgusted and tugged her daughter away in a protective manner.

Then my friend said, "Oh, it's OK, I'm an actor".

Immediately the woman became very friendly, even gushing, and told her daughter it was OK - and then asked for his autograph.

[charlie]

7. Arnie a moderate? Hah!

His "social inclusion" is a matter of convenience. He's just another example of a whatever-it-takes conservative winger, except that certain avenues of useful demagoguery are closed to him.

Pumping Iron, the film that made him a minor star, was released in an age when bodybuilders were considered freaks. Most people at that time thought physiques with pneumatic muscles and ropy veins were repulsive. Yet, the movie attracted a lot of notice because of Arnold. Reviewers found his use of intimidation and headgames to quash Lou Ferrigno's challenge perversely fascinating. He got a leg up outside the Mr Universe ghetto because he was an unabashed predatory reptile.

He's not a social conservative because he can't resort to exploitation of their concerns. His indulgence in recreational drugs and steroids are well documented. He's been indifferent to the use of his image as a gay pinup because it furthered his fame. That he's just shy of being a rapist is common knowledge.

Arnie does what's necessary to benefit Arnie. He's another winger, not a moderate.