Signs that Republicans can evolve????

[itsrobert]

Gov Arnold looks to be co-opting Democratic Party ideas. Is this an evolution of a republican or is this just the political workings of the Kennedys led by Maria and Uncle Ted? On the other hand, Bush continues to devolve.

[HappyWeasel]

1. Maybe the Reagan Republicans are going the way of the Kennedy Democrats

They are being isolated as a new Democratic Revolution unveils.

[CJCRANE]

2. Ironically, Republicans HAVE TO EVOLVE

to survive. It's their choice.

[TroglodyteScholar]

3. This is not evolution, but the ancient INSTINCT of self preservation...

There's nothing new under the sun today.

[flashlighter]

4. they don't believe in evolution, silly!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. I though cro-magnon were extinct.

I could be wrong, though.

[cyclezealot]

6. anrie. Trust him? crazy.

He's all talk; with maybe some survival instincts. He will be the genuine when he stops accepting money from some pretty corrupt sources and changes political parties. Likely next Repuke prez candidate will likely be McCain , that is reason to stay repuke. Research his talk with his backroom dealings. Trust arni at your peril. Bill Clinton did co opt some repuke stances. That's when he toyed with betraying his labor backers.

[Robbien]

7. Arnold loves the lobbyists

Arnold always has his eye on the wealth. If you are under the impression Arnold is doing something for the common good, then you should look a bit closer.

[sam sarrha]

8. the Gropinator wants to stay in power.. the Village idiot is in a flat spin into hell..

:nopity:

[cyclezealot]

9. not only that; he's ambitious.

You can expect him to start slandering Barbara Boxer. Both Arni's and Sen. Boxers' term expires in 2010. To get the Repuke nomination, he will have to start philandering with the California neanderthalls in the Calif Repuke party.

[Jade Fox]

10. Republicans ALWAYS co-opt progressive ideas...

It is the nature of Conservatism to have little or no original ideas. Therefore, conservatives steal and slightly alter the ideas of progressives, then claim complete credit for those ideas. If you watch, you'll see this phenomenon everywhere! Personally, it makes me quite angry.

[Annces]

11. He just broke his leg

which symbolically means he is having trouble moving forward. He probably sees that he is a dinosaur and has to reinvent himself. What a hypocrite.

[Eric J in MN]

12. Regarding Bush, he'll probably sign more good legislation...

...over the next two years than over the previous six years.

A Democratic legislature will have that effect, in California or DC.

[Bluestar]

13. The plain truth is Arnold is doing what is expedient

Since 2004 when he got a smackdown from California voters on 6 conservative ballot propositions (they all lost bigtime) he learned that you can't be a conservative governor in California. So he sold out every Republican principle when he ran in 2006 and the dumb Democrats ran a hapless candidate in Phil Angelides. He only capitulated to liberals so he could be re-elected. Rumors are that he is looking at a senate seat in the future (God help us) so expect more pandering from Arnold.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Arnie is doing exactly what the Clintons did

it is called triangulation

It is not evolution

[Anarcho-Socialist]

15. Schwarzenegger isn't indicative of the Republicans

Here's highly pragmatic. He ran on a GOP ticket because it was expedient for him to do so at the time, since political commentators were predicting Republican dominance for the foreseeable future. He's just himself really, too socially liberal for southern Republicans, and too foot-in-mouth misogynistic for a New England Republican.

[cyclezealot]

17. He said he turned to republicanism because of Reagan.

He goes on and on about socialism and Reagan style individualism. I suggest you are being suckered in by his image makers. Can you imagine what kind of voting record he'd have if he were in the US Senate. You will then regret your naiveite.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

18. I am not naive

Going on about Reagan-style individualism is itself a PR move to appease the GOP faithful. Schwarzenegger is about one individual and it's himself.

[cyclezealot]

21. I know there is grouds to think all politics is cynical

and postions are just pr stunts. But, my bottom line is the bottom line. You can trust one by knowning their friends and where their bread is buttered on. I don't like Arni's bottom line. As they say, just follow the money. He will disappoint you , given enough time and different circumstances. Once he's triangulated with those he need triangulate with, at this stage of his career.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

22. I think there may be some confusion here

I am certainly not defending or condoning him. To be clear I find him repellent. My point was made to beg to differ with the OP; whereas my position was is that how Schwarzenegger deals with state Democrats is an attitude away from your typical Republican and is not at all indicative of a nationwide trend of moderation on behalf of the GOP.

[cyclezealot]

24. A good point. Sort of like Clinton with the Repugs in 95.

You have to deal with them. But, California is a unique. A progressive state. ( With Reagan ?) Yet, it's law requiring 2/3 vote in the legislature, gives the repukes power, when they would have almost none. Their legislative minority is like less than 40% membership. That's the problem Democratic governnor had. The Repuke minority ruled with the 2/3 rule. They could stop any budget. And the California Senate had a GOP membership as neanderthall as they come. Just like Arizona, they are in the sun too much , when you live on the wrong side of the coastal range. !.
As to a moderation among Republicans. The moderate Repugs got wiped out last November. Brownback/McCain kissing Robertson's boots? I don't see moderation. They are just in a wringer over Bush's war gone sour.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

26. Agreed

McCain in particular has conducted a remarkable run to the hard right of the GOP to prepare for his presidential campaign (ultimately sabotaging his chances against a Dem candidate were he to pick up the Republican nomination).

[Madspirit]

16. I kind of like him...

For a groper and a Republican, I kind of like him. He's always leaned rather left, for HIS party. The hard-ass conservatives don't like him and that's another plus. I think he is one we could reach out to. He likes to be liked and that is something that can be used, especially as his own party doesn't much want to pat his pointed little head.
Madspirit

[NewJeffCT]

19. It's the same here in Connecticut

our governor proposed public financing of all statewide elections last year, and also proposed funding for embryonic stem cell research and indicated (before the bill was passed) that she would sign a civil unions bill. A few weeks ago, a Republic rep was on air demanding we take care of the pensions of state and local employees... and another Republic made the proposal to ban trans-fats in the state (that is an issue that gets criticized by Republics where they call us "nanny state" Democrats)

[rug]

20. They cannot evolve, only decompose.

[Zorra]

23. Never trust a republican. nt

[NYC Liberal]

25. "Signs that Republicans will say anything to win an election" is more like it.

[Hubert Flottz]

27. I've noticed that Bush has gone from a Chimp to a neanderfuk in

six years!