The American Spectator

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Make Way for 'The Infiltrator'

10.2.03 @ 12:01AM

SELL OFF
Re: George Neumayr's Losing by Winning:

George Neumayr seems to think that California Republicans voting for Arnold Schwarzenegger is tantamount to Episcopalians voting for a gay bishop. The fact is, Arnold is not a "de facto Democrat and Hollywood liberal."

I like Tom McClintock. I've given money to his campaigns in the past. And up to about a week ago, if any pollster had called me, I would have told them I was voting for McClintock. But with polls now showing Arnold beating McClintock by 22 or more points, neither I nor the California Republican Party "elites" are sabotaging McClintock's campaign by endorsing Arnold. Though I (and most of the party "elites") agree with Mr. Neumayr that McClintock could beat Bustamante -- in a two-way race -- the fact is, we don't have a two-way race. And it seems a bit much to ask of the Republican "elites" to pressure Arnold (polling at 40%) to drop out so that McClintock (polling at 15%) can have a chance to win.

It appears that one of the biggest problems conservatives like Mr. Neumayr have with Arnold is that he is not pro-life. But with Roe v. Wade the law of the land, this is irrelevant in a gubernatorial race. And certainly the California legislature, dominated by liberal Democrats, is not going to pass anything restricting abortion rights.

As commentators, we can be as ideologically pure as we want, without consequences. That's not true in politics. Any political party that wants to be more significant than the Libertarians has to allow for a reasonable variation from its ideological core for the simple fact that the vast majority of voters are not ideological. Having little record to go by, Arnold is a bit of a question mark, but he says enough of the right things that this conservative is going to have no trouble punching his San Diego County punch-card ballot all the way through for Arnold on Tuesday.

I would like to remind Mr. Neumayr and like-minded conservatives, that George W. Bush is no Ronald Reagan (or Tom McClintock). But we are all better off that in 2000 Republicans decided to win with George W. Bush rather than to lose with Alan Keyes.
-- Brandon Crocker
San Diego, CA

George Neumayr is right about Ah-nuld. But, sadly, most of his criticisms could apply to the national Republican Party as well. Just a brief examination of Dubya's domestic record compels the conclusion that the Republicans have very little soul left to sell. I see no evidence they're engaging the left anywhere. They aren't even trying to advance the conservative agenda -- don't even use the word "conservative" except in fund raising letters to their "dinosaur list." The GOP battle cry for '04 could be, "Our liberals can beat your liberals."
--Larry Thornberry
A dinosaur in Tampa

When was it decided that the Republican Party was a subsidiary of the Vatican? Arnold has supported both Presidents Bush and the efforts of the American military in Iraq. Republicans might do a little better if they keep their religion separate from their politics.
-- Gene Schmidt

Come on, George, I think it's time you stepped back and tried to be objective. The only reason the California Republican Party exists is to help elect a Republican President. Period. Arnold as Governor does this.
-- Mo Sandvig

We regard Arnold as "The Infiltrator" and have e-mailed his office as such and the Republican offices as such and that he should step aside for the experienced Sen. McClintock.

We are exasperated with the Republican party for what they are doing and will not support them.

Thank you,
-- Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Edwards
Livermore, CA

But, a Schwarzenegger administration has to be a disaster! He will have exactly the same Democrat-controlled legislature, a body that hasn't the slightest interest in making him look good. "Renegotiate with the public sector unions?" Is Arnie on something? McClintock will probably take his notoriety and steadfastness and leadership out of the legislature and into the next campaign for U.S. Senator. But, in 2004, where we used to have the ability to point at California as an example of the terrible damage that liberal Democrats can do, if Arnie wins, the Democrats will now have proof of the Republicans' (liberal and conservative) failure to meet campaign promises. Maybe Arnie can pull something off, but my view is that, over the near term, California and the country would be far better off with no recall and Davis still running the quagmire.
-- M in Colleyville

SAD SCIENCE
Re: Hunter Baker's Unintelligent Designs on Academic Freedom:

I read with sadness Hunter Baker's Special Report.

Letter to the Editor

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