There are a couple of reasons why I surmise that the State GOP has been silent on the Kenney Chief of Staff kerfuffle. First, Arnold is now, and always has been his own entity. Although he owes his original election to the GOP base and other disaffected voters, he is not now nor will he ever be our titular leader. You could see this as the RNC Convention last summer, and nothing has changed. I for one have not ever heard from anyone in his administration or campaign, ever. As the founding chairman of the Lincoln Club of Fresno County, former CRP Treasurer and two term Vice Chairman Central, this is fairly astounding. Second, the State Party cannot raise any real money without him, so he will not be criticized. Third, and the reason why I have not protested, is there is no conceivable scenario under which he can be re-elected next year. Now, his appointment of this Chief of Staff has crushed whatever was left of our volunteer base, so even if Arnold has an unlikely spectacular year, there won’t be any rallying the troops come next Labor Day.
I liken this entire Arnold situation to a patient (California) that has to be rushed to the emergency room for a drug overdose. The ER Doctor (Arnold) saves the patient’s life and stabilizes her condition. Once the patient (California) is well, she is done with the ER doctor and goes back to her drug dealer (the Democrats).
I’ve said from June of this year that this special election was his re-election, and I have no reason to change my mind. I’ve seen no strategy, reason, or real analysis done by anyone to realistically prove that 500,000 voters will change their minds from 2005 to 2006. The indications that he is moving to the left on fiscal policy, borrowing and education spending are no matter. No Democrat votes are to be had for such pandering.
So, let’s take next year off! Sound good? There will be always something fun to write about whether Arnold runs again or not.