THE CELEBRITY AND THE IDEOLOGUE
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom McClintock are shoo-ins for their respective GOP nominations for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively. Being from the same political party may be the strong tie that bind these two unique individuals, who are very different from one-another. In Schwarzenegger, you have the ‘larger-than-life’ movie star who loves to take on BIG projects and put on a show. He is moderate on social and (apparently) economic issues. He enjoys smoking cigars, and driving his Harley Davidson motorcycle. In McClintock you have much more a policy-wonk. A strong conservative, McClintock will often be the lead voice from the legislature on any move away from the right (which has included, at times, criticism of the Governor – such as his signing the ballot arguments against Proposition 57 & 58). McClintock readily quotes his hero, Winston Churchill, and is a registered parliamentarian.
Two people, very different, who may be able to help each other, or maybe not. Clearly, McClintock has been able help quell outright rebellion at this upcoming State GOP Convention, lobbying delegates via letter and Board Members of the California Republican Assembly via telephone to stand down on an effort to try and pull the Governor’s endorsement. McClintock’s utility to the Governor for these kinds of political maneuvers is quite high. But the supreme hope of Republicans like me is that that a bond will form between Schwarzenegger and McClintock that will have a much more powerful impact – on the policy level. I firmly believe that good policy is good politics. Tom McClintock is a tremendous resource for the Governor on policy issues, and it is my hope that as they start to spend more time together, that the Senator has a real opportunity to discuss many issues and topics with the state’s Chief Executive. As a matter of fact, the more time that the two of them can spend together, the better!
It is one thing to get GOP insiders, members of the exclusive 1400 member state central committee, to ratchet-down their disappointment in Governor’s policy shift since the new year began. After all, most are pragmatic enough to logic out that while the Governor is a moderate, that is vastly superior to the liberal socialistic dogma espoused by Democrats Steve Westly and Phil Angelides. But the challenge for the Governor is to excite the Republican base. And you simply aren’t going to do this with a "build, build, build/borrow, borrow, borrow" theme to your re-election campaign. There are a host of issues that are popular with conservatives, ranging from a number
of the reforms championed last year in the special election, to other issues such as immigration reform, eminent domain reform, and fighting to cut taxes. The challenge isn’t how to whip up 1400 people at a convention – the movie-star quality of Arnold will do that. It is announcing fiscally conservative policy objectives for 2006 that will send GOPers home feeling they have someone substantive to take to their constituencies. In the absence of this, delegates will end up feeling like they were extras in a movie being put on to entertain our friends in the media.
I’m sure that Senator McClintock stands ready to supply Team Arnold with all of the policy ammunition it will take to have a strong, energized GOP working enthusiastically for the Governor’s re-election throughout 2006!
MORE ON DUKE – AND HIS SENTENCING
There is an article in today’s San Diego Union-Tribune where a number of folks have come forward an written letters to the judge who will sentence former Congressman Randy Cunningham, after his plea of guilty in taking millions of dollars in bribes in return for doling out government contracts. Like anyone, I believe in forgiveness, and I understand that somewhere (deep) inside of Cunningham is a good person who strayed away from the path. But a simple read of the actually crimes of this man make you wonder what message will be sent to the Beltway, or to the world for that matter, if Duke is giving any sentence that isn’t long and hard. I hope the judge understands the ramifications of the decision before him. The damage that Duke Cunningham has done to the institutions of representative democracy in this country is unthinkable. Climbing back from this starts with stern and severe punishment.
Have a great day, and remember to keep your input (anonymous or not) coming!
Jon
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