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!
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February 21st, 2006 at 12:00 am
Kudos Mr. Fleishman for your brilliant analysis.
When two people come together as our Governor and Senator McClintock to exchange ideas, the best and strongest ideas will survive. Our cause is fortunate to have such an effective and persuasive communicator as Senator McClintock whose record over nearly three decades of public service is unimpeachable.
I have not met the governor, but believe that while he is highly political and pragmatic in his approach to the realities of California politics, he understands at some level the fundamental genius of the ideas Senator McClintock so eloquently asserts.
Although we must stay vigilant so that all our leaders stay true to the cause of liberty, I do not view the growing relationship between these two men as evidence, as some may have asserted, that the Senator has gone astray.
On every occasion when the governor has put forth policies that would damage our states balance sheet, increase regulation, or limit the ability of our citizenry to produce, innovate and create, the Senator has spoken out publicly against him.
Friends can disagree. Debate spreads strong ideas and dissipates weak ideas. As conservatives dedicated to the success of this greatest of human experiments, it is imperative for all of us to engage those we disagree with, whether they be moderate Republicans, Independents or even Democrats.
The ideas of limited government, sound fiscal policy, and personal responsibility embodied in our Republican Party and in our Constitution gave rise the most inventive and creative society that has ever existed. We are the lucky, fortunate recipients of this most incredible of social/political structures.
Our party’s mission must be to restore that vision to its original luster and ensure its success. For its success will mean that we remain competitive in a world of new national competitors, new markets, and brisk technological innovation.
Standing in our way, the opposition is dominated by labor unions and special interests that fight to protect the government structures that have distorted free markets to their advantage and to our society’s general hindrance.
At present time, we are in the minority. Our ideas are right and our cause just. We can win on their strength, but only if we engage those with whom we disagree partially and entirely.
We should all follow the example set by Senator McClintock and fully engage the governor, moderates, and our fellow Californians of all political and social backgrounds.
In my opinion it is how we become the majority.
Respectfully,
Thomas Lee