How devastating would a loss in California be to the Republican Party?

[kentuck]

As the world knows, they are putting everything into this race, even WH involvement, but they are keeping that quiet. Until and if Arnold wins, then he will be welcomed as a conquering hero. Because they covet California...

How much have they invested in political capital in California? Most of the state leaders, except McClintock, have climbed on the Arnold bandwagon. So their credibility is on the line if Arnold loses. They are taking a huge gamble with Arnold.

[realFedUp]

1. Well let's project

Arnold would have run in '06. If the recall fails
or Bustamante wins, Arnold won't rerun in '06 because
of what people found out about him this time.

If Tom McClintock has a decent showing, and his Senate
district, which has changed, is lost to him next
year because the GOP doesn't help him, might run
again in '06.

Bill Simon has pretty much nuked himself with voters
of all ilks.

Peter Ueuberroth probably has a good chance of repackaging
himself for a run as a Republican since he didn't do that
much damage this time around. He'd have to take Viagra though...

Richard Riordan, who was sidelined, might get in but voters
still don't see he has much oomph left in him to be a politician,
just a kingmaker.

So, that doesn't leave a whole lot of nationally known
politicians...
Oh, I forgot Rep. David Dreier, who is the White House
contact, translator and mouthpiece for Ah-nold...
If Arnold does well in this recall, David might have a chance
at a higher office, but if Arnold sucks like we hope he does
David is tainted somewhat.

Dems who haven't touched this race will likely
run in '06. Candidates like Steve Westly, Bill Lockyer,
and Cruz again if he isn't elected.

[dfong63]

3. if Arnold beats Cruz, then i for one

... don't want want to see Cruz run again. there are better candidates out there; it just happens that due to the unusual circumstances of this election, Cruz is the man of the hour. if he fails to reach the brass ring now, then as far as i'm concerned, he's a loser. but let's hope this doesn't come to pass.

[AndyTiedye]

5. If Schwarzie wins It Means 2004 Will Be Marked by the Rise of the Machinez

and the final disenfranchisement of the people.

If the Repubs can steal California, they can steal anywhere and everywhere, and they will.

The Repubs would start calling themselves "The Party" as is customary in one-party states like China, the former Soviet Union, and the former Iraqi regime.

[pbeal]

2. Not a very big loss

No sane person would want to be Gov of California.

[GiovanniC]

4. How Devestating Would a WIN Be?

Does anyone honestly think that Jingle-All-The-Way-Boy will be able to solve all of California's myriad problems?

Arnold's going out there, saying that he can fix everything, but if he wins he's going to have to actually GOVERN. Seriously, can anyone imagine Arnold doing anything better than f**kin' things up WORSE than they already are?

[dfong63]

7. that's not the point

Does anyone honestly think that Jingle-All-The-Way-Boy will be able to solve all of California's myriad problems?

no, he won't be able to solve our problems, but he'll be able to screw things up worse than they already are. don't forget that governors make all sorts of appointments, among them judicial appointments.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. GiovanniC Arnold will NOT be Gov....BushCo* will be...com'n you node that

[Gman]

6. If Camejo will get out it would help devastate the GOP

just like Arriana getting out. If Camejo stays in, he's obviously doing it to deny the Democrats a victory.

[CMT]

8. not as devastating as a loss for the Democrats

on both ballot issues would be.

[SharonAnn]

9. I don't think it will slow them down much. Remember, they have

almost unlimited amounts of money to push their agenda and they'll just go looking for the next way to undercut democracy.

They can finance issue campaign, think tanks, media pundits, etc.

It may slow them a little butnot for long, and they'll still push for their agenda as long as their money holds. And they can raise "obscene" amounts of money to push their issues.

[rucky]

10. Actually they have nothing to lose...

They've derailed a legit Governorship

They've successfully made the Democratic governor appear incompetent with very little debate.

They've made the "liberal" state of California the object of worldwide ridicule.

And even if they lose, you can't take those things away from them - they'll just chalk it up as a looney state they tried to save.