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Thursday, August 3, 2006
Last modified Wednesday, August 2, 2006 9:02 PM PDT

If Arnold terminated, California loses

By: Mark Mush - Commentary

If the recall election of 2003 never took place, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante would have been the prohibitive favorite to succeed the hapless Gray Davis as the Democrat candidate for governor. It is very unclear who might have been the Republican candidate. Perhaps it might have been Tom McClintock, but a first-time run by Arnold Schwarzenegger probably would have been a longshot.

Fortunately Davis was recalled, Bustamante is beginning his political descent by running for insurance commissioner, and Schwarzenegger is running for re-election. His opponent is the ultraleft-wing Phil Angelides.

Although Schwarzenegger is not the ideal candidate of the conservative wing of the Republican Party, he is still the last and best hope that we have to keep this state from being driven into the ground if Angelides takes over.

Last week, for instance, he spoke of his retraction of his support of Proposition 187 and questioned the motives of the Minutemen ---- although he had earlier openly praised their efforts on such forums as the John and Ken Show on KFI-640 AM.

Like it or not, Schwarzenegger really is not going to have that much effect on stopping immigration. He will, however, be a tremendous roadblock to the crazy bills that will almost certainly be passed by the socialists in Sacramento. Higher income taxes, driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, and more crazy regulations will all be foremost on the agenda with a Gov. Angelides at the helm.

Schwarzenegger did state during the recall election that he is not your typical Republican. He is more liberal on some social issues, but conservative on the fiscal front. He has been very upfront with his political philosophy. Democrats, on the other hand, are still trying to pull off one of the biggest political frauds in history with their continuous attempt to portray themselves as "progressives."

If you hear someone mention that they are progressive, reach for your wallet because that person will soon be reaching in your pocket to steal it.

So who are you going to elect, a social moderate but fiscally conservative Schwarzenegger who readily admits where he stands on the issues or a Phil Angelides who will have trouble keeping up with every conceivable tax increase and social program that will roll out of the state Legislature?

Without Schwarzenegger, this state will face an unprecedented attack from the liberal left ---- an attack that the state's economy will not be able to withstand. As lousy as Davis was as governor, at least he was a political opportunist and rejected some bills that he thought were detrimental to the state ---- if not his presidential aspirations. I can't imagine a Gov. Angelides following suit.

With his approval ratings up and a growing lead in the polls, Schwarzenegger looks like a sure bet to win re-election. Then we have to begin the countdown to 2011 and Gov. Antonio Villaraigosa. Yikes!

One footnote: Schwarzenegger will be returning to the area Sept. 26 at a $5,000-a-person fundraiser at the home of Supervisor Jeff Stone ---- a bit more expensive than the average dinner at Sweet Lumpy's BBQ, the restaurant Schwarzenegger visited last week in Temecula.

Mark Mush of Temecula is a regular columnist for The Californian. He can be reached at markwmush@hotmail.com.