As the Scarecrow sings, "Thinking Im a Lincoln, if I only had a brain."
I agree with Peter and Eric: If the choice is between Bustamante and Arnold, then you go Arnold. Although I expect or predict, that if Arnold wins it will be a disaster for the Republican Party in California. Arnold is the only person who can pass a budget with major tax increases. Davis and Bustamante cant. McClintock wont. Arnold brings enough of the Republicans over the cliff.
Should McClintock drop out? Perhaps it would be the prudent thing to do. But McClintock has made a promise to his supporters and he states over and over in public that he keeps his promises. So he is really in a lose, lose situation. He cant drop out because of that promise. Read his lips, so to speak. I expect it costs him more to drop out than to stay in the race.
"Should McClintock drop out? Perhaps it would be the prudent thing to do. But McClintock has made a promise to his supporters and he states over and over in public that he keeps his promises."
How refreshing, a principled politician. Wouldnt it be terrible should he get elected? Why, he might even tell the people the truth.
"TRUTH! You cant handle the truth!"
"If the choice is between Bustamante and Arnold, then you go Arnold."
The petard (California fiscal/budget crisis) is a creation of the Democrats. It would be most appropriate that they should "hoisted" by it. Your observations regarding "Conan, the Barbarian" are most accurate. He is the only Republican with the ability to make a "bad situation, worse". The right medicine is to put the "patient" on a "withdrawal" program, not "feed their habit". Of all the candidates, only Sen. McClintock has the nads to do this (Arnie being the victim of too many years on roids). It will take both vetoing spending and putting fiscal improving legislation on the referanda ballot, if the California Legislature will not do the responsible thing. McClintock said he would do just this and I believe him.