Schwarzenegger: ‘Extreme Right Wing’ Of Republican Party Has Litmus Test That ‘Doesn’t Allow Compromise’

[Jerry Miah]

http://www.mediaite.com/online/schwa...ow-compromise/

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote an op-ed that appeared in the Los Angeles Times about the current state of the Republican party. Schwarzenegger reaffirmed his status as a dedicated member of the GOP, but expressed his hope that the party would try to seek compromise and not be so ideologically rigid in pursuit of an agenda.

Schwarzenegger proudly related how he was inspired to join the GOP after listening to Richard Nixon talk about “less government and taxation” and “the need for a strong military.” He marks this as the 44th consecutive year he has identified as a Republicans, but now he admits he feels less certain of his party affiliation than he did those many years ago. Schwarzenegger argued that in the current political climate, moderate Republicans like himself are not being treated well by certain factions of the party.

[i]n the current climate, the extreme right wing of the party is targeting anyone who doesn’t meet its strict criteria. Its new and narrow litmus test for party membership doesn’t allow compromise.

I bumped up against that rigidity many times as governor. Not surprisingly, the party wasn’t always too happy with me. But I had taken an oath to serve the people, not my party. Some advisors whose opinions I respect urged me to consider leaving the party and instead identify myself as a “decline to state” voter. But I’m too stubborn to leave a party I believe in.

It’s time for the Republicans who are so bent on enforcing conformity to ask themselves a question: What would Ronald Reagan have done? He worked hard to maintain a welcoming, open and diverse Republican Party.

He claimed that the party has a rich history of leaders “who rejected ideology in favor of seeking solutions.” Nixon, after all, was responsible for creating the Environmental Protection Agency, which, as Schwarzenegger noted, is not a popular agency among many Republicans now. Schwarzenegger called for the party to be more open and welcoming of moderates.

Full text here
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...0,178448.story

[SamH]

Schwarzenegger - a Kennedy wannabe that helped ruin California. Should anyone really follow political advice from him?

[ComputerGeek25]

Funny.....

And the same thing can be said about extreme left wing Democrats.

[_Abyssinia]

Schwarzenegger had a 17% approval rating.

Arnold supports gay 'marriage.' He raised taxes a number of times. He signed many regulations to stifle businesses. He trumpeted AB 32, California’s greenhouse gas law.
Enough said.

Some people will call anyone who believes in traditional values and small government 'extreme right wing.'

[ComputerGeek25]

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

Schwarzenegger had a 17% approval rating.

Arnold supports gay 'marriage.' He raised taxes a number of times. He signed many regulations to stifle businesses. He trumpeted AB 32, California’s greenhouse gas law.
Enough said.

Schwarzenegger is a RINO, so no wonder other Republicans/Conservatives didn't like him.

[thyrodandstaff]

What is a RINO?

[Jerry Miah]

Originally Posted by thyrodandstaff

What is a RINO?

"Republican In Name Only", the term used by the right wing Republicans to slam any moderate Republican who doesn't toe their line of extremist policies.

[Fluffykitty]

Originally Posted by thyrodandstaff

What is a RINO?

"Republican In Name Only"

[Luigi Daniele]

Most definitely a RINO.

[exoflare]

I thought we weren't allowed to have political messages in our signatures, never mind ones that are outright falsehoods. Has this rule recently changed and I just wasn't aware of it?

[Baer]

I feel like all the people in this thread calling him a RINO pretty much have proven his point to be true.

[Rich Olszewski]

Originally Posted by Jerry Miah

"Republican In Name Only", the term used by the right wing Republicans to slam any moderate Republican who doesn't toe their line of extremist policies.

Yes; matched only by the uncharitable "CINO," referring to Catholics who don't toe the conservative line.

[ComputerGeek25]

Originally Posted by Jerry Miah

"Republican In Name Only", the term used by the right wing Republicans to slam any moderate Republican who doesn't toe their line of extremist policies.

[_Abyssinia]

Originally Posted by Rich Olszewski

Yes; matched only by the uncharitable "CINO," referring to Catholics who don't toe the conservative line.

You do not understand the meaning of CINO. A CINO is somebody who calls themselves a Catholic but does not know a lot of Church teaching and does not go frequently to Church. It may also be used to describe those Catholics who support things in opposition to the faith.

Bishop Jose Oliveros called those CINO's who would vote for the RH bill in the Philippines:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/7923/rh...ly-says-bishop

[Michael C]

I thought when Arnold first ran he would be a good leader since he had his own money and could tell those looking out for their own interests to take a walk.

I underestimated the lure of power and authority. Afterall that's what it seems to be all about.

He was horrible.