Could Arnold pick the next Republican presidential candidate? | Thread profile

It looks like the CA primary is going to be moved up to February. Suppose Arnold is thinking: Hey, I can never be president, but I can influence who the Republican nominee is. Heck, I might even be able to make sure that nominee wins in the general election. Questions: 1. Could he do this (ie, does he have enough pull to succeed if he wanted to)? I think so. He's wildly popular...

Arnold has been decrying partisanship a great deal lately, though, and this kind of move would disgust a lot of Californians. He might be able to pull it off if he endorses a Democrat and talks about the Unity ticket, but that would more likely make him sound crazy and impractical.

He's never been apologetic about being a Republican. And remember, he can't run for another term as governor.

But endorsing a Republican Presidential candidate would kind of make him sound hypocritical about wanting politicians to work toward the same goals, regardless of official affiliation. And people have been making a lot of noise about him wanting to run for the Senate in 2010. Pissing off Californians, even this far away from a potential bid, would not be a great plan.

Quote: Originally Posted by Captain Carrot But endorsing a Republican Presidential candidate would kind of make him sound hypocritical about wanting politicians to work toward the same goals, regardless of official affiliation. Why? I mean, some Pub frontrunners are likelier to do that than others, right? What would be ...

Quote: Originally Posted by Captain Carrot But endorsing a Republican Presidential candidate would kind of make him sound hypocritical about wanting politicians to work toward the same goals, regardless of official affiliation. And people have been making a lot of noise about him wanting to run for the Senate in 2010. Pissing off Californians, even ...

Quote: Originally Posted by Captain Carrot Arnold has been decrying partisanship a great deal lately, though, and this kind of move would disgust a lot of Californians. Just because he's "decrying partisanship" doesn't mean he's stopped being a Republican. Why doesn't he have as much right as any other prominent Pub to endorse a ...

Quote: Originally Posted by John Mace He's never been apologetic about being a Republican. And remember, he can't run for another term as governor. What are his options for the Senate or the House? I don't really know how these things work eligibilty wise (I know he can't be President). Still, a remarkable man, and a frigging ...

Quote: Originally Posted by Struan What are his options for the Senate or the House? I don't really know how these things work eligibilty wise (I know he can't be President). Still, a remarkable man, and a frigging remarkable career so far. The presidency is the only federal office constitutionally restricted to native-born ...