Is anyone surprised that 'Ahnold' won his election in a heavily Democratic state?

[Toots]

Why do you think that happened? Has he actually been good for California? Was the Democratic candidate just that terrible? I realize Ahnold is a very likable guy but he still pushes Republican ideas and uses their tactics. Call me stupid but I just don't get it....

[Richardo]

1. He got more bipartisan since he got his ass handed to him in 2004

When each one of his Propositions was rejected.

[Hugin]

2. The Democratic Legislature in CA made him look good.

After the defeat of his stupid initiatives he went limp.

He'll be back in Repub form eventually... So, he bears watching.

[Missy M]

3. I'm surprised Arnold could win anything.....

and always have been.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. I'm from there and all my family still lives there

What they've told me was he "promised" to be more liberal. No, I'm not kidding you. Also, there are many more conservatives in Cali than you might think.

[Atman]

5. I think people respected that he seemed to listen to his "thumping"

last time.

I have to admit, I respect a wee tad more because of it. Unlike the GOP in Washington, who just cramming shit down our throats which was clearly against the will of the people, Arnold tried, got bitch-slapped at the polls, and learned from it.

Just a guess...what do I know? my fucking state re-elected Lieberbush.

.

[progressoid]

6. He migrated to the center.

[bullimiami]

7. i dont get it and i dont trust the voting machines.

im just hopeful that the new sos in ca is a democrat.

[City Lights]

8. I don't get it either.

And I think he's about as likable as bush. Both make my skin crawl. :puke:

[mulsh]

9. arnold didn't win...

angeides lost. to frame it like the cable blowhards are descibing another election.

[Lucky Luciano]

10. He is not cut from the same mold as the neo-cons.

He is an (R) for sure, but he does have a lot of progressive stances and is very socially liberal and very green. He was totally rebuffed in 2005 for trying to push through some legislation that Californians universally hated. He was met with a huge political defeat. He regrouped by sending olive branches across to the dems whom he had previously called girlie-men. They actually worked together to push through some legislation that Californians like.

Seems mroe like an old school republican and shockingly less thuggy.

There are some dark things about him too I am sure, but you were asking about the positives that Californians would want to see in order to overlook the shortcomings.

[roody]

13. He popularized the Hummer. He vetoed

a good health care bill. Has he ever done anything for anyone other than himself?

[Lucky Luciano]

14. Never said he was an angel.

[NewJeffCT]

11. Arnold ran past the center to maybe center-left

At least that was the impression I got from 3,000 miles away. I saw him rejecting national Republican policy on global warming, and actually (gasp) learning from his mistakes.

Yup, Tuesday was a big day for those conservatives.

[roody]

12. Too many people like his crappy movies?

[DUgosh]

19. Leno said last nite

California actually voted for , No more Arnuld movies

[roody]

20. Leno, Arnold's pimp, that is.

[Coexist]

15. angelides was sort of lackluster.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. he made an about turn in his political views. he is an opportunist.

and as soon as he saw bush's popularity and policy failing..he moved away from it all.

[crispini]

17. Democrats are independent thinkers.

Ds are less likely to do straight party vote. I really think if we could take a survey that Ds are more likely to vote for an R than vice versa. I'm not counting DU'ers who are the hardcore faithful -- although I will admit that I, myself, have voted for an R from time to time. o.O

[Dob Bole]

18. Populism works.

Listen to the people! After losing last year, he did. For the same reason, the Republican governors of Alabama and Georgia won re-election. Bob Riley proposed a progressive tax plan unpopular with Republicans, and Sonny Perdue fully got rid of the Confederate Battle Flag and gave every teacher 100 bucks to buy school supplies with. Both governors have had tax-free holidays during the year for buying clothes and school supplies.

I voted against Perdue anyway, because of the R by his name, but I actually like Riley.