Fund loves Arnold

John Fund offers Arnold the advice you would expect in his latest Opinion Journal piece, suggesting the Governor stand and fight for his ballot initiatives. He ends with the following:

As perilous as his political situation looks, Mr. Schwarzenegger overcame much longer odds in pulling off his 2003 recall victory by appealing directly to the people.

And the battle is worth having. Even if he lost one or more of the initiatives on the ballot this November it wouldn't be as damaging as losing the belief his core voters have that he is a strong leader who is fighting for what he says he believes in.

Uh, what recall election did Fund watch? Arnold was never really a longshot in 2003, but rather the odds on favorite.

The problem now that faces Arnold is not losing his "core voters," but the fact that he's lost the support of more than 60% of the state. "Core voters" aren't going to get Arnold elected again, and his support of a measure stopping political use of union dues will only bring out even more well-financed guns against him. It's big government intervention that most Republicans should frown on, but since it attacks the powers of the union, in this case it's alright.

One final thought. Arnold should do not what's best for himself politically, but rather what's best for the state in general. That would actually turn Arnold's numbers around.