Taking down Arnold

Some members of California's GOP aim to do just that:

Republican activists disenchanted with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that they will try to strip the governor of the party's endorsement unless he fires his new chief of staff, Democrat Susan P. Kennedy.

Restive Republicans said they would rally conservatives behind a resolution, to be offered at the state GOP convention in San Jose next month, that may give Schwarzenegger an ultimatum: Dump Kennedy by March 15 or the party will withdraw its backing of his reelection bid.

Drafts of the resolution are circulating, and proponents of the idea are planning to meet in Palm Springs this weekend to discuss strategy.

First off, this isn't going to happen. Arnold is still the Republican's best shot to maintain the governorship of California. Without him, they may as well pack up and go home in 2006.

Some polls suggest that the appointment state Republicans hate most may have buoyed his approval ratings somewhat, although I'm personally not so sure. Falling out of the spotlight as a man who wants to take on teachers, firefighters, and the like I think has helped him more. But this move especially is an attempt to get Arnold to appeal to the center and left in a largely liberal leaning state. And if he caves in to party demands, he'll be viewed by the voting majority as a puppet of the right, something that would actually turn off a majority of voters. It'd be akin to political suicide.

The party would also miss out on his fundraising ability both here in the state and nationwide. While Arnold may not be the most liked Republican, he still holds a lot of power and a lot of draw. And, again, the Republicans will need all the help they can get to maintain election advantages in the upcoming election.

Having said that, I hope they're very successful, and I encourage more intraparty squabbles that will benefit Democrats in the future.