Guest Contributor
Joe Armendariz

Integrity or Celebrity?
The so-called "unity-pledge/pact"
[Joe Armendariz] 9/11/03

Recently, we've been hearing a lot about the need for "unity" among California Republicans -- so much, in fact, that it's time to figure out exactly what everyone's been talking about. So let's be clear.

"Unity" does not require uniformity or unanimity. Disagreement within a political party isn't a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength. And the only constructive debate going on in the country today is inside the Republican Party. Debating over how much or how little political bribery money is going into our candidate's campaign account isn't a debate, it is a disgrace.

That Republicans are having an honest debate over the future of California and what it means to be a good citizen, parent, teacher, business-owner, is something we can and should all be proud of, not embarrassed at or frustrated by. Remember, the only thing that unites the Democrats in this state is the need to protect the status quo. And if that is what it means to be "united," I want nothing to do with it. After all, the purpose of a Great Party isn't to just beat the other Party, it is to offer the people superior leadership.

Immediately after learning of Arnold's candidacy, enlightened Republican leaders urged McClintock to get out of the race, because his views were too conservative for California. Arnold, a political neophyte, was just what the doctor ordered, we were told. He is pro-choice (the holy grail for some California Republicans) and so he would easily appeal to women. He was pro-gay and so he would obviously appeal to the gay community. He was pro-gun control and so he would immediately appeal to Democrat women, inner-city blacks, independents and even the media elite. He is pro-environment, and he even proved it by stating his absolute opposition to new offshore oil development. That would clearly resonate with young voters, went the conventional wisdom.

Now we learn Arnold is trailing Bustamante among women by 13 points, and in San Francisco, which is heavily gay, he's behind by 31 points. His squishy gun-control views have earned him a 10 point lead among Independents, but African-Americans still prefer Bustamante by 42 points -- even though, judging from the Los Angeles mayoral race between Antonio Villairagosa and James Hahn --black voters aren't particularly prone to vote for Latino candidates. And Arnold, in spite of his green views, is currently losing to Bustamante among voters between 18 and 29, and even more among voters age 30 to 39.

And finally, despite all Arnold's progressive (or, as my enlightened Republican friends characterize them, "centrist") views, the media elite has so far demonstrated a bias for Bustamante that is so blatant that even the most obtuse observers have taken note. Coverage of Arnold has been ruthless so far.

So what does all this mean? Perhaps it means that we should be careful what we wish for. And also, just maybe, we should all consider the possibility that when picking our future leaders, integrity should trump celebrity.

Joe Armendariz is Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Industrial Association and the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association.