Arnold Schwarzenegger says recall debacle has sunk California GOP from box office flop to 'direct-to-video'


"California Republicans thought they found a unifying rallying cry in the recall attempt against Gov. Gavin Newsom," the Los Angeles Times reports. "Instead, the campaign exposed — and even worsened — some of the long-standing clashes between the establishment and grass-roots base, while leaving unsettled the question of how the party can stop its losing streak in the state."
Nearly 64 percent of Californians voted to keep Newsom (D) in office. Among the candidates that would have replaced him, the great establishment hope, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, came in third, with 8.6 percent of the vote. Conservative talk radio host Larry Elders got 47 percent, according to incomplete results on Friday.
California GOP chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson looked on the bright side, pointing to an influx of volunteers, for example. "In my career, I've learned a lot more from my losses than I have from my wins," she told the Times. "This is a great opportunity for us to build." But right now it's a house divided, with the conservatives and moderates both arguing that they have the best shot at making the California Republican Party relevant again.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The state's last Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger — who won unseated a Democrat in the last recall election — is on the moderate-or-die end, arguing that Republicans need to get in better sync with California views on climate change, health care, and the pandemic. In 2007, Schwarzenegger warned his party that "in movie terms, we are dying at the box office." On Wednesday, the Times notes, he downgraded his assessment: "It's now direct-to-video."
Aaron Park, a blogger and longtime California GOP activist, said he's tired of moderates blaming his fellow conservatives for the party's losses. "You're trying to run against a Democrat as a 'Democrat Lite,'" he said. "If people are given the choice between Budweiser and Bud Lite, people are going to drink Budweiser."
Bud Light has been the top-selling beer in the U.S. for years.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Mermaiding: the underwater subculture on the rise
Under the Radar Cosplay meets fitness in an escapist fin-omenon that's making waves around the world
-
Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieve
IN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters
-
8 hotels with ace tennis courts
The Week Recommends Bring your A game
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Trump arms National Guard in DC, threatens other cities
speed read His next targets are Chicago, New York and Baltimore
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago