Californian Republicans Want Ahnold Out And Gibson In!

[Videoskooter]

Activists for the Californian Republicans have started an on-line petition to convince Mel Gibson to be a candidate for the position of Governor.

Present Governator Schwarzenegger has lost their support because he is behaving like somebody who just wants to return to Hollywood.

One problem: Mel Gibson does not show interest for a political carreer.

So the activists are trying to persuade him.

[paul]

Warning! Warning! Paul is about to get political here 8)
The deal behind the move to get Mel to run and Arnie out is that the promoters don't think Arni is right wing enough. Arni to his credit supported Stem Cell research along with a couple of other issues that the wingnuts here don't support. He still sucks as a governor anyway and the voters rejected all of he recent ballot propositions.
For the wingnuts though, if ya don't walk in lockstep with zi republican pahrti, you aren't really one of "them." Mel seems more inline to them. They really loved that "Passion Of The Christ" movie. If I'm not mistaken, I also heard Mel was thinking of setting up some christian institute or think tank. I'm sure the repug christians in Cali shot a wad once they heard that.
Now on the pragmatic side, the wingnuts know the only way to get a republican elected in Cali is to get a celebrity. You guys can put 2+2 together.
On the other side, there are persistent rumors that Warren Beatty, the politically polar opposite of Mel and Arni might run. Stay tuned...

[Videoskooter]

Paul, what always amazes me about America is that you need a lot of power or money or status to run for office and to be elected.

In Belgium, everybody and I mean everybody can be elected for a top function as long as you can convince da people.

Even I am asked by my party to run for office in next year's local elections And for the general election of 2008, they wanna put me on the list for the Senate :o

Can u imagine? A Senator on the board here :lol:

BTW, I just know you wanna support Mel:

http://www.melgibsonforgovernor.com/

[paul]

Well, I'd be honored to actually know (at least through the net :lol: ) a disco loving senator. I wish ya luck. You seem like a fiscally conservative, socially liberal man. I can live with that.
As for the states and what it takes to run, I hope this dispels in some ways some misconception that we are socialist. Public financing is virtually nonexistent. There are matching funds available from the government but you still gotta raise your own and I'm sure there are still limits. Ya gotta have bucks or know backers with deep pockets to run here. Running ads on radio and TV is expensive. Add to that flyers, travelling to various parts to kiss babies and maintaining staff aint cheap.
How is it in Belgium? Does the government assist?

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by paul

How is it in Belgium? Does the government assist?

Starting up a new party is financially difficult but when you're elected in parliament you get a "dotatie". That's a big financial donation (=taxmoney) to cover your expenses. Many parties use that money to pay their staff and for ads in the next election-campaign. Naturally I also pay contributions to my party and a lot of companies donate also.

The "Dotatie" can also be a party's weakness. The fascist party "Vlaams Belang" (Flemish interest) can not be beaten until' now during the elections (they have 1 million voters out of 1,5 million Flemish) so now the other parties are trying to break them by bringing 'em to court. If convicted they will lose that money and they'll be weaker financially.

Just like they did with Al Capone and the American Rico laws!