Only an "Issues Offensive" Can Make Schwarzenegger Talk Issues.

Obviously "liberal Republican" Schwarzenegger's strategy is to remain silent, at least for the forseeable future. He opportunistically wants to ride Hollywood fame into a political office. His campaign states openly that positions on issues don't matter to them.

Only by taking the offensive in terms of public policy can the Democratic Party effectively take on his candidacy, and shatter his plans to "plea the fifth" with voters.

Soon, Gov. Davis will be sent AB 205, which will vastly expand the rights and responsibilities of domestic partnerships in this state. Can Schwarzenegger even hope to remain silent on the cardinal issue of recognizing same sex relationships? I don't think so. He'll be pressured on his right flank to condemn this legislation. If he failed to do so, there would indeed be a rebellion.

Democrats in the legislature could choose to advance SB 2, which would create a mandated, employer-funded system of health insurance which would essentially create a prototype of universal health care in this state. Gov. Davis could seize the initiative, perhaps against his conservative political instincts, and sign this bill. Would Schwarzenegger attack the provision of health insurance for the working poor? This would burst his fuzzy, "for the children" facade. If he didn't criticize it, the GOP would abandon him en masse.

In short, it's going to take bold actions that simultaneous inspire progressive voters, labor and communities of color, and also serve to radically polarize the electorate between left and right. We cannot allow a middle ground to stand on. This would be a "positive polarization" because demographically and otherwise, in a straight-up "left vs. right" race that is understood as such, the right will lose.

The state Democratic Party cannot afford to wait on these matters.