to TRULY defeat the Republicans...

I don't know how this could be gone about, but with people like Arnold and McCain now standing as prominent Republicans, it makes one begin to realize that the truest way to defeat the right is the liberalization of the Republican Party. This is not to say that a party of Arnolds and McCains would be a reasonable alternative for leftists, but I think it would CREATE one. Example: With the Repugs skewed so far right right now, it forces Dems to the center. If the Repugs were closer to the center, I think the dynamic would be reversed with Dems skewing to the left and a strong third party to the far right that would do little other than undermining the Republicans.

There are two fronts: 1) As a simple matter of time, the Republican Party will move to the left on social issues. I often say this is the CLEAREST way to PROVE how wrong the right is-- all of the social values they uphold will unquestionably be seen as ignorant and repugnant by the vast majority of Americans in 10 or 20 years. 2) But the contrast to this is the growing corporate dominance in politics, forcing both parties (particularly Republicans) to the right in these matters.

Step 1 is defeating Bush. But what, if anything, can progressives do to speed up the liberalization of the Republican Party?

Arnold is more "liberal" on social issues than most Republicans but he is as much of a player in right wing politics as W. BTW, McCain is not a "Maverick" either. You are falling for media descriptions of Republicans and wishful thinking among college students.

McCain is a moderate. He is only "moderately" offensive in comparsion to our great leader.