Welcome to Politics, Mr. Schwarzenegger

See, you can't just change your political ideology the way you step from one movie role to the next and not expect people to be upset with you.

Republican activists disenchanted with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that they will try to strip the governor of the party's endorsement unless he fires his new chief of staff, Democrat Susan P. Kennedy.

Restive Republicans said they would rally conservatives behind a resolution, to be offered at the state GOP convention in San Jose next month, that may give Schwarzenegger an ultimatum: Dump Kennedy by March 15 or the party will withdraw its backing of his reelection bid.

Drafts of the resolution are circulating, and proponents of the idea are planning to meet in Palm Springs this weekend to discuss strategy.

The insurgent party members said they are attempting to mobilize support among gun owners, abortion opponents and other conservatives.

"We've gotten to the point where we've just had it with the guy," said Michael Schroeder, an attorney from Corona del Mar and a former chairman of the California Republican Party. "It's become clear that he's no longer pursuing a Republican agenda."

Steve Frank, a conservative activist from Simi Valley who is planning to attend the convention, said: "I know who he is today. I have no idea who he will be tomorrow.... And we need some predictability as to which Arnold Schwarzenegger is governor."

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the GOP mounted some third-party candidate like Jim Gilchrist and really sunk Arnold. He's run to the center, then right, then left. Now everybody can't stand him.

I do think it's time to increase the pressure on him from the Democratic end, though. The reason Arnold's "year of reform" turned into a sopping mess is because groups like the nurses, teachers and firefighters got on TV early and often in a variety of ways (ads, stunts, free media) and defined his agenda to the voters. There was no way for Arnold to climb out of that. If Angelides or Westly want the governor's mansion in November they ought to be doing the same thing. The cult of personality is powerful, and the move back to the left actually started to sway some independent voters, who didn't realize what a boondoggle and a bribe this infrastructure bond issue truly is.

You don't let your opponent off the hook. This is an election year. It's time to crank it up a notch.