Thompson backed by key conservative

The Mercury News ^ | 10/31/07 | Steven Harmon

[W04Man]

Thompson backed by key conservative
By Steven Harmon
Mercury News Sacramento Bureau
Article Launched: 10/31/2007 01:38:35 AM PDT

SACRAMENTO - Presidential candidate Fred Thompson, hoping to appeal to Republican grass roots activists, on Tuesday named state Sen. Tom McClintock - a darling of the state's conservatives - to chair his California campaign.

It was his first campaign appearance in California since announcing in June his candidacy on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and it came just a few days after a poll showed him badly trailing former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani among the state's GOP voters.

Referring to the battles he fought as a senator from Tennessee from 1994-2002, he listed tax cuts, balanced budgets, welfare reform and "conservative, common sense judges" as issues that defined him - and that would ultimately appeal to California Republicans.

"That's what I was yesterday, that's who I am today, and that's who I will be tomorrow," Thompson said in what has become a campaign mantra. "We in our party need to remember what's been good for our country, but also what's been successful for our party."

[W04Man]

[Revelation 911]

so - is mcclintlock now voting for me ?

[RogerFGay]

Thompson backed by key conservative ... state Sen. Tom McClintock

who?

[mmichaels1970]

California State Senator Tom McClintock was one of the key members in the campaign to recall Gov. Gray Davis. He was a leading candidate for the Republican Gov nomination before he was beat out by the more left-leaning Arnold Schwarzenegger. Considered a stalwart conservative, at least by California standards.

[W04Man]

http://republican.sen.ca.gov/web/mcclintock/

McClintock was re-elected to the California Senate in 2004, winning 61% of the vote.

[mmichaels1970]

so - is mcclintlock now voting for me ?

I'd assume not.

[Pistolshot]

In the who's who of Conservatives in the state of California, Sen. Tom McClintock is the man to have on your side.

His numerous contacts in the state and throughout the conservatives in Hollywood(yes, Virginia, there are conservatives who are actors), will bring in a LOT of cash flow into the campaign. Also, McClintock is an exceptional speaker and one who can convey Freds message to the state and is one heck of an organizer.

[trisham]

bump!

[OCCASparky]

Damn smart move if you ask me. It’s a shame Tom doesn’t get more traction in Sacramento—many of his ideas are excellent ones, particularly when it comes to immigration and spending.

[AuntB]

Maybe McClintock isn’t the ‘conservative’ some thought he was. What do you think of this?

[Carry_Okie]

Ignorance.

[deport]

Intelligence.........

[mmichaels1970]

Speculation with no supporting facts provided.

[papasmurf]

Tom McClintock has been a valued Conservative public servant since he was 23 years old. A State Congressman at 28. Winning a State Senator seat with a 22% margin.

He was back stabbed by the White House supporting Schwartzenrino is the Gov race.

That’s who Tom McClintock is.

[MeanWestTexan]

McClintok took down Gray Davis.

He’s the leading conservative in California.

[RogerFGay]

Why was there WH opposition to Arnold?

[mmichaels1970]

I believe McClintock has a good conservative stance on illegal immigration. He even cites Rep. Hunter when he states:

They can start by expediting completion of the 854 miles of the border fence that Congress authorized last October, and that the Bush administration has dawdled on ever since. According to Congressman Duncan Hunter, who coauthored the “Secure Fence Act,” just ten miles of security fencing in San Diego reduced the county’s crime rate dramatically. Imagine what 854 miles would do.

Second, hundreds of armed incursions by Mexican military units in support of drug runners have been documented in recent years, and beefing up our military presence on the border is certainly warranted. Even the limited deployment of a few hundred unarmed National Guard troops last year has had a significant impact on those sections patrolled.

Third, the government must at least demonstrate a determined, sustained effort to deport those illegal aliens it actually encounters through law enforcement or social service agencies. No immigration law is going to be taken seriously if an illegal alien can receive government-funded benefits while the government cheerfully ignores the fact that he is not legally entitled to be here in the first place.

Fourth, sanctions against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants need to be just as rigorously enforced as all of our other labor laws. There is no excuse for those who would shortchange American citizens and legal immigrants in order to employ those who violate our nation’s sovereignty. If our state and federal labor agencies can audit every scrap of employment minutia down to lunch and bathroom breaks, they should certainly be able to determine the legal residency requirements that were supposed to be the cornerstone of the 1986 immigration act.

[papasmurf]

I would imagine, though I have no knowledge of it, it was due to Tom’s opposition to the Admin’s fiscal irresponsibility.

[RogerFGay]

I thought my consulting on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign was what unseated Gray Davis. “I’m for California” (that was mine).

[mmichaels1970]

Why was there WH opposition to Arnold?

I believe there wasn't. The WH supported Arnold because they believed his more liberal leanings made him more electable. Kind of the same type of mentality that is being employed for the Mayor Rudy.