McClintock Key to Democratic Victory in California

Intellectual Conservative.com ^ | 9/2/3 | Bob Chandra

[socal_parrot]

A Democratic plot to boost Tom McClintock’s candidacy at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s expense has recently come to light.

On paper, the recall election should be a cakewalk for California Republicans. A cursory analysis reveals a governor with an approval rating below Richard Nixon at his low point. The only serious Democrat candidate is the state’s uninspiring lieutenant governor, Cruz Bustamante, who unquestioningly followed Governor Davis through his mishaps with the budget and energy crisis. It should be a breeze for Republicans, right? Think again. Democrats are euphoric over Tom McClintock’s intransigence in continuing his long-shot bid for governor. This allows Democrats to divide and conquer their way into office. Democrats are attempting to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and Tom McClintock is an essential part of their game plan.

For starters, Democrats know McClintock cannot win. They know that he has ran for statewide office twice before and lost both times. McClintock’s problem is not so much that he’s unknown but that Californians know about him and have rejected his candidacy time and again. Knowing this, a Democrat plot to boost McClintock’s candidacy at Schwarzenegger’s expense has already surfaced. According to the Sacramento Bee’s Daniel Weintraub, “Ever since Cruz Bustamante entered the race, it's been assumed that California's Indian tribes were going to pool their money and do independent expenditures on his behalf, expensive ads that get around the $21,000 limit on contributions. Now I am hearing rumblings that the Indians might think about helping Cruz in a more creative way as well. If they spent, say, $4 million on behalf of state Sen. Tom McClintock, the most conservative Republican in the race, they might pump McClintock's numbers up while hurting Arnold and not harming Cruz a bit. Remember, Cruz needs a split GOP vote to win. That would be one way to get it.” The reliably Democratic Indian tribes, loyal to Bustamante, would essentially throw their weight behind McClintock to chip away at the support of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the GOP front-runner. The Democrat strategy with regard to Tom McClintock is: “If you know you can beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

McClintock is unfazed by this conniving scheme and is more than happy to play along. His actions suggest that he’s willing to make allies with loyal Democratic groups under the logic, the enemy of my enemy (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is my friend. On August 28th, McClintock and Bustamante went together before the California Nations Indian Gaming Association to pledge their support. Needless to say, money will follow. Whether McClintock knows it or not, he’s being used by the Left. If Democrat allies can keep McClintock in the game, they can put a cap on Arnold’s support. A recent Los Angeles Times poll shows Bustamante with 35% of the vote and McClintock with 12%. The poll indicates that McClintock will lose decisively but more importantly, his vote will ensure that GOP front-runner Schwarzenegger loses as well.

It doesn’t have to be this way. McClintock could see the light and do what’s best for the party – as Bill Simon did by bowing out of the race. Other than his new Democratic support, the picture continues to grow bleaker for McClintock. The Washington Post and Sacramento Bee are reporting that there will be a record turnout for the recall election. This invalidates the early calculus by McClintock supporters - that in a low turnout election, grassroots could carry the day. Further, the base is growing more familiar with Schwarzenegger’s conservatism – Arnold came out against partial-birth abortion, against gay marriage, and for a constitutional spending cap.

There comes a time when personal ambition must be set aside and self-affirming but false justifications for one’s candidacy need to be reexamined. If McClintock stays in the California Senate, and assuming Arnold wins the governorship, he and Arnold could play the good-cop/bad-cop routine to perfection, mirroring President Bush and Tom Delay’s efforts at the national level. Additionally, McClintock may be well positioned to challenge Barbara Boxer in next year’s US Senate race. However, if McClintock persists with his spoiler campaign and throws the election to Bustamante, it is doubtful he will have any political capital for a future race.

But assuming things stay the way they are, with McClintock’s help, Bustamante and the Democrats may well pull off an upset of a lifetime on Election Day.

[Cultural Jihad]

Nope. I support the Republican in the race, Tom McClintock.

Supposedly, the good people of Tennessee are getting California ballots, thanks to Davis. We are well able to handle our own self-governance affairs without any outsider busy-body's help, thank you.

[fieldmarshaldj]

So apparently is telling the truth on liberal RINOs. Can't have that now.

[montag813]

VIVA AZTLAN!

VOTE TOM McCLINTON 2003

[jmstein7]

Okay. . . well, let's agree on this -- most *rational* GOP folk would prefer a Conservative or a RINO to an actual, liberal Dem. Those who stake out the "McClintock or NOBODY" position are just nuts -- as Dems know, winning is everything. The bottom line is -- TMC or AS -- we want to evict the Democrats from the Governor's mansion. That was the whole point of the recall.

So, I propose this:

Wait and watch the polls in the coming weeks. At some point, a trend will develop favoring Arnold or McClintock. At that drop dead date -- we can form some consensus on what that date will be -- the underdog's camp, be it Arnold OR McClintock, should unite behind the frontrunner.

Why? Because it gives both sides the chance to prove all the propositions that litter this thread. At some point, rational Republicans understand that it is better to win and kick the opposition party out than to be right but out of power yourself. That's political reality. Letting Davis survive or Bustamante win has, astute observers will know, ramifications beyond the boarders of California. The national ammo the Dems would get from a win would be deadly. Then the media will, of course, frame it as a referendum on Bush. The consequences of a loss for the national GOP are unthinkable. Egg everywhere.

So, for now we can sit on the sidelines and observe. . . but at some point, we have to unite to win.

[A CA Guy]

I'll tell you that more than likely Arnold wins.
If they are lucky the Democrats best new buddy McClintock could steal the election for Bustamante (ending McClintock's future in California politics).

I guarantee you McNader can't come close to winning this and everybody knows it, so you are exercising your right to be stubborn and contrary to existing facts.

[FairOpinion]

Don't let annoying people get to you -- that is their tactics: they want to irritate and intimidate those who don't agree with them, by whatever means.

That only shows that they know they lost the argument.

They only hurt their own cause by being so offensive.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Thanks for the concern. My family's there. I won't let my niece and nephew suffer liberalism whether it comes from a 'Rat or their RINO counterparts. Vote McClintock, the ONLY Republican in the race ! ;-)

[jmstein7]

Okay. . . well, let's agree on this -- most *rational* GOP folk would prefer a Conservative or a RINO to an actual, liberal Dem. Those who stake out the "McClintock or NOBODY" position are just nuts -- as Dems know, winning is everything. The bottom line is -- TMC or AS -- we want to evict the Democrats from the Governor's mansion. That was the whole point of the recall.

So, I propose this:

Wait and watch the polls in the coming weeks. At some point, a trend will develop favoring Arnold or McClintock. At that drop dead date -- we can form some consensus on what that date will be -- the underdog's camp, be it Arnold OR McClintock, should unite behind the frontrunner.

Why? Because it gives both sides the chance to prove all the propositions that litter this thread. At some point, rational Republicans understand that it is better to win and kick the opposition party out than to be right but out of power yourself. That's political reality. Letting Davis survive or Bustamante win has, astute observers will know, ramifications beyond the boarders of California. The national ammo the Dems would get from a win would be deadly. Then the media will, of course, frame it as a referendum on Bush. The consequences of a loss for the national GOP are unthinkable. Egg everywhere.

So, for now we can sit on the sidelines and observe. . . but at some point, we have to unite to win.

[alwaysconservative]

And my contributions to Candidate Bush in 2000 were followed only by my contributions to Nader.

LOL! This reminded me that in 2000, if I thought someone was a die-hard Democrat, I just gushed about how wonderful Nader was, how principled, how courageous, blah, blah. A couple of people told me that I helped them make up their minds and vote Nader (instead of Gore). Just doing my part, hee, hee! Makes you kind of wonder though, doesn't it, when you see such unbridled hostility and name-calling displayed against Arnold supporters?

[Reagan Man]

>>>The nerve of you to say that Arnold isn't a Republican because he doesn't meet your standards.

What do you mean?!

Arnold doesn't meet the standards of the Republican Party. The GOP is the pro-life party. The GOP is the home for the conservative movement in America. The GOP strongly supports the 2nd amendment. Arnold doesn't support any of these bedrock GOP standards. The GOP also supports supply-side economics, tax cuts and spending cuts. Arnold won't even release his economic recovery plan for California, until after the elction. That isn't the sign of a true blue Republican. Arnold also opposed the impeachemnt of Bill Clinton.

And need I remind you where FReepers stand on certain bedrock conservative issues.

80% of FReepers support the end to Roe v Wade.

85% of FReepers oppose extending the assault weapons ban.

93% of FReepers support reform of the US tax code.

94% of FReepers want tougher immigration efforts.

And FReepers overwhelmingly supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

Arnold hasn't shown he sides with FReepers on any of these issue. Even Arnold's opinions on immigration is questionable. Arnold is a liberal RINO. Stop surrendering your principles for a liberal and a RINO.

[habs4ever]

Tommy hopes you'll remember him for all your fleet leasing needs in '05....come see him at Thousand Oaks Ford and Truck where the former couldawouldabutallthemRINOSstoppedhim candidate will beginning a new chapter in his life after no one will answer his phone calls come Oct10.Bring the kids too and enjoy the free balloons and coffee on Saturdays!

[A Broken Glass Republican]

Thank you. Well said.

[Tempest]

"I have decided I am in good company with the rest of the RINO's on here and with George Schultz, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Michael Medved, Newt, David Drier and a host of others."

I'm listening to John and Ken now and there coming out in support of Arnold. It's just SOOOOO funny listening to the McClintock cultist come on just to get a good dose of reality dropped on them.

I'm afraid that McClintock supporters are going to break out the pitchforks for John and Ken next. Just like they've been doing to any commentator that supports Arnold.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Do you know what RINO stands for?

The way you dorks define it, somewhere between 85% and 95% of people who actually cast GOP votes.

[fieldmarshaldj]

What projection ! You guys are a stitch.

[KellyAdmirer]

You understand. I am happy to see that. Some others here do not, but that is ok, it is not necessary that they do. :)

[jmstein7]

Thanks

[Cultural Jihad]

I have said that I don't think McClintock hurts Arnold all that much, yeah, there's drain there but it's at the marginal levels and could be considered decisive if the election (between Bustamante and Arnold) were exceedingly close.

You can't be serious. This is not some kind of primary election. The one with the most votes wins, period. Bustamante will get a lion's share of the Democratic votes while the Republicans will be split 4 to 1 or at most 2 to 1 for Arnold and McClintock. Since there are 44% registered Democrats to 35% registered Republicans, a split in the GOP will hand the election to Bustamante.

[A CA Guy]

That is another part of this problem CJ, Tom is out of his job with term limits and losing this race could put him out of a job for some time anyway which I think is fueling this extended attempt at winning this job.

[EllaMinnow]

I just heard that the California Assembly panel passed licenses for illegals today.
Maybe this will wake up some McClintockites. AS has sworn to veto this as well as TM - it seems only sensible to vote for the one most likely to win.
Because Cruz will LOVE this new law.