[Dog Gone]

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.

It may be that McClintock wants to see if Arnold will fade or stumble bigtime. However, if Arnold doesn't, and McClintock stays in, then the above statement is undoubtedly true.

[edchambers]

It may be that McClintock wants to see if Arnold will fade or stumble bigtime.

This is important, I've seen several polls showing Arnold will win WITH Mclintock in the race.But if this ongoing smear campaign succeeds and Arnolds support disapears or worse he drops out we'll all be happy Mclintock is still in the race.It's obvious that either one would be a better governor than Davis or Bustemonte.It is also obvious that either one will be a serious blow to the Democratic Party at a time when they can least afford it.

[Political Junkie Too]

It may be that McClintock wants to see if Arnold will fade or stumble bigtime. However, if Arnold doesn't, and McClintock stays in, then the above statement is undoubtedly true.

If, and If. I agree with you. However, right now, I don't believe that there is harm in McClintock staying in the race if he will ultimately drop out at the end of September. I think that his staying in is insurance against dirty tricks against Schwarzenegger.

The impact of McClintock staying in a little bit longer is moot if one or the other drops out with enough time to create a wave of enthusiam. If McClintock were to drop out at the end of September, say, with a message of having stayed in to ensure that the issues that matter to average Californians got a fair debate amongst the candidates, and in feeling that that was accomplished he now supports Schwarzenegger to "do the right thing," that could boost the base in the final week. The News Media will have to cover it. They will be talking about McClintock, Schwarzenegger, and the California GOP. They will not be talking about Davis or Bustamante, at least not in depth.

In other words, one dropping out in the end will "suck the air out of the room" and the won't be talking about Davis and Bustamante, they'll be talking about Schwarzenegger/McClintock.

-PJ

[ApesForEvolution]

McClintock is playing chicken...sometimes people don't survive playing chicken.

I imagine Tom will bail out at the right time, after sufficiently holding Ahnold's feet to a conservative fire.

Let's face it...Tom holds Ahnold's cards.