Issa Issues Recall Ultimatum to Schwarzenegger, McClintock

Talon News ^ | September 24, 2003 | Jimmy Moore

[jonefab]

In a move that surprised pundits across the political spectrum, the primary financier of the recall election scheduled to take place in California on October 7, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), issued an ultimatum on Tuesday to the two leading Republican candidates. Issa called for one of the two candidates to drop out of the race or he would urge voters to vote against the recall of Democrat Gov. Gray Davis.

"As someone who some people call the godfather of the recall, nobody should be more determined to remove Gray Davis from office," said Issa, who dropped out of the race himself to allow a more prominent Republican to be supported in the recall election.

But Issa says that having two Republicans on the recall ballot is worse than keeping Davis as governor of California.

"If two major Republicans remain on the ballot, I'd advise you to vote 'no' on the recall," Issa declared.

Davis campaign spokesman Peter Ragone relished the opportunity to welcome the support of Issa with their efforts to defeat the recall.

"We're happy that Darrell Issa has come around and hope he joins us in voting 'No' on the recall," Ragone said. "We welcome him to the 'No on the Recall' campaign."

Issa, who doled out $1.6 million of his personal funds to help garner the signatures for the petition to recall Davis, believes either political newcomer Arnold Schwarzenegger or State Senator Tom McClintock should drop out of the race immediately to prevent a split of the Republican vote on Election Day.

"If there are two Republicans in this race when people cast their votes, there is an absolute guarantee that Cruz Bustamante will be the governor," Issa exclaimed.

Issa is concerned about Democrat Lt. Gov. Bustamante's fiscal policies and would rather see Davis remain in office than to have Bustamante elected governor.

Duf Sundheim, chairman of the California Republican Party, tends to agree with Issa that a split vote is worse than having Davis remain governor.

"I understand what [Issa is] trying to say," Sundheim said. "We can't come this far and throw it all away by having two candidates."

While Issa would like for McClintock to step aside for Schwarzenegger, McClintock remains steadfast about staying in the race. He has seen a recent surge in the polls, even as Schwarzenegger's numbers have been steady.

McClintock said he believes Schwarzenegger would be a moderate Republican in the mold of former California Gov. Pete Wilson, who he describes as "one of the worst ... in our state's history." McClintock said Schwarzenegger would likely raise taxes if he was elected governor.

In fact, Wilson is one of Schwarzenegger's chief campaign advisors. McClintock is also worried about the influence of Schwarzenegger's chief economic advisor, Warren Buffett, who last month advocated increasing property taxes in California.

"I am very concerned that those factors combined will mean a substantial tax increase under a Schwarzenegger administration," expressed McClintock.

When asked about the pressure he has received to drop out of the recall election, McClintock acknowledges that it is just a part of party politics.

"There's a certain herd instinct among pachyderms, and I think you are just watching that play out," he explained.

But, he is confident that the voters will make the right decision regarding who the right choice for governor will be on October 7.

"The voters are perfectly capable of sorting out those issues for themselves," McClintock added.

Interestingly, McClintock told his supporters in an e-mail that Ronald Reagan was also asked to get out of the 1966 gubernatorial race so that a more liberal candidate could be the party's nominee.

"Reagan declined. The rest is history," McClintock said in the e-mail. "Did Reagan stay in because of blind personal ambition? I think not! I believe Ronald Reagan felt it would be wrong to walk away from his principles and from those who believed as he did in those same principles."

McClintock received an endorsement on Tuesday from a former Republican presidential candidate and the president of American Values, Gary Bauer.

"The contrast between Schwarzenegger and McClintock could not be clearer," Bauer wrote in the endorsement. "One is a Tinsletown cultural liberal, the other a genuine Ronald Reagan, Golden State conservative. One has a clear vision for California, the other has rhetoric and platitudes. One has years of blockbuster experience on the 'silver screen,' the other has years of invaluable experience in the political arena dealing with California's problems and creating solutions for its citizens."

The Hollister Free Lance (CA) newspaper editors also recently threw their support behind McClintock.

"Sen. Tom McClintock ... is the fiscal conservative California desperately needs," they wrote in an editorial endorsing him in the recall election.

The endorsement continued, "[W]e believe his no-tax-increase pledge and plans to cut state spending make him the best candidate."

Schwarzenegger was portrayed by them as a candidate "who would need the leadership and charisma of a Ronald Reagan to be effective in Sacramento" but that he "falls short" of that criteria.

The newspaper editorial staff believes that McClintock would only need to capture 20 percent of the recall vote to become the next governor of California if the people vote to recall Davis.

"If [McClintock] does [become governor], he just might right an economic ship that is floundering and restore the luster which paved the way for California to be known as the Golden State," the newspaper editorial concluded.

Copyright © 2003 Talon News -- All rights reserved.

[RGSpincich]

The Hollister Free Lance (CA) newspaper...

Alright! I hear the El Sobrante Shopping News editorial staff is going for Arnold, though.

[Mo1]

"Reagan declined. The rest is history," McClintock said in the e-mail. "Did Reagan stay in because of blind personal ambition? I think not! I believe Ronald Reagan felt it would be wrong to walk away from his principles and from those who believed as he did in those same principles."

This is not the same .. with Reagan there was a primary to fight this battle out and see who would be on the ticket

[drc43]

"The contrast between Schwarzenegger and McClintock could not be clearer," Bauer wrote in the endorsement.

This little weasel should be given all the notice due a used kleenix after his endorsement of McCain over Bush.

[zencat]

I'm with Issa on this. If one of them doesn't get out, then it might be wise to vote 'no' on the recall. As sad as it is, I think Davis would be better than Bustamante. The point is that Republicans will suffer if this recall is unsuccessful. It will be played up nationally by the Dems as a failed attempt to overturn an election by the true will of the people.

Whoever is behind, should step down. That currently appears to be McClintock. At some point Tom should swallow his pride and do what's best for California and the Republican party.

[RGSpincich]

Issa seems to have changed his tune from when he made these comments on Monday. Yesterday Issa said he would endorse and campaign hard for one of the candidates if both were still in on Monday. He's not going to quit.

[martin_fierro]

I'm still waiting for the Castroville Artichoker to weigh in. THEN I'll know how to vote.

[pogo101]

Issa's made it clear in longer interviews in the past 24 hours, including at least one with KFI-L.A.'s Bill Handel, that he (Issa) currently sees McClintock as the one who should bow out. He was very clear about it.

So my sense is that Issa's just waiting to make sure that Arnold doesn't make some big boo-boo in the debate tonight. If Arnold doesn't, Issa's going to endorse Arnold by Thursday night.

[DoctorZIn]

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[kingu]

So my sense is that Issa's just waiting to make sure that Arnold doesn't make some big boo-boo in the debate tonight. If Arnold doesn't, Issa's going to endorse Arnold by Thursday night.

Issa said he would make an endorsement within 24 to 48 hours of the debates, giving time for one candidate or the other to do the right thing and bow out of the race. He, like most people, doesn't want to see Republicans feeding on Republicans. Our enemies are Davis and Bust-my-taxes.

[TERMINATTOR]

McClintock best choice in recall

[AMNZ]

Yeah, and of course that would mean that California was not as dumb as Floriduh.

[Barney Gumble]

Why is McClintock being urged to drop out? Last poll I saw he was only behind 25- 18%. Why not have Arnie drop out and let his supports vote for McClintok. The biggest problem is Arnie is liberal.

Many Republicans want to ignore the warning signs... even such conservatives as Sean Hannity seem to support Arnie and are willing to forgive his liberalistic tendancies. Where there is smoke, there is fire. Don't look or Arnie to cut any spending.

It's not like McClintok is polling 3%. Vote for the better guy, not the guy with the "R" that can win.

[Digger]

This will be resolved throughly by the weekend. If I don't hear AS pledging no new taxes, favoring the installing of prop 187, then no way did he earn my vote. Beside his all other liberalism might as well give it to the commies. Let them waller in this. In 3 years we all can have bumber stickers of (See why we voted McClintock)

[jonefab]

I don't live in Kaliforia and don't really care, if I did, I would vote for McClintock in a heart beat, but knowing that Mods and Conservatives can't get along, and mods will always vote for a Dem rather than a Conservative, I can see why the battle has reached the proportions that it has. At any rate, no matter who is elected, if its an R, than that person will have no political career left. (They would still have to deal with a far left legislature). Its like an Alcoholic, you have to reach the bottom before you can start making improvements, unless the bottom kills you! I'm just ashamed of my fellow FRpeers and would have never suspected that so many here would be willing to sell their principles for a hollow victory. Flame on, gotta go back to work.
jonefab

[Tunehead54]

What I find most fascinating - and largely unmentioned - is how the dimocrats kept EVERY other potential dim out of the race, their best chance for survival. Divide and conquer. Their sole strength. Sigh.

---

[A CA Guy]

Barney, you posted just what the Democrat party would pray conservatives would do in this election so Cruz Bustamante is elected.

There are two issues.
#1 Is McClintock going to be a man and get out since he can't win or:
#2 Is he going to forever end his future in Republican politics here in CA.

Don't doubt this could be McClintocks last campaign as a representative as a Republican.

[Sabertooth]

Issa didn't start the Recall petitions, and he doesn't speak for those who did, nor those who signed them.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice he forked over some money to help out, but it's not like he's ever been an elder statesman in CA politics.

Issa's soft on terror, too.

[A CA Guy]

Being supported by Tombots at this point since if the numbers were reversed with Arnold, I think he would have had the class to drop out long ago. But, Arnold isn't a career politician like McClintock, so he has less at stake here than McClintock who could have to find a real job fairly soon.

I also do see Tom's number being fabricated higher by local news services who would ALSO like to see the Republican vote split.

[A CA Guy]

Pretty much most of the bulk of Republicans and commentators on talk radio are telling Tom, "Thanks, now LEAVE or be the next Perot"!

What I said would happen is S!
Tom's is being the bridge burner for 2003.