McClintock's Fork in the Road

9-28-03 | me

[HighWheeler]

McClintock's heading into a hard decision this week.

Polls show McClintock with 18% of the vote, trialing far behind both Bustamante at 25%, and Arnold Schwarzenegger at 40%.

McClintock's voters are all strong Republicans, the strongest supporters being the Pro-Life voters. But in "KAL-li-FORN--ya", conservative's values are not well valued by most voters. Many conservatives live in the northern part of the state, and would probably like to become the state of "North California" if given half a chance. Uh, would you just draw a slice horizontally across the state a few miles north of S.F., if you don't mind? Hey, that's just how West Virginia was formed during the Civil War.

McClintock is approaching the fork in the road this week, and I think he should choose "The Road Not Taken" (a tribute of Robert Frost's timeless poem).

Not that McClintock would listen to me, but this fork in the road he's heading for could dramatically impact his political career.

If McClintock chooses the righhand fork, he stays in the race. With virtually no chance of winning, he risks alienating all the Rupubs who know that abortion is not a factor in this race to the majority of California voters, and putting Schwarzenegger at risk with a smaller margin over Cruz. BUT! If his choice to stay happens to cause Schwarzenegger to lose to the RAT, McClintock will be forever hated by all Republicans. This potential option, by his staying in the race, winds up being his political suicide.

There are ways that only Clinton, Davis, and the other RATS know about how they intend to torpedo Schwarzenegger this week to bring his numbers in line with Cruz.

If McClintock chooses the left fork, he drops out of the race and endorses Schwarzenegger. Sure he caves, but McClintock really has nothing to lose with this choice, and one HELL of a lot to gain.

McClintock won't win the overall race next week either way, but he can score huge points in graciousness, selflessness, and by assuredly changing the direction of California politics. Many of McClintock voters would side with Schwarzenegger next week, piling on to assure a strong victory for the Repubs.

McClintock could even cut a closed-door deal with Schwarzenegger this week to work in his cabinet. He would only do this if he is willing to swallow his ego. We have seen the disaster when a politician like Clinton would never subordinate his ego.

This could work, but only if McClintock truly thinks he is less important than both the Republican party and the Californians he won't get a chance to lead.

[Rabid Dog]

Or one could look at the poll from another perspective.

Tom and Bustamante are in a statistical dead heat. It is now "safe" to vote for Tom. Conservatives that have been hogtied behind Arnold can now vote with their conviction - not coercion.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

This entire "debate" is a classic example of the difference between being right, and dead right.

Is McClintock a more true conservative than Schwarzenegger? Probably yes. But what would you rather have - Bustamante as Governor or Arnold?

This is the worst time ever to "make a statement" about the Republican party, by throwing away your vote on McClintock.

Anyone remember Perot? Clinton was elected because of Republicans who voted on Perot instead of Bush Sr.

[The Old Hoosier]

If Tom comes in second after Arnold, you can take responsibility for getting a liberal elected over a conservative.

[HighWheeler]

Hi Cathryn, thought you might like some reading.

[The Old Hoosier]

Probably yes.

How about "Hell, no." People assume Arnold is conservative on some issues. I have yet to see him make a real promise that he will do anything conservative, on any issue, fiscal, economic or social.

Now that Arnold victory seems inevitable, the best course for conservatives is to vote McClintock and show Arnold that he'd better please the right if he wants to stay in office long.

[xm177e2]

If Tom comes in second after Arnold, you can take responsibility for getting a liberal elected over a conservative.

1) Do you really think that is likely to happen

2) Governor Schwarzenegger would probably have more effect on encouraging Californians to vote for Bush during the '04 election. So even if Tom could win, it could hurt Republicans in the long run.

[The Old Hoosier]

Bush won't win California either way. If Arnold fails as governor because he won't implement conservative reforms, then Bush really won't win California, and Arnold will be a huge liability.

OTOH, the one possible good result of an Arnold victory is that Darrell Issa may become emboldened to take on Barbara Boxer.

[tuckrdout]

Yes. I would rather the democrat get it than a liberal Republican! Arnold is no different than a democrat--he is republican in name only! If he wins he will infect the Republican party. Don't you remember "jumping" Jeffords? Did he help the Republican cause? No.

Only McClintock can get California out of the mess it is in, because only conservative actions can get the state out of the socialist/liberal mess the Dems have made it!

[RGSpincich]

can now vote with their conviction - not coercion.

Thank you.

ARNOLD

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

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I have yet to see him make a real promise that he will do anything conservative, on any issue, fiscal, economic or social.

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I haven't paid close attention, but aren't the following things that he has said he would do?
1) Repeal car tax
2) Cut % of tax CA State takes from County tax base


Here's a link to his agenda if you care to take a closer look...
http://www.joinarnold.com/en/agenda/#A1

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

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Arnold is no different than a democrat

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Well, I think it might help you to actually read Arnold's website, and his agenda. As a life-long Republican, he seems much closer to my values than those of the modern Democratic party.

[HighWheeler]

tuck, if the race was only between Arnold and Cruz, who would you vote for?

[ChemistCat]

I'm just waiting for the Weird Al Yankovich version.

[tuckrdout]

I watched the debate! He wants to give benefits to ILLEGAL aliens!

"lifelong" Republican is a stretch, don't you think? How long has he even been American?

[Rabid Dog]

Great graphic!

[Sabertooth]

The fork is Schwarzenegger's.

Does Arnold want conservative votes, or not?

[The Old Hoosier]

Also, I wouldn't rule out a second place finish for Tom at all. First of all, the turnout will probably skew to the right.

Second, thanks to this new poll, conservatives will ignore the "Vote Tom, elect Busty" guilt trip the RINOs are laying out, and vote their conscience, knowing Busty can't win and a strong Tom vote sends a message to Arnold.

Busty is such a poor candidate, so uninspiring and so pro-tax hike that my prediction for his third-place finish, made in early August, might just turn out to be true.

[findingtruth]

This could work, but only if McClintock truly thinks he is less important than both the Republican party and the Californians he won't get a chance to lead.

The only thing which matters is that the Republican Party win! If it wins with pro-sodomite, pro-abortion Schwarzenegger, that's okay. No matter if we're cutting heads off babies, just so the Republicans are presiding over it!

[The Old Hoosier]

Davis has also promised to repeal the car tax. The other one is pretty obscure and un-ideological.