California Recall Daily Thread (9/29/2003) 8 Days To Go

Arnold's GOP rival sticks it out, compares himself to Seabiscuit (McClintock Working It Hard)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | September 29, 2003 | Associated Press
Posted on 09/29/2003 12:49 PM PDT by Recourse

September 29, 2003

SAN FRANCISCO -- With little more than a week left in California's recall race, Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to make his victory seem inevitable. But his more conservative Republican rival isn't going away.

State Sen. Tom McClintock has stuck firmly -- some say obstinately -- to his pledge to race to the end, even at the risk of splitting the Republican vote and allowing Democrats to stay in power even if Gov. Gray Davis is recalled.

''I have never been popular in the country club wing of the Republican party,'' McClintock said in an interview Sunday before another full day of campaigning. ''I've always drawn my strength from grassroots voters, and I'm quite content with that.''

McClintock prefers to compare himself to Seabiscuit -- the scrappy California race horse who outran the establishment. He said he believes millions of voters will embrace his anti-tax, anti-abortion, pro-gun philosophy....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991680/posts

Oops! Clinton's Support Harms Davis

Newsmax ^ | 9/29/03 | Carl Limbacher
Posted on 09/29/2003 12:54 PM PDT by truthandlife

Some Democrats still insist that failed presidential nominee Al Gore made a mistake by distancing himself from China and North Korea's favorite U.S. president, Bill Clinton. But it seems that tactic was about the only thing that Class-Warfare Al did right in 2000.

Here's a little-publicized aspect of the new USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll showing Californians booting the increasingly green Gray Davis: Bill Clinton's support did more harm than good.

Question 13: "Did Bill Clinton’s campaigning against the recall of Governor Davis make you more likely to vote to recall Davis, did it not make much difference, or did it make you less likely to vote to recall Davis?"

Among registered voters, 18 percent said more likely, 68 percent said no difference and 12 percent said less likely. Among probably voters, 21 percent said more likely, 66 percent said no difference and 11 percent said less likely.

And the L.A. Times and other Democrat newspapers kept claiming that Clinton is so terribly popular in La-La Land.

Let's hope the donkeys' 2004 presidential nominee asks for Slick Willie's "help." ....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991686/posts

Arnold Schwarzenegger: If it's heroes you want, look no further than Friedman and Smith -

The Telegraph - UK ^ | September 25, 2003 | Arnold Schwarzenegger
Posted on 09/26/2003 5:04 PM PDT by UnklGene

By Arnold Schwarzenegger (Filed: 25/09/2003)

I have often said that the two people who have most profoundly impacted my thinking on economics are Milton Friedman and Adam Smith. At Christmas, I sometimes annoy some of my more liberal Hollywood friends by sending them a gift of Friedman's classic economic primer, Free to Choose. What I learnt from Friedman and Smith is a lesson that every political leader should never forget: that when the heavy fist of government becomes too overbearing and intrusive, it stifles the unlimited wealth creation process of a free people operating under a free enterprise system....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/990341/posts

McClintock on Top in California Illegals Debate

Crosswalk ^ | Cal Thomas
Posted on 09/29/2003 1:51 PM PDT by ambrose

Cal Thomas
Syndicated Columnist

Watching the debate among candidates for California governor -- should the recall be approved October 7 -- was an exercise in political correctness run amok. Only state Senator Tom McClintock had the guts to say what needed to be said.

While others mostly pandered to the Latino crowd by falling all over themselves, saying illegal immigrants should be welcomed and given driver's licenses and services, McClintock said they should receive no benefits at all.

He is right, but being right in politics no longer matters. Getting elected matters. Our politics are so miserable.

If Lt. Governor Bustamante and the rest of the pack won't uphold our laws, what is their purpose for holding office? Don't they take an oath to uphold the law?

This is an open invitation for more illegals to come here, including terrorists. It is more than an outrage. It is criminal that we allow so many people to break our laws and then reward them for doing so.

Good for Tom McClintock for saying the right thing and not pandering....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991710/posts

Another HUGE lie bites the dust (McClintock can't beat Busta)

USA Today ^ | 9/29/20003 | USA Today
Posted on 09/29/2003 2:02 PM PDT by Russell Scott

6. If the choice were between Cruz Bustamante, the Democrat and Tom McClintock, the Republican, who would you be more likely to vote for: Cruz Bustamante or Tom McClintock? ....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991715/posts

Schwarzenegger: It's 'war'

Record Searchlight ^ | September 29, 2003 | Tim Hearden
Posted on 09/29/2003 3:30 PM PDT by calcowgirl

Airport rally draws 1,000 supporters

Arnold Schwarzenegger used a boisterous Redding rally to declare "war" against Gov. Gray Davis on Sunday, blasting the beleaguered incumbent's budget policies and leadership.

Countering recent criticism by the governor, a fiery Schwarzenegger told an enthusiastic crowd he thinks Davis will run a "dirty" campaign in the coming days but that he expects to win on Oct. 7....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991766/posts

Davis camp accuses Schwarzenegger campaign of 'dirty tricks'

USA Today ^ | 9/29/2003 | Associated Press
Posted on 09/29/2003 3:38 PM PDT by calcowgirl

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — The feud between Gov. Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger escalated Monday as the governor’s campaign accused the actor’s handlers of engaging in “dirty tricks” by plotting to disrupt a Davis event.

Davis spokesman Peter Ragone said the campaign had obtained an e-mail showing that the Schwarzenegger camp was trying to stack one of the governor’s town-hall meetings “with shills for their campaign, Republicans who would disrupt and attack the governor.” ....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991778/posts

California: Looking for a vote I can live with

Sacramento Bee, Recall Fly on the Wall Weblog ^ | September 29, 2003 | Susanna Cooper
Posted on 09/29/2003 3:42 PM PDT by John Jorsett

My feeling late last week was that the recall would fail, and that freed me up to vote my conscience without carrying the guilt of a throwaway vote. Like Mark, my unfettered vote would go to Garrett Gruener (one more plug for his web site here). What I liked most about him was his ability to talk straight about the state's challenges and his ideas for solving them; he can explain, to pick one example, the need to close Prop. 13's commercial property tax loophole in a way that is understandable and compelling but not dumbed-down. That's the kind of leadership we need. Under normal circumstances I'd be wary of the fact that he hasn't held public office of any kind (would it hurt to try your hand at city council or Assembly before you run for governor?) but these aren't normal circumstances....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991781/posts

California Republican Party Leadership Endorses Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor (press release)

CA GOP ^ | Sept.29, 2003 | CA GOP
Posted on 09/29/2003 3:42 PM PDT by FairOpinion

Burbank, CA. – In an unprecedented move, the California Republican Party’s Board of Directors today unanimously voted to endorse gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger in the October 7 recall election. The vote was announced following a special meeting of the CRP Board in Burbank.

“We are proud to have two extremely competent Republicans on the ballot,” said California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim. “Both would make exceptional governors, but only one can win. It is our hope that Republicans, Democrats and independents who are ready for change unite behind Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“Arnold has a proven ability to connect with voters, to solidify the Republican base while reaching out to Democrats and independents, and to excite new voters. It is our hope that Californians who share our concern for the future unite behind Arnold in the final days of this historic election,” continued Sundheim.

“This is an unprecedented vote for our Party, but then, again, this is an unprecedented election. We simply cannot afford to put our future at risk by keeping Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante in office. With eight days left until the election, I encourage Californians in the strongest possible terms to vote “yes” on the recall and “yes” on Schwarzenegger.”

Today’s endorsement marks the first time that the California Republican Party’s governing board has endorsed a candidate in a contested gubernatorial race....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991780/posts

McClintock Answers Davis' Bid To Debate Schwarzenegger

Channel 4, San Francisco ^ | Sept29, 03 | Channel 4, San Francisco
Posted on 09/29/2003 3:46 PM PDT by churchillbuff

Conservative Passion, Large Crowds Keep McClintock In Recall Race
3:14 p.m. PDT September 29, 2003

SAN FRANCISCO -- Conservative state Sen. Tom McClintock at a Monday afternoon press conference surprised those who thought he would be announcing that he was dropping out of the recall race when he announced that he wanted to take Arnold Schwarzenegger's place in debating Gov. Gray Davis.

Last week, Davis posed a challenge to Schwarzenegger to debate with him, stating that Schwarzenegger apparently had more pressing matters, McClintock said he would be happy to take Schwarzenegger's place.

"If Governor Davis is serious about wanting to debate these issues, the debate's on... If he's not serious about it, we'll just have to take that into account on election day. The more discussion among the candidates, the better." ....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991786/posts

Republicans Get Behind Schwarzenegger in Calif. Race(Dave Cox endorses Arnold)

Reuters ^ | Sept. 29, 2003 | Adam Tanner
Posted on 09/29/2003 4:19 PM PDT by FairOpinion

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Republicans rallied behind gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday as his leading Democratic rival's chances appeared to be rapidly fading along with hopes that incumbent California Gov. Gray Davis can avoid being recalled from office.

The Austrian-born actor picked up an endorsement from state Assembly Republican leader Dave Cox and the California Republican party's executive board said it would make an unprecedented endorsement of a candidate in the governor's race later in the day -- with that person widely expected to be Schwarzenegger....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991811/posts

A candidate with a past? Maybe not

THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE ^ | September 29, 2003 | James O. Goldsborough
Posted on 09/29/2003 4:07 PM PDT by calcowgirl

Leave it to California's absurd recall election to give us something we have never before seen in politics: a fledgling politician who defends his past by saying he lied about it.

Confronted with past facts – as all who run for public office eventually are – Arnold Schwarzenegger faced a dilemma: concede that he had promoted drugs and engaged in group sex during his years as a bodybuilder.

Or say he lied about it, made it up, everyone in Hollywood does it, innocent self promotion, you know.

"When you're promoting a movie," you say things you know are outrageous," a Schwarzenegger spokesman told the Los Angeles Times. "As a candidate for office, the threshold is completely different." ....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991802/posts

For the GOP, Recall Road forks right here

The San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | 9/27/03 | Logan Jenkins
Posted on 09/29/2003 4:23 PM PDT by evilsmoker

September 27, 2003

Darrell Issa and Howard Kaloogian, the recall's original dynamic duo, have parted ways over Tom McClintock, the right-wing Republican on the ballot to replace Gov. Gray Davis.

This North County rift reveals the stress Republicans are under as the recall gets down to its short, hysterical strokes....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991815/posts

The Schwarzenegger Maneuver

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | September 29, 2003 | Barbara Simpson
Posted on 09/29/2003 3:21 PM PDT by calcowgirl

The Schwarzenegger Maneuver September 29, 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

Talk about "gotcha" – they called it a debate!

The highly touted "debate" among the best-known candidates for California governor came off as a circus.

This debate got mountains of attention because it included the best known of the best-known candidates, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The actor-businessman, would-be politician draws cameras and crowds simply by breathing. And Arnold's been deep breathing.

Combine his selective media campaigning with his refusal to debate competitors and you have a sure way to garner even more media attention....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991757/posts

Momentum may be shifting against Davis [Gallup numbers confirmed in private polling]

AP ^ | 9-29-03 | AP
Posted on 09/29/2003 4:56 PM PDT by ambrose

TOM CHORNEAU
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO - No one is quite sure when or how it happened, but there is a growing sense among analysts Monday that Gov. Gray Davis' drive to defeat the recall has lost momentum.

Some blame the court case that interrupted the campaign last week at a critical point. Others point out the state's higher car tax bills are just now hitting the mailboxes and igniting new voter anger. There are also some who say the performance of Republican front-runner Arnold Schwarzenegger in the big debate last week has somehow turned the tide....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991829/posts

More Gray Davis Quid Pro Quo?

REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS ^ | 9/29/03 | Douglas Lorenz, National Chairman
Posted on 09/29/2003 5:01 PM PDT by Liz

We all know that Gray Davis is the coin-operated Governor, willing to do whatever his campaign contributors will pay him to do.

This is part of the reason that the recall is occurring, it has become obvious that Davis has not learned his lesson....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991832/posts

Analysts cite Davis debate gambit as sign of a losing campaign

AP ^ | 9-29 | AP
Posted on 09/29/2003 5:13 PM PDT by ambrose

Analysts cite Davis debate gambit as sign of a losing campaign
By JIM WASSERMAN
Associated Press Writer
SACRAMENTO --

A late-hour television strategy by Gov. Gray Davis' to paint Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cowardly candidate who won't debate "the governor he wants to replace" reveals the true telltale mark of a losing campaign, political analysts said Monday.

Front-runners and incumbents typically avoid debates, analysts said, noting Davis used that strategy in his previous campaign. Now, they view Davis' challenge to Schwarzenegger as a "roll of the dice" ploy for survival....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991835/posts

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.