Tom McClintock has earned the respect of Californians over the years.
If that were the case, he could win a statewide election (in the article it point that out). What is his plans now? Go to the private sector. Maybe he can join a conservative organization.
I don't know whether or not you are from Calfornia. I am, and both sides of my mother's family go back to the 1860s in this state. Many of those relatives have been very active over the decades in state politics. McClintock has
earned deep respect here over the past 30 years. The wisest, smartest, most thoughtful Republicans I know here ALL regard McClintock very highly, highly enough to know that when he says something, it's worth consideration. That McClintock hasn't won a statewide election is less reflective on him than it is on an electorate dominated in general (as opposed to primary) elections by ill-informed and ignorant voters of metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
That some (such as the L.A. Times!) would conclude, "Well, he's never won a state-wide election so that means the people of California don't actually respect him," is more reflective on their ignorance of California politics.