Posted on 03/04/2006 11:38:13 PM PST by FairOpinion
The major Republican candidate for lieutenant governor pleaded with his fellow GOP conservatives Saturday to override their objections to moderate Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and support him and Schwarzenegger as a ticket.
State Sen. Tom McClintock urged members of the conservative California Republican Assembly not to snub Schwarzenegger "because there is disagreement on certain issues."
The CRA, many of whose members are upset with Schwarzenegger, is meeting in Bakersfield this weekend to endorse Republican candidates for the June 6 primary election.
Unlike Schwarzenegger, McClintock is a hero of the conservative movement and he sought to energize them behind both his and Schwarzenegger's candidacies, but he did it in an unusual two-step process.
In a luncheon speech, McClintock called for support for him and the governor from the conservatives, who recently threatened to lead a movement to withdraw the California Republican Party's endorsement of Schwarzenegger.
"The differences between us and other Republicans are minor compared to our differences with the Democrats," McClintock said in a warmly received speech that was a featured event of the convention.
He said a vote for Schwarzenegger is not a betrayal of conservative principles, calling for lower taxes, less government regulation and better control of immigration. He noted that one of Schwarzenegger's first moves as governor was to eliminate the $4 billion-a-year car tax that his predecessor, Gray Davis, had reinstituted.
But the speech still left some delegates wondering how strongly McClintock supports the governor.
"Not once in his presentation did he ask the California Republican Assembly to support the governor for re-election," said Steve Frank, a conservative activist and author of the blog www.capoliticalnews.com.
McClintock moved quickly to clear that up, asking for an unscheduled appearance a short while later before a meeting of most of the delegates.
"I do support him for re-election," McClintock said.
"I'm asking you to endorse the two of us as a ticket," he continued. "We are running as a ticket."
CRA President Mike Spence said the group normally endorses candidates individually, and it would require a discussion and vote of delegates at today's final session of the convention to make a multiple endorsement.
Endorsements require a two-thirds vote by the delegates and McClintock was expected to win approval overwhelmingly. However, many people doubt that Schwarzenegger could get an endorsement alone. A successful move by McClintock supporters to tie the two together could help Schwarzenegger avoid a snub. The governor was not expected to appear at the convention and ask for an endorsement.
CRA endorsements are sought by many GOP candidates because they can be valuable in contested Republican primary elections where conservative credentials are important. A number of candidates for statewide offices as well as seats in the state Legislature are campaigning for nods from the CRA this weekend.
McClintock's plea for support for him and the governor drew mostly favorable responses from delegates interviewed later.
"Tom McClintock is extremely influential with conservatives," said Tracy Leach, a Bakersfield political consultant. "If he says don't sit on your hands, I think a lot of conservatives are going to do what he says."
"I'm optimistic that after June, the Republican Party will be prepared and excited about the election," said Russell Johnson, president of the conservative Young Republican Federation of Kern County.
Asked if he will vote for Schwarzenegger for governor, Johnson said, "I'm going to vote for the Republican nominee for governor."
So far, Schwarzenegger is the only major candidate for the post, although the filing deadline for candidates is Friday.
McClintock PING
You hypocrite!
"The differences between us and other Republicans are minor compared to our differences with the Democrats," McClintock said in a warmly received speech that was a featured event of the convention.
McClintock's plea for support for him and the governor drew mostly favorable responses from delegates interviewed later.
"Tom McClintock is extremely influential with conservatives," said Tracy Leach, a Bakersfield political consultant. "If he says don't sit on your hands, I think a lot of conservatives are going to do what he says."
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This is good news.
Arnold and Tom decided to stand united and help each other.
Our real enemies are the Democrats, don't you agree?
Not so minor differences when the RIQ* is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
*RINO In Question
Why? Did FairOpinion ever disparage Tom or something?
/sarcasm
Well, the choice is between Arnold or Angelides. Pick one.
http://www.calcoast.org/news/cpr0060122.html
Angelides calls himself a champion of "progressive values." As state treasurer, he has pushed public pension funds to dump tobacco stocks, invest in urban renewal projects and pressure corporations into cleaning up the environment. A close ally of labor, he also supports abortion rights, gay marriage, gun control and driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
If he makes it into a general-election race, his call for increasing taxes could pose problems; Schwarzenegger has been steadfast in opposing higher taxes.
I'll ping it in a while. In the meantime, maybe you can post an apology for slandering me on the other thread, then not returning.
Mediocrity beats poisonous treason every day!
"for slandering me on the other thread"???
I don't recall slandering you.
Is that an admission that the following statement is incorrect when applied to Arnold?
"The differences between us and other Republicans are minor compared to our differences with the Democrats,"
Maybe I'm wrong, but it's hard for me to see a conservative win governor in California...now. I think Arnold is as good as you can get, with this political atmosphere. I could be wrong.
We have too much scum here.
Selective memory? I pinged you--again.
PING!
McClintock Ping List.
Please freepmail me if you want on or off this list
BTT
*sigh* People who "demand" apologies are such pills. Energy wasting whiners -- it's all about them.
Excuse my wildly off-topic post. Just had to roll my eyes in cyberspace.
Maybe I'm wrong, but it's hard for me to see a conservative win governor in California...now. I think Arnold is as good as you can get, with this political atmosphere.
Your statement is Reaganesque. Simple concept of truth. Maybe not easy to accomplish or like, but simple. Another simple one: California didn't get this way overnight and it's not going to heal over night. The pendulum is not going to swing back to the right without time and compromise.
Good. Tom/Arnold '06.
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