Posted on 07/25/2007 5:13:55 PM PDT by saganite
As last week's all-night lockdown in the state Senate ended without a budget, Sen. Tom McClintock thanked fellow conservatives on his daily blog for their calls and e-mails and proclaimed, "You've made a difference."
By many accounts, so has the rock-ribbed Thousand Oaks Republican who during the current stalemate has reached out to the party faithful via the blogosphere and urged them to implore the Senate's 15 Republicans to hold firm.
Railing against what he sees as profligate spending by Democrats is nothing new for McClintock, who during his 21 years in the Legislature has often been dismissed by critics as inflexible and out of touch with mainstream voters.
But this year, with the Legislature's budget adoption more than a month late, McClintock's views are garnering a fervent following on the Internet as the Senate considers a $103 billion spending plan approved by the Assembly.
"For many years, McClintock has been somewhat isolated in the message he has consistently delivered," said Kevin Gordon, a consultant on education budget issues. "The difference is, this year he's got a technology-driven megaphone."
Political observers say the new technology has combined with a more conservative Senate than in the past -- including members who feel spurned by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- to create a perfect storm of budget intransigence.
For the first time in memory, the Republican Caucus agreed "the leadership would not agree to a budget until at least half the caucus was in agreement," McClintock said.
Exhorted by McClintock and other bloggers, conservatives are bombarding Senate Republicans with phone calls urging them to deny Democrats the two votes they need to end the deadlock.
GOP lawmakers have been listening and, indeed, engaging in interactive rallies. During the all-night session, Sens. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, and George Runner, R-Lancaster, posted comments reaffirming their resolve on the Flash Report, a Republican blog.
McClintock has been the most prolific blogger, posting his speech on the Senate floor in which he lambasted budget writers for papering over the state's budget deficit that could top $5 billion a year from now.
He's also excoriated Schwarzenegger for siding with "liberal Democrats in refusing to balance the state budget."
"Tom McClintock's role over time has evolved to being almost a conscience of the Republican Party," said Jon Fleischman, creator of the Flash Report and board member of the state party.
McClintock, 51, was first elected to the Legislature at age 26.
A history buff and policy wonk, he is a Capitol loner who is far more comfortable pounding out newspaper columns on conservative topics than palling around at after-hours haunts.
Although he represents a Southern California Senate district, McClintock, his wife, Lori, and two children live in Elk Grove.
During his time in the Legislature, he has positioned himself among the most conservative members on social issues -- against abortion rights, gun control and a ban on offshore oil drilling -- and fiscal austerity.
Despite attracting a vocal following, he has failed in four bids for statewide office, losing twice for state controller, in 1994 and 2002, and state insurance commissioner in 2006. In 2003, he finished third in the gubernatorial recall that swept Schwarzenegger into office.
But McClintock has reaped dividends from his statewide campaigns, amassing an e-mail list of more than 85,000 supporters.
The Internet, he says, has added a dimension to political dialogue "that allows every citizen to take an active role in their government."
"I think that people are doing what happens in a democracy," McClintock said. "As a crisis approaches, they sense a common danger and they rise to the occasion. We saw a glimpse of that during the recall election in 2003, and I think we're seeing that civic spirit beginning to stir again."
A darling of conservative radio talk shows, McClintock -- who has not voted for state budgets since Republican Gov. George Deukmejian was in office in the 1980s -- launched his blog this January.
In March, after state Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, announced he was joining Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, in legislation that would put $500 into a savings account for each child born in California, McClintock sent an e-mail to supporters warning the bill would create "a new wave of illegal immigrants."
Within days, Dutton withdrew his support from the bill.
Dutton plays down the impact of McClintock's e-mail on his decision. But Steinberg said that after the bill was linked to illegal immigration, Dutton "was besieged by e-mails and phone calls."
"It clearly came from Senator McClintock and the blogs that he's affiliated with and talk radio," Steinberg said. "The pressure from the right wing was so intense (Dutton) felt that he had no choice but to back off."
Steinberg said the impact of blogs "is, in large part, the story of this year's budget delay."
For Republicans to vote for a budget -- "even a budget with a $3.4 billion reserve, cuts in health and welfare and no new programs" -- creates "great risks for those who worry about their future," Steinberg said.
McClintock counters that "the public is awakening to the state's fiscal condition and, certainly, the Legislature is as well."
He comes in third in the most heavily contested statewide race in history, getting 1,161,287 votes and 13.41 percent of the total versus the fourth place Green party showing of 2.80%, and yet the critics "dismiss" him.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Curiously those wildly extreme positions are mirrored in the state and national Republican Party platforms.
And what's wrong with that?
I bitterly regret voting for Ahhhhnold over Tom McClintock. Yeah, I knew better, but Cruz Bustamante and Phil Angelelides scare the hell out of me.
Frankly I was pleasantly surprised to read this. I thought conservatives were an extinct species in Cal.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
We are not extinct here. We ARE outnumbered, but that just makes us feistier. Arnold still beats having either Gray Davis or Bustamente (tho not by a whole lot). I’m glad to see McClintock is still active and fighting. Must find his blog.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Well, I guess if one more Cal. conservative finds his blog this post is a complete success! ;^)
No he doesn't. He is as liberal as Gray Davis and perhaps more so. He has decimated the GOP and dispirited our base. Leaders have consequences.
Agree Agree. I voted for McClintock and have nothing to regret.
You said it. If Arnie gets his green agenda passed, California (and its taxpayers) will go bankrupt.
PING!
McClintock Ping List.
Please freepmail me if you want on or off this list
>>Well, I guess if one more Cal. conservative finds his blog this post is a complete success! ;^)
Let’s make it easy:
http://www.carepublic.com/
Somehow I got kicked off. I didn't do anything :-(
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