McClintock: 'In the race to the finish line'

CNN ^ | August 26, 2003 | CNN

[Recourse]

WASHINGTON (CNN) --With one recent poll showing actor Arnold Schwarzenegger falling behind Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante in California's gubernatorial recall race, some top Republicans are urging other GOP candidates to drop out of the race.

Businessman Bill Simon, the GOP nominee against Gov. Gray Davis last year, dropped out over the weekend. But Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock says he's in the race for good. McClintock, in Sacramento, California, spoke with CNN's Judy Woodruff on Tuesday. The following is an edited transcript.

[Grand Old Partisan]

McClintock is assuring that Cruz Bustamante will be the next Governor of California.

[ancientart]

Without Arnold in the race, the Democrats win handily.

No. Arnold is playing the roll of Ross Perot in 1992: a sideshow candidate who allows the media to avoid serious coverage of election. Ronald Reagan won the Governor's race in 1966 because he addressed specific California problems and convinced even many Democrats that he could do a do a better job than Pat Brown. McC could do the same...if Arnold weren't stealing the spotlight.

[Cathryn Crawford]

McClintock is assuring that Cruz Bustamante will be the next Governor of California.

He doesn't have to. California Republicans are doing a good enough job on their own.

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

You're more catty than usual tonight. Hormones?

[TheDon]

To remain viable, he has to say he's in to the finish line. Bill said the same thing, until the day he dropped out. If Tom says anything else, who would listen to him anymore? He'll drop out when the time is right.

[risk]

McClintock has a real platform, a well enumerated platform.

For that matter, I think Schwartzeneger's platform is improving in clarity. I just think that Republicans who aren't following Duf Sundheim's lead and sticking with the party line that we have several (now two?) good Republican candidates are just hurting our chances of winning. No matter which candidate does better in the long run -- the one with star power, or the one with the conservative identity -- we won't get there by dragging one or the other through the dirt.

I like McClintock. Some like Schwartzenegger. They're both great candidates. People who attack either one based on the electability issue (i.e. from one side or the other) are just splitting the party and leaving both candidates in a lurch with Democrats. Both candidates need to sell themselves to the Democrats, remember that.

[Cathryn Crawford]

You're more catty than usual tonight. Hormones?

Remember what happened the last time you got personal with a poster? I have no problem whatsoever with alerting the Admin Moderator if you continue.

[Grand Old Partisan]

If he doesn't have to, then why is he going out of his way to elect Cruz Bustamante?

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

Can't handle the heat?

[Grand Old Partisan]

"He'll drop out when the time is right."

Let's hope so.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I respect your opinion - it seems well thought out, as opposed to some who simply follow whoever is in the flashing lights.

I belive that this recall election is a once in a lifetime chance to push through a conservative, and the California Republicans are letting it slip away. It's almost painful to watch, really.

[Hugin]

McClintock keeps comparing himself to Seabiscut, but the only resemplance is to his rear end. McC will will never draw enough votes from the middle to win, but his ego won't let him admit it. If the votes he gets gives Bustamental a marginal victory I won't forgive him, ever.

[Tempest]

My favorite part of Seabiscuit was when he broke his leg and the tractor trampled over him . . .

[deport]

No. Arnold is playing the roll of Ross Perot in 1992:

McC could do the same...if Arnold weren't stealing the spotlight.

---

Are you suggesting that Arnold will finish in 3rd place?

Every one has obstacles to overcome..... Those that triumph over theirs will become the leaders.... such is life.

[Grand Old Partisan]

What's painful is to watch the McClintock camp act as if they're working for Cruz Bustamante.

[Rabid Dog]

Why are the out-of-state people sometimes the most obnoxious ones?

[Hildy]

I truly don't understand McClintock...if Cruz wins because of a split Republican vote, his political career is over. He's pretty damn cocky isn't he? It makes you wonder what's more important to him... Career politicians are the reason this recall has happened. I might like what he says, but I'm not sure I trust him as a person.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Can't handle the heat?

Anytime you wish to have a real argument with me, let me know. I won't engage you in your petty personal arguments, and I will not allow you to reveal personal information about me or my friends without my alerting the Mod. You went over the line last time, and you got slapped by the Moderator.

I simply wanted to give you fair warning before you did it again.

[deport]

Where are you getting your 'registration numbers' from? The CA Election site has them at Dem: 44.4% and Rep: 35.2%.. They are back in Feb. 2003....

[Tempest]

The arrogance of McClintock, made me think I was listening to a Davis interview.