Ueberroth outlines economic plan; McClintock hosts talk radio show

The San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 8/29/03 | John Marelius

[South40]

Governor hopefuls campaign in S.D.

Gubernatorial candidate Peter Ueberroth used a town hall-style meeting in San Diego to tout his economic plan yesterday while Republican Tom McClintock hosted a local talk radio show and defended his continued presence in the race.

Ueberroth, a Republican businessman running as an independent, outlined the centerpiece of his evolving plan to rescue California from its fiscal morass – a constitutional requirement tying state spending to changes in population and inflation.

"If spending caps had been in place in California five years ago, we would have a surplus today," Ueberroth, the former baseball commissioner, told about 75 people gathered for a live Web cast from the Doubletree Mission Valley Hotel.

Ueberroth said he would assemble a bipartisan administration, refuse a salary and serve only the remaining three years of Gov. Gray Davis' term if the governor is removed in the Oct. 7 recall election.

"I'm not going to run for office again," he said. "I'm not going to be burdened by trying to please Democrats and Republicans."

Ueberroth acknowledged that he had been ambivalent about the drive to qualify the Davis recall for the ballot, but now regards it as "a mandate for change."

Putting it in baseball terms, Ueberroth added, "This is not a good thing to say in San Diego, but if your team isn't doing very well, your players aren't performing, sometimes you lose your job."

He spoke in front of a banner that read "Carry the torch for Peter," a reference to the profitable 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles that he directed.

Ueberroth, kicking off a series of town hall meetings across the state, said he chose the format because, "I can't tell you what the solutions are for California in sound bites."

McClintock, a state senator from Thousand Oaks, filled in as the guest host on the Roger Hedgecock show on San Diego radio station KOGO.

McClintock is a popular fixture on California's conservative talk-radio circuit because of his long-standing fight against the state's motor vehicle license fee.

But yesterday, a number of callers voiced their concern that McClintock, who is running third in the polls, could siphon enough Republican votes from actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to hand the governorship to Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante if Davis is recalled.

A caller who identified herself as Janet accused McClintock of not being a "team player" for the Republican Party.

"That's really unfair. I have to say that," he said. "My question to you very simply is this: Shouldn't we have the campaign first and let the voters decide who gets to win it? I realize that doesn't sit well in the country club back rooms of the Republican Party."

Hedgecock offered the most prominent candidates the opportunity to host his show. Only McClintock has taken him up on the offer.

McClintock said he fielded the unscreened calls in the order they came in. At one point, McClintock said a congressman whom he would not name "hung up in a huff" when he refused to put him ahead of other callers who had been on hold.

Republican Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham of Escondido got through and pressed McClintock on his refusal to step aside.

"I know that you've said that you're in this to the end," Cunningham said. "You know and I know as politicians there will be a time when we know if there is someone way out in the lead that will win this thing and without the votes of the others – whether it's Ueberroth, you or Arnold – then in my opinion, the other two ought to get out."

[South40]

Who would have thought that a lifelong conservative Republican like Randy "Duke" Cunningham would turn out to be a RINO too? lol!

[ambrose]

These little piglets want their turn at the trough pretty badly.

Well, the swine will have much to answer for.

[ambrose]

Yes it does. If you support Ahnold, you ARE a RINO. Supporting Ahnold means you have no values or principles, you simply care that there is an "R" next to his name. I don't think a single one of you would vote for Ahnold if he was running as a Democrat, but otherwise held identical positions and viewpoints.

[South40]

I was being facetious...sarcastic if you will. I don't believe anyone is a RINO just because they may think Arnold stands ther best chance to win or mcclintock and Ueberroth should bow out.

I was parroting what so many here like to say and wondering is they agree that a life long, die-hard conservative Republican like Cunningham was a RINO too.

Sorry if that confused you. :)

[Drango]

Who would have thought that a lifelong conservative Republican like Randy "Duke" Cunningham would turn out to be a RINO too? lol!

Yeah along with RINO's like Newt who also endorsed Arnold....

[Torie]

Why is Ueberroth doing this? Maybe he thinks that if Arnold collapses folks will move massively to him. That is delusional. Plus his marquee spending law plank is a joke. There is already a law, a constitutional one, mandating a balanced budget. That worked really well. Ueberroth I doubt has any further plans to suggest any unpleasant specifics about spending cuts. Plus does his cap have a baseline the Davis spending levels? Just curious. Ego and ambition often defeats even the most level headed.

By the way, let me say again this teeth knashing about McCLintock throwing the election to Bustamante is probably not well taken. If at the end, Arnold is running a bit behind Bustamante, and it is clear that Arnold needs his votes, I think the odds are high that McClintock will drop out, absent unusual events unfolding. Meanwhile, McClintock deserves the chance to try to get into the number two position.

[South40]

Supporting Ahnold means you have no values or principles, you simply care that there is an "R" next to his name.

That's absurd. You apparently have a problem accepting the fact that someone can think Arnold stands the best chance to win WITHOUT "supporting" him.

I think howie dean is going to win the democRATic nomination. That doesn't mean I support him.

[ambrose]

Why is Ueberroth doing this?

He wants to be governor?

I'd still put down good money on a spectacular late collapse by Ahnold.

[South40]

McClintock deserves the chance to try to get into the number two position.

I agree Torie. And I have never said anything to the contrary.

But I wouldn't be so sure that either of them would drop out even if they know that they cannot win. I would hope they would, but I wouldn't bet on it. I would hope Arnold would too, should the polls suggest he had no chance to win. But I wouldn't bet he would either.

We'll see.

[ambrose]

You are "supporting" him because you think he can win? That's exactly my point! Would you vote for him if he were a Democrat?

I'd certainly vote for McClintock if he called himself a Democrat, but held the same positions he does now.

"RINO" isn't so much about ideology as the failure to have any guiding principles other than the desire to win elections. RINOs therefore associate themselves with the party as a matter of convenience, not conviction.

That's why I'd reject the notion that all "moderates" are RINOs. Many moderates do have genuine conviction of their beleifs.

[Torie]

By the Willie Brown was saying nice things about McClintock, and said he did best, better than Bustamante and somebody else, and that is why they gave McClintock a million dollars. Willie said that on the Hardball show. So it does seem, that the Dems see McClintock as an asset at present. But then they once say Reagan as an asset. It strikes more as grasping at straws. Willie also said he expects Bustamante to get between 32% to 35% of the vote. If that is Bustamante's number, Bustamante will lose. Maybe I am just hopelessly confused.

[Tempest]

I think that McClintock should seperate from the Republican party and just form his own political party.

He call his party "The worshippers of Tom."

And they could serve Kool-Aid every Sunday.

Ohhhh how fun!!!

[South40]

Yeah along with RINO's like Newt who also endorsed Arnold....

Though she didn't endorse him...but Ann Coulter told Chris Matthews she thought Arnold stood the best chance to win.

I've said the same thing and was accused of supporting him and called a RINO. Neither of which is true.

[Torie]

I'd certainly vote for McClintock if he called himself a Democrat, but held the same positions he does now.

LOL; McClintock the Ralph Hall of California. :) Of course, he would never have been elected to any office going that route. Not in California.

[sruleoflaw]

Go take a look at the GOP platform and then think RINO. Does the GOP support gun control, abortion, gay domestic partnerships, increased taxes (why won't old Arnold sign the no-taxs pledge)? The supporters of Arnold are delusional if they think he is a Republican. He is a fine Kennedy liberal -- complete with hashish smoking and orgies. A real man of the people.

[deport]

I realize that doesn't sit well in the country club back rooms of the Republican Party."

---

Yep cuts off nose to spite face....

[Torie]

I should have added (somehow it got left out of the post above) that Willie said McCLintock did best before a Native American group, and that is why they gave him a million dollars. Of course, if what Willie said is true, that is not why the Native American group (aka Casino gambling interests), gave McClintock a million dollars. They did it thinking it would help Davis and/or Bustamante.

[Torie]

McClintock should lose that line. It doesn't have the right ring in an election that is about fiscal issues. McClintock needs country clubbers.

[ambrose]

Willie Brown has one of the smartest political heads in this state, but he was given hell by McClintock when he was Speaker. Maybe he respects him for that?

I don't think 35% will be enough to win, simply because the trailing candidates typically fade at the finish. However, not always. Remember Minnesota 1998? That was a true 3 -way finish. However, in '02, the 3rd place Tim Penny completely collapsed at the end of the campaign. His support simply evaporated as people jumped to the winning candidate.

Again, who knows. The usual rules certainly don't apply here.