Posted on 09/02/2003 4:21:28 PM PDT by socal_parrot
A Democratic plot to boost Tom McClintocks candidacy at Arnold Schwarzeneggers expense has recently come to light.
On paper, the recall election should be a cakewalk for California Republicans. A cursory analysis reveals a governor with an approval rating below Richard Nixon at his low point. The only serious Democrat candidate is the states uninspiring lieutenant governor, Cruz Bustamante, who unquestioningly followed Governor Davis through his mishaps with the budget and energy crisis. It should be a breeze for Republicans, right? Think again. Democrats are euphoric over Tom McClintocks intransigence in continuing his long-shot bid for governor. This allows Democrats to divide and conquer their way into office. Democrats are attempting to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and Tom McClintock is an essential part of their game plan.
For starters, Democrats know McClintock cannot win. They know that he has ran for statewide office twice before and lost both times. McClintocks problem is not so much that hes unknown but that Californians know about him and have rejected his candidacy time and again. Knowing this, a Democrat plot to boost McClintocks candidacy at Schwarzeneggers expense has already surfaced. According to the Sacramento Bees Daniel Weintraub, Ever since Cruz Bustamante entered the race, it's been assumed that California's Indian tribes were going to pool their money and do independent expenditures on his behalf, expensive ads that get around the $21,000 limit on contributions. Now I am hearing rumblings that the Indians might think about helping Cruz in a more creative way as well. If they spent, say, $4 million on behalf of state Sen. Tom McClintock, the most conservative Republican in the race, they might pump McClintock's numbers up while hurting Arnold and not harming Cruz a bit. Remember, Cruz needs a split GOP vote to win. That would be one way to get it. The reliably Democratic Indian tribes, loyal to Bustamante, would essentially throw their weight behind McClintock to chip away at the support of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the GOP front-runner. The Democrat strategy with regard to Tom McClintock is: If you know you can beat em, join em.
McClintock is unfazed by this conniving scheme and is more than happy to play along. His actions suggest that hes willing to make allies with loyal Democratic groups under the logic, the enemy of my enemy (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is my friend. On August 28th, McClintock and Bustamante went together before the California Nations Indian Gaming Association to pledge their support. Needless to say, money will follow. Whether McClintock knows it or not, hes being used by the Left. If Democrat allies can keep McClintock in the game, they can put a cap on Arnolds support. A recent Los Angeles Times poll shows Bustamante with 35% of the vote and McClintock with 12%. The poll indicates that McClintock will lose decisively but more importantly, his vote will ensure that GOP front-runner Schwarzenegger loses as well.
It doesnt have to be this way. McClintock could see the light and do whats best for the party as Bill Simon did by bowing out of the race. Other than his new Democratic support, the picture continues to grow bleaker for McClintock. The Washington Post and Sacramento Bee are reporting that there will be a record turnout for the recall election. This invalidates the early calculus by McClintock supporters - that in a low turnout election, grassroots could carry the day. Further, the base is growing more familiar with Schwarzeneggers conservatism Arnold came out against partial-birth abortion, against gay marriage, and for a constitutional spending cap.
There comes a time when personal ambition must be set aside and self-affirming but false justifications for ones candidacy need to be reexamined. If McClintock stays in the California Senate, and assuming Arnold wins the governorship, he and Arnold could play the good-cop/bad-cop routine to perfection, mirroring President Bush and Tom Delays efforts at the national level. Additionally, McClintock may be well positioned to challenge Barbara Boxer in next years US Senate race. However, if McClintock persists with his spoiler campaign and throws the election to Bustamante, it is doubtful he will have any political capital for a future race.
But assuming things stay the way they are, with McClintocks help, Bustamante and the Democrats may well pull off an upset of a lifetime on Election Day.
Thank heavens. I'm sure McClintock will be happy to have another supporter in the fight !
I thought so.
By the way, your "nose" is running. Here's a tissue.
Good to hear.
"What are YOU going to do for pocket money when Cruz closes up the ol' checkbook after the election?"
But you're the one lookin' for work, dude. ;-)
2003 SurveyUSA Election Polls
Sorted: Newest Data on Top
Last Updated: 8/26/03
8/26/2003
Schwarzenegger
45%
Bustamante
29%
McClintock
11%
Ueberroth
6%
Huffington
3%
Other
4%
Undecided
2%
Data Collected
8/23/03 - 8/25/03
Geography
State of California
Universe
572 Certain Voters
Margin of Error
4.2%
Client
KABC-TV Los Angeles
KGTV-TV San Diego
KPIX-TV San Francisco
KXTV-TV Sacramento
Really ? RI is more liberal than CA and they just elected a (gasp !) CONSERVATIVE Republican as Governor. There goes your theory.
Is this how you win arguments, sunshine ? You lost. ;-)
Oh, don't worry about me, FRiend. That's what severance packages and savings are for. I look on it as a vacation, rather like the ones you seem to take from FR so frequently.
Well I appreciate you watching after my political soul. Okay, I've disappointed you. Well, you've disappointed me with your support for a liberal RINO called Arnold.
Do you remember last night when you compared me to Bill Clinton? You did the right thing and apologized, but I haven't come after you with any personal attacks or insults. Now have I? I'm even answering you. That's more then can be said for your rudeness towards me over a long time frame.
And exactly what did I say on this thread that upset you? 99% of what I said was hardcore political rhetoric. Nothing more. Was it my use of the term RINO... RINO rot... silly boy... disruptor... BFD... delusional. Everyone of those remarks came about because some "Arnoldnut" decided to take after me. I refuse to sit still and be abused by people who support a liberal and oppose a conservative.
Now, you may not like to hear this, but the facts are the facts. Reagan's 11th commandment, which he "borrowed" from California State GOP Chairman Gaylord Parkenson, didn't apply to Democrat's and liberals. Today, we can add to that short list the political term, RINO. Reagan would never have supported a candidate who was pro-abortion, pro-gun control and pro-gay (special) rights. Reagan also was a supply sider who believed in tax cuts and tax reform. Reagan also supported the idea of spending cuts and actually cut non-military discreationary spending in his first three years as POTUS.
Arnold can't even give Californian's his economic recovery plan for the Golden State. Not until after the election. Arnold won't take the no tax pledge either. Arnold hires Warren Buffet, a well known big government, liberal Democrat.
Republicans should never set aside their principles and vote for a liberal, just because he has an R next to his name. Never!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.