TOM MCCLINTOCK DAILY EDITION - 9/15/03 (CA GOVERNOR'S RACE)

[Rabid Dog]

Please post local, regional, national news and views on Tom McClintock. This is a news and info thread. The following guidelines for posting are per DoughtyOne's most excellent suggestion.

McClintock Camp - Supporters or Defenders

Please post positive articles about Tom's policies and leave the Schwarzenegger bashing to the Democrats.

Schwarzenegger Camp - Supporters or Defenders

The call for McClintock to withdraw right now, or the tactic of calling him and his followers names for not doing so, is not productive and isn't good for the party.

Please save the Rino Arnold/Unelectable Tom rants for other threads.

[Rabid Dog]

I'd say it would be good for Tom, not so good for Arnold, not good for Bustamante and Davis. And really bad for all the other candidates.

I know it isn't good for me - I can't handle the stress anymore!!!

[Rabid Dog]

As you know the Republican Convention was this weekend. Arnold had lots of cheering fans, high schools bands, rock bands, etc. (Amazing what money will buy). His speech was widely covered and analyzed. Consistantly, Media and G.O.P. insiders say he is the man that can win.

Tom also had his cheering section but didn't have the Hollywood glitz factor. His speech was not covered. As soon as a transcript is available it will be posted. Consistantly, media and G.O.P. insiders say he is the man that has the expertise.

Should be more press on the convention today and tomorrow - suprised I didn't see more in the local paper.

If you get a chance, check out yesterday's thread - had some good posts on it regarding what is going on in the CA republican party.

[Rabid Dog]

Good job!

[Rabid Dog]

McClintock to run for both offices if it comes to that
Sac Bee ^ | 9-15 | Dan Weintraub


Posted on 09/15/2003 2:28 PM PDT by ambrose

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/983074/posts

[Rabid Dog]

Dana Rohrbacher: "McClintock is a nerd"
Sean Hannity Radio Show | 9-15


Posted on 09/15/2003 1:48 PM PDT by ambrose


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/983050/posts

[Rabid Dog]

Statement on the Ruling on the Recall Election
Senator Tom McClintock released the following statement on the ruling on the recall election by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"This is simply a distraction and will have no bearing on this election.

"I have every confidence that in a short time the US Supreme Court will allow this election to go forward.

"I want to remind people that the 9th Circuit is the most reversed court - the same court that banned the word under God in the Pledge of Allegiance.

"It has become a national laughing stock. This election is called for by the Constitution and demanded by the people of California."

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Thanks!

[Avoiding_Sulla]

Here's the lyrics
http://www.pascalfervor.com/Beginning%20to%20see%20the%20Right.htm

and here's a sample of the tune at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000J8O5/102-1439414-9651306?v=glance



The tune is upbeat and has great potential to lighten up our allies and recruit new ones, as I've used upbeat language and humor to put the lyrics together. I'm still improving it, and I'm open to suggestions. Any ideas for more or improved stanzas?

Original was by Duke Ellington and Harry James, and later recorded by Sinatra, among others.

I hope DFU finds the time to come through soon with the MIDI.

And what of the campaign? Reach them how?

[SteveH]

On KCBS in the SF Bay it was mentioned that the stock market remained relatively stable on news of the 9th C decision. The spin was that since the market does not like uncertainty, that the fact that the recall date was pushed back without harming the market indicates that the recall itself is viewed negatively by the market (don't ask me, this is the gist of what they said).

I enjoyed hearing McClintock's name at least get a mention on the national news at the top of the hour. It must drive the mainstream media crazy that a guy like McClintock could come even close to winning the Calif. governorship. The impression was given that the recall itself is generally harmful to the fiscal health of the state overall. Certainly the media would have to go off and actually study up for a while just to figure out what McClintock is really trying to do. For the moment it seems as if they don't have a clue...

[SteveH]

I think Tombots ;-) should consider unilaterally lowering the volume of the verbiage in the responses across FR. (Not critizing any particular poster here, just suggesting a general strategy.) If after a reasoned dialogue they don't respond positively, simply thank them for commenting and let them go. Perhaps by refraining from criticizing others, some Arnold supporters might actually start to listen as a first step. Just a thought...

[TERMINATTOR]

[Rabid Dog]

I think most "TomBots" just aren't responding at all - the old iceberg effect - we are just hearing from the 1/7 above water. And I am sure an equal number of Arnold supporters aren't participating either. Why bother when the thread quickly degrades into middle school sludge.

There are about a dozen posters of both persuasion that go from thread to thread arguing - and the fact of the matter is they enjoy arguing, insulting, criticizing, etc. I'm sure some are DU plants - others are just obnoxious.

Virtually everyday on this thread some Arnold supporter will come over and post something obnoxious - often times as soon as the thread goes up. He usually gets ignored for the first post. Then another obnoxious post which will usually elicit a reaction. But for the most part the thread is rant free (and low volume).

I wish somebody in the Arnold camp would start a daily thread where freepers could get news and published views and where rants were minimized. I actually offered to help one of the Arnold supporters to set it up. I would like to have unadorned Arnold material to examine or a place to ask questions or get clarifications.

At this point I just avoid most threads - which is a shame because I do enjoy the dialog I have with fellow freepers.

[kellynla]

from the September 15, 2003 edition - The Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0915/p08s03-comv.html

McClintock's Choice
California's recall race has Republicans in a quandary. They can unite and have a solid opportunity to take back the governor's chair. Or, as they have in the past, they can fight among themselves and stay out in the cold.
Only one Democrat, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, has a serious chance to win if Gov. Gray Davis is recalled. But the Republican vote - after the withdrawals of Bill Simon Jr. and Peter Ueberroth - is split between actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a pragmatist, and state Sen. Tom McClintock, a staunch conservative.

The latest Field Poll shows Mr. Bustamante getting 32 percent of the vote, Mr. Schwarzenegger 27 percent, and Senator McClintock 14 percent. (The margin of error is 4.5 percent.) A Los Angeles Times poll shows McClintock gaining. But many believe that were he to bow out of the race, and his supporters shift to Schwarzenegger, the GOP's chances of winning would rise.

Therein lies the rub. For the past several years the California GOP's pragmatists and conservatives have been unable to unite - a squabble that brought the party to a 50-year low last November, when it lost all eight statewide races. For many years pundits pointed to California as the main reason Republicans nationally held a supposed "lock" on the White House. But state GOP fortunes plummeted in the 1990s, as coastal moderates - liberal on social issues - turned to Bill Clinton and the Democrats.

The math is fairly simple: Most Golden State GOP activists are conservatives. Most voters at present are not. This is not Ronald Reagan's California: The electorate's political and demographic fault lines have shifted markedly since 1990; registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 44 percent to 35 percent. Conservative GOP candidates can coast to victory in certain legislative districts, but they cannot currently garner enough votes to win statewide elections.

With Schwarzenegger, the conservatives can get much of what they want. But they're unhappy with his positions on social issues (abortion, gay rights, gun control) and don't quite trust him on fiscal issues. With McClintock they get a candidate who is ideologically pure, but who will have a difficult time attracting the moderate voters along the coast needed to win election.

Faced with a choice between principle and victory last year, the GOP chose principle - the conservative Mr. Simon defeated former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan in the GOP primary. As a result, the unpopular Governor Davis narrowly won reelection with only 47 percent of the vote.

Despite intense pressure to withdraw, McClintock characteristically vows to stay in the race. His decision may determine the success of California Republicans for years to come.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

or the past several years the California GOP's pragmatists and conservatives have been unable to unite

Is that what they call liberals now?

Faced with a choice between principle and victory last year, the GOP chose principle - the conservative Mr. Simon defeated former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan in the GOP primary.

This again, I'm surprised they aren't going through the canard of how Rioden "would have won if it wasn't for a couple mean comercials from Davis" line I see on here all the time.

As a result, the unpopular Governor Davis narrowly won reelection with only 47 percent of the vote.

Riddled with controversy, plagued by a lack of charisma and campaign themes...who STILL managed to paste the Great Pragmatic Hope. When will these Triangulationists comprehend that Supply Side Reaganomics trump all, and that is the only thing a candidate needs to slaughter his opponents.

[SteveH]

Yes to every single point, absolutely...

[kellynla]

Bush v. Gore Redux?
The recall gets recalled.

By Arnold Steinberg
National Review Online

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — The judges who just threw out California's recall election are liberal and off the reservation. It's not that their decision is implausible. It's a good read, and what they say cannot be summarily dismissed. They relied on considerable precedent for equal protection, and on Bush v. Gore.

But is this case factually distinguishable from Bush v. Gore? I think so. The original federal court judge — Stephen Wilson — ruled that the will of California voters was to have the recall election as soon as possible. Even these judges conceded this is an important decision. But they decided to postpone the election for a few months, anyway — until the March 4 presidential primary. By that time, all the punch-card machines will be replaced. There was a consent decree previously allowing for that phase-out.

But does the Constitution demand the use of the best available technology? These judges argue that equal protection requires the phase-out of punched-card machines. They say the present system provides insufficient assurance of fairness.

The court argues that six major counties, including the populous Los Angeles County, will be using the old chad system. In other words, this would deny people equal protection, because voters in these counties would have a higher error rate than people in other counties with more modern equipment.

The other side (California's attorney general) argues that the postponement of the recall election will be a great hardship for California. Today's decision argues that California should defer to the feds, based on equal protection.

But this three-judge panel decision has a good chance of being overruled by the full Ninth Circuit by as early as Tuesday or Wednesday. Remember, a panel from this court threw out the infamous flag opinion, and that embarrassing decision was quickly overruled by the full Ninth Circuit.

Even if the Ninth Circuit does not act, this will go to the circuit Supreme Court justice. That's Sandra Day O'Connor, and she's not around. Word is that Antonin Scalia could take her place.

The problem is speed. All this must be done quickly. I'm betting the decision is overruled by Wednesday, at the latest. And, in the interim, the state will get permission to keep processing absentee ballots and other election-prep work.

I'm not a lawyer. But I've been involved in lots of elections and court cases. Judges must tread very carefully when it comes to elections. They don't throw people out of office. They don't schedule new elections. They don't overturn elections. And they don't postpone elections.

Unless there's something crucial at stake. After all, they are setting aside the California state constitution — and an election that's virtually impossible to postpone. The ballots have been mailed. Some voters have already sent in their absentee ballots. Indeed, on Friday, county registrars were asked to send data to the Court on just how many they have in.

Gray Davis was elected last year with machines that use punch-card voting. I've participated in hundreds of such elections here in California. Why should he not stay in office, or be thrown out of office, on the same system? There are problems with any election system. And no one can predict if the March 2004 system will work smoothly.

One problem is that the state of California officially conceded in court papers that the current system doesn't work. That compromises the state attorney general's election green-light argument. The state took the position that a new system would be fully in place for the March 2004 election. That's why these judges postpone the election until then.

And a March 2004 election virtually assures Gov. Gray Davis stays in office. By that time, the political car chase will be over with. Sure, voters would be revolted by this decision for awhile, but how long can the spectacle go on? Will we be treated to Arnold campaigning at Thanksgiving? Then at Christmas? How about New Year's Eve? Valentine's Day?

Will the next court decision require voters to be able to spell Arnold's last name?

And what if the recall is in March 2004?And will the recall just totally keep off the Democrat presidential primaries in early 2004?

The real problems here are not with punch card voting and chads. They are with the absurd ballot. It's too long. It has too many names (135). It is seven pages. The list is not alphabetical. But it's still legal.

The reality is that many voters under the current system will vote for more than one candidate. And their ballot will be invalidated. Will some of those voters be disproportionately dense? Yes. Will they be disproportionately Democrat? Possibly. But I'm not yet sure how a new voting system changes existing California law with respect to a long, unalphabetized ballot.

Federal Judges Pregerson, Paez, and Thomas (all appointed by Democrats) are members of a panel with a very high record of being reversed. The losers in today's decision (a 66-page unanimous decision) can go straight to the U.S. Supreme Court but probably will go right to the entire 9th Circuit. This an en banc.

If Justice O'Connor were around, she might ask the full Supreme Court. But I don't think Scalia would. And, I don't think it will ever get to them.

All of this reinforces the Democrat right-wing-conspiracy argument. That the recall is an unfair dirty trick to undo the will of the electorate, when Davis was reelected last November against Bill Simon. Is this Bush v. Gore revisited? Today's decision is a fitting sequel to yesterday's visit by Bill Clinton to the First AME Church in Los Angeles.

One final thought: All this postpones yet again closure on getting Tom McClintock out of the race. It reinforces the volubility and unpredictability of this whole recall election. Anything can happen.

— Arnold Steinberg is a California-based political strategist. http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-steinberg091503.asp

[risk]

Did you both hear what Tom said on TV when asked if the election postponment were anti-democratic? He said yes, it was even authoritarian and French!

I was almost rolling on the floor with laughter! He tosses out great soundbites every time he speaks.

Actually, if the election takes longer to get done (I think the SCOTUS will reject the delays eventually), it could give us more time to figure out what we think about Arnold.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

One final thought: All this postpones yet again closure on getting Tom McClintock out of the race. It reinforces the volubility and unpredictability of this whole recall election. Anything can happen.

This sums up his whole article right here.

The Arnold smoke and mirrors campaign cannot sustain several more months of scrutiny. It will collapse.

[Rabid Dog]

As I think I posted earlier, I think any delay will be to Tom's advantage - nobody else's.

I hope the French quote gets picked up and widely dispersed - it's a classic! What did the host do?

[Rabid Dog]

It will also cost a pretty penny to keep the show going - I think he is budgeting a million a week and really can't afford to back off. If he loses any more momentum - he's doomed because it will be interpreted as a gain for Tom.