Bustamante, McClintock (team up) threaten to quit debate (joint letter demanding rules be changed)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Sept. 18, 2003 | ERICA WERNER

[FairOpinion]

Arnold Schwarzenegger's top two gubernatorial opponents plan to sign a letter threatening to boycott the one debate he is going to attend unless organizers switch to an unscripted format, aides said Thursday.

Aides to Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock said they agreed to send jointly a letter to the California Broadcasters Association asking for the format change.

[SteveH]

The single hot button issue at the state level and the one which motivated the recall is excessive taxing and spending. Tom's campaign is all about reducing taxing and spending at the state level. Arnold may be a nice guy and a former military person. No problem. But he is already making himself beholden to liberals by promising a lot, which could cost a lot. His single political success is a feelgood for-the-kids measure, not more defense spending. With Tom, less government waste means a stronger economy and more tax revenues for defense spending. Arnold's mushy feelgood stuff may mean less money in the long run for defense spending. Paring down the cost of government is central to focusing government on its primary role, defense.

Arnold has yet to be able to articulate his ideas better than Tom, and he has always avoided sharing the stage with Tom in a fair debate. Does that seem like the mark of a courageous and self-confident individual or a leader?

[alwaysconservative]

I've given more thought about your suggestion to report the Indian gaming money to the Secretary of State; more and more, that seems to be a good suggestion. No Dim will complain, since it works to their advantage. It has to come from a Republican who is being disenfranchised.

[Roscoe]