Posted on 09/19/2003 6:11:30 AM PDT by Dave S
Tom McClintock - The conscience of a conservative?
September 19, 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Bob Chandra
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In recent days, Tom McClintock, the "other Republican" in California's recall race, has accepted a million dollars spent on his behalf by a left-wing special interest group. He has claimed that a Democrat victory in the recall election would be desirable, as it would better his chances in 2006. And he has joined with Democrat Cruz Bustamante in a boycott against fellow Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger. This is the man we're supposed to believe represents the conscience of conservatism? At the end of the day, Tom McClintock's Faustian Pact with the Left has made one thing clear - it's all about Tom McClintock.
The $1 million to be spent on McClintock's behalf is by Indian gambling interests, a staunch Democratic special interest. I wrote about the possibility of left-wing special interests backing McClintock in order to divide Republicans several weeks back. Now it is a reality. The Sacramento Bee has announced that the Morongo tribe is spending $1 million to boost McClintock's candidacy and it's not because they want him to win. The money spent on McClintock is meant to split the Republican vote so their loyal servant, Democrat Cruz Bustamante, can emerge the winner. With enough left- wing money, McClintock can steal enough votes from Arnold to make that happen. Tom's win-at-any-cost mindset has him collaborating with leftist groups who want nothing more than a divided Right to throw the election to Bustamante. Does McClintock see that the Left is using him? Maybe there's a reason it's called "blind" ambition.
McClintock's partnership with the liberal special interests raises serious questions about his loyalty to the GOP. McClintock has said he puts his personal "principles" before the party. But there's a deeper reason McClintock doesn't care that his spoiler candidacy will doom Republicans in the recall race.
In a conversation with US Congressman Dan Burton, Tom McClintock said the following: he (McClintock) didn't mind it if Democrats win the gubernatorial race because it could improve his own chances in 2006. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Burton, one of the more conservative members of Congress, also said McClintock had seemed to suggest that it would be acceptable for a Democrat to hold the governor's office, because he might create a clamor for a Republican in 2006.". So that's what this is really about. If McClintock can't win, he can at least prevent the Republicans from winning so he has a better shot in 2006. Aren't we glad he's playing for our team?
McClintock is now collaborating with Cruz Bustamante to boycott the California Broadcasters Association's debate on the 24th as a means of showing up Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bustamante led the boycott charge on October 17th with McClintock soon followed his lead. When you see a Republican siding with a Democrat against a fellow Republican, you know something is wrong with the picture. Don't adjust your set- this is Tom McClintock, the self-styled conscience of conservatism.
As if things couldn't get any worse, McClintock is justifying his candidacy on a poll strategically conducted by the left-wing Los Angeles Times, which wants nothing more than to keep him in the race. That Times' poll has been debunked by Field and even invalidated by the Times' own reporting. It added 6% more self-identified conservatives than other polls and naturally gave McClintock an artificial 5% bump. But McClintock is clinging to this cooked poll, another leftist ploy, because it serves his interests.
What kind of a conservative lets left-wing interests drive his candidacy like this? The answer is a candidate who is so blind with ambition that he does not see how the Left is using him to their own ends. Thus far, McClintock has claimed he stands for principle, but it is obvious that his hopeless candidacy is based on personal ambition. It's no longer appropriate to view McClintock as merely a misguided crusader. He is a bigger threat to Republican victory on Election Day than Cruz Bustamante. Up until now, McClintock has responded to arguments for stepping aside with denial, delusion, and arrogance. Given his collaboration with the Left, Republicans must get serious with him. McClintock's "stalking horse" candidacy must come to an end.
Bob Chandra
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Chandra is a Bay Area Republican activist. He was involved as a strategist for Linda Rae Hermann's campaign against Mike Honda for California's 15th congressional district, and he currently serves as a commissioner for the Saratoga library. His email address is bobchandra(at)comcast.net.
Tom McClintock is NOT standing on principle in the sense most of us mean. Mirriam-Websters dictionary defines "principle" as a comprehensive and fundamental rule, doctrine, or assumption (as in "the principle of free speech"). McClinton (a Freudian slip I'm leaving in) is not standing on fundamental rules, or a fundamental doctrine, but his own fundamental assumption that he, and only he, has the correct answers to California's problems.
Worse, he has made it crystal clear over the last month that his political enemy is not the Leftist Governor whom the recall was intended to unseat, nor the Leftist Lt. Governor who is presently the front runner in the race to replace Davis. No, McClintock's enemy is a member of his own political party — and he is going out of his way to sow deep divisions within that party.
That makes McClintock a true demagogue — a leader who makes use of popular prejudices, and false claims and promises in order to gain power.
Over the past year, his ego has received a huge jolt of limelight, and he is really getting off on it. He is a relatively unknown member of the minority party in a state legislature who has suddenly been catapulted to the national spotlight, and he is most thoroughly enjoying his 15 minutes. Tom McClintock is what and who matters above all else to Tom McClintock — and he doesn't care who he has to use or climb over to claw his way to the top.
B.S. Denial is a river in Egypt for you as well I guess? LOL
NO, McClintock is acting as an enemy of the Republican party at this point and Arnold is a lock without McClintock, especially if he suggested his folks vote for Arnold as he withdrew.
As a matter of fact, at this point, the only possible future Tom can salvage in the Republican party is if he soon drops out and IN ADDITION backs Arnold and campaigns for him. Otherwise his future in California Politics is about as bright as Gary Condit's! LOL Tom has become an ego driven joke.
I used to believe that it was stupidity.
But the tribal gaming contributions don't require one to be intelligent to see the intent--only honest.
Yeah, especially since he's a professional politician who hasn't done squat in the private sector his entire adult life. What he'd probably do is become a lobbyist — if he can learn to bend his "principles" for his clients, that is.
I'm sure he's a fast learner, and will demonstrate that ability to learn rapidly as soon as the check clears.
You post something outrageous and unsourced, and then proceed to get huffy over a conditional insult...
Arnold said in his interview with O'rielly that he would not advocate sending Illegals home that were already here.
That's not granting amnesty. Thank you for playing.
Your admission to being a despicable piece of filth is accepted in advance.
That is the truth! This is just beyond bizarre to watch them spin McC's signing on with Cruz against Arnold. This forum would have exploded if Arnold had done the same thing and I can guarantee you that I would have been out there calling for people to vote for McC if the situations were reversed. I would not have continued to support Arnold if he had tag teamed with Cruz.
Now we have McC throwing in with Cruz and the spin is flying from the McC folks. Guess we were all right when we said Arnold supporters would support McC if Arnold dropped out but some McC supporters would never support Arnold. Says more about McC supporters on here then it does about Arnold IMO.
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