Tom McClintock - The conscience of a conservative?

MensNewsDaily ^ | Sept. 19, 2003 | Bob Chandra

[FairOpinion]

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.

[FairOpinion]

EXCELLENT editorial

[FairOpinion]

This editorial really lays it on the line.

The writer must have been reading our posts. ;)

[RDangerfield]

Yes, McClintock has paid his dues, waited his time, did the work for the cause and walked the walk. And he's ruining the debut of Ahnold who decided this year that he wants to be governor and talks the talk. Shame on McClintock for getting in Ahnold's way.
--Raoul

[byteback]

I like McClintock but he's just too stupid to see that he's being used by the left. I really doubt that Ahnold would run again in 2006 so Tommy boy should get behind the party and emerge as the front runner in '06. He'd then have the party, the money and the support to give it a real shot.

[South40]

Does McClintock see that the Left is using him? Maybe there's a reason it's called "blind" ambition.

The left is using him like he's using his "blind" followers.

But those of us who don't want to see bustamante elected are without principles.

lol!

[bootyist-monk]

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.

Game. Set. Match. Thanks for playing, McClintamante.

[onyx]

It is impossible to earnestly refute the last paragraph.

[Tabi Katz]

I'm not denying that McClintock may have selfish motives for running, but another way to look at this is that it's Arnold that's dividing the right by masquerading as a Republican and siding with the left on many issues.

[BunnySlippers]

Thanks for the ping. The article is dead on.

[El Gato]

reason McClintock doesn't care that his spoiler candidacy

Isn't the person who enters the race second considered the spoiler?

[Victoria Delsoul]

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.

His pedantry and conceited attitude were indicative of untrustworthiness. I'm glad I kept low expectations regarding this individual, because I know I haven't been disappointed.

[FairOpinion]

"The left is using him (McClintock) like he's using his "blind" followers.

But those of us who don't want to see bustamante elected are without principles."

===

BINGO on both counts!

[South40]

The question now is...

Since they know they are being used will they continue to allow it to happen?

[BlackElk]

You like it so much that you post it again and again. Now its the mean Indians who are trying to hold up the Schwarzenkennedy WIN!!!!! for abortion, taxpayer subsidy of lavender "domestic partnership" (don't Lance and Bruce make lovely brides?), lavender adoptions so that Lance and Brice can share their "love" with inocent children, gun control, tax hikes worse than Pete Wilson's and spending hikes worse than Gray Doofus's. And don't forget, Indians are a left wing interest group. Unlike Planned Barrenhood, Lambda Legal Defense, Log Cabin "Republicans", Handgun Control, Inc., the National Education Association and the othe groups grazing Arnold's back 40??????

When you tire of inaccurate horse race handicapping and get some PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES, be sure to let the Republicans and other conservatives know about them.

[BlackElk]

The editorial for that nationally renowned "Men's News Daily" probably wrote not only that editorial but also your posts. Are you the editor or are there actually two of you?

[BonnieJ]

He is not that prsuasive of a candidate, anyway. There must be someone better to carry the banner for conservatives in California, when the time does come when one can be elected to state office again. Meantime, many of us across the U.S. would be thrilled with a Governor Schwarzenegger and especially compared to what we have now!

[bootyist-monk]

Isn't the person who enters the race second considered the spoiler?

No. That would be the one who is down by 20 to 25 points. And the one that is colluding with the other side to throw the election.

[BlackElk]

No it's not. On the basis of public policy, McClintock is the only Republican in the race and he is not an obstacle to his own candidacy. Certainly none of ArnieCruzaDoofus are Republicans.

[Rudder]

The Faction of Uncompromsing Conservatives touted this man as God's gift to ethics in action, a principled conservative for all to behold.

They can have their litmus-test, single-issue "principles." Thankfully, rational conservatives look at the bigger picture.

[South40]

he is not an obstacle to his own candidacy.

When he comments that he wouldn't mind a bustamante win because it would help his own self-interests, yes he is.