Issa: McClintock Promised, 'I Won't be a Spoiler'

NewsMax.com ^ | 9/24/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Before the California recall race got under way, gubernatorial candidate Tom McClintock made a private pledge to step aside if his campaign threatened to spoil Republican chances to take power in Sacramento.

That was the bombshell revelation yesterday from the driving force behind the recall movement, Rep. Darryl Issa, who described to nationally syndicated radio host Sean Hannity a conversation he had with the conservative favorite several months ago.

"When I talked to Tom even before he got in, he told me a couple of things that when you have these kind of conversations you never forget," Issa told Hannity.

"He said, 'Look, I'm not going to be in this race if it's not a crowded field. I know the numbers for a conservative. And I'm not going to stay in and be a spoiler.'"

"Those are two quotes that he told me directly over the phone," Issa claimed. He then pointed out, "It was a crowded field, it's no longer a crowded field. And he does have to make ... a tough decision."

The Republican congressman predicted that McClintock would ultimately keep his word.

"Tom McClintock, if the numbers stay where they are, has an opportunity to be the hero," Issa told Hannity. "He has the chance to be a real hero and I believe that he is a good man and he will take that chance at the right time."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
California Governor's Race

[Poohbah]

Did you read the FR poll results that JimRob posted a while back breaking down the McClinbtock and Arnold supporters by California and non-California?

If FR Californians represented the average California voter, we'd be recalling Governor Simon.

[68 grunt]

That attitude is petty and vindictive.

[68 grunt]

Oh, sweet irony!

[jmc813]

we'd be recalling Governor Simon.

Why would Simon be getting recalled?

[Mr Rogers]

He may or may not have been gracious to Tom. He certainly has NOT been gracious to social conservatives. And if FR is any indications, his supporters have poured out enough bile for a lifetime.

Of course, a lot of republicans care only for economic issues. I don't ridicule them for wanting our taxes well spent; I wish they would at least hold fire on my social concerns.

[cake_crumb]

You have that backward. ARNOLD is a compromise for conservatives. CA's voter demographics prove that McClintoc has no chance to win. Arnold is too conservative for some CA voters. McClintock is too convervative for many more. The polls prove that, evan if you don't put much stock in polls.

Arnie's piece in the WSJ

"I have often said that the two people who have most profoundly impacted my thinking on economics are Milton Friedman and Adam Smith. At Christmas I sometimes annoy some of my more liberal Hollywood friends by sending them a gift of Mr. Friedman's classic economic primer, "Free to Choose." What I learned from Messrs. Friedman and Smith is a lesson that every political leader should never forget: that when the heavy fist of government becomes too overbearing and intrusive, it stifles the unlimited wealth creation process of a free people operating under a free enterprise system.

[68 grunt]

Yeah, but that should be Governor Posing-Butt-Naked, to you.

And, Governor Stand-Up-Under-Pressure!

[68 grunt]

LOL!

[68 grunt]

Bile invites bile.

[luckystarmom]

Same goes here!

[CyberCowboy777]

You may well find out the hard way that Tom's 14% is not 1% hard core.

Arnold will only lose if Arnold supporters cause it.

intolerant and bigoted on the right? You are choosing the wrong battles.

[68 grunt]

That, sir, is an empty threat. Not all the (inflated) 14% are McWackoos. For the most part they are good and true and Christian and generally outstanding folks. The ones that would be vindictive are those who I see as intolerant and bigoted. I am extremely tired of their little tantrums and empty threats. Their bluff is called, they may play their cards anyway they choose.

[Bikers4Bush]

CA needs to be the frontline in stopping the illegal alien invasion and with aaaaanold in there it won't do jack.

[Paradox]

How do you know, that he is not staying in long enough, to give the illusion of a split pubbie ticket, so that the Dems, seeing Arnold with a huge lead (Over 15 points) dont start pushing the 'No to Recall' angle.

You know, I was thinking something similar as well. What if this is a ruse by the Pubbies to keep the Demo attack dogs off of Arnold, or whomever the front runner is. By allowing the Repubs to "eat their own", the democrats back off, helping Arnold especially since he apparently has some bad things to dredge (drudge?) up in his background...

[skeeter]

CA's voter demographics prove that McClintoc has no chance to win. Arnold is too conservative for some CA voters. McClintock is too convervative for many more.

I always have to chuckle when I hear this asserted with such authority, especially from the east coast.

Bill Simon, who could barely speak for his feet in his mouth and who ran one of the most inept campaigns in state history, came to within 5% of beating Davis last year.

With a larger turnout than we will undoubtedly have next month.

Before Davis' lies became widely know.

With the dims base far more motivated than they are now.

What you claim is simply untrue.

[CyberCowboy777]

Pissing off the Tom vote is petty and vindictive.

And will cost Arnold the win.

You have an attitude that is unjustly applied to a great number of those on the Social Conservative side. The rabid on the far far right vote for a much different candidate than Tom.

You have underestimated the good on that side and Arnold may well miss out on their force.

Hopefully your tactics will be ignored as Arnold tires to rise above and lead. I pray enough conservatives will forgive your personal ax grinding and vote Arnold anyway.

[Mr Rogers]

Only amongst the immature. I refuse to slam Arnold for things he did 20-30 years ago. I don't call him names of any sort. Why? Because I want some of his supporters to think about the issues.

We're getting close to the election (yes, there have been absentee ballots cast already - by folks who have concluded nothing will change their minds over the next few days.) If Tom has no chance (vs outside chance), then many of his supporters will vote for Arnold.

I won't. Why? One - I can't vote. I'm active duty in CA, but have kept my residence elsewhere - I'm in CA against my will. However, I pay a ton of taxes to CA, so I figure I have a right to express an opinion. Two - Arnold has made it clear he despises most of the things that make me a republican. Why should I support a candidate who despises what I hold dear?

I'll be stuck with a ton of CA taxes no matter who gets in.

[hobbes1]

Exactly. Divide (Their resources) and Conquer.



I will hold my judgement of MCClintock, until after Next Friday.


The way I see it, if he gets out on Friday, it will generate Major Weekend news buzz, and leave the dummies no time to launch an effective counterattack on Arnold.

With the 4 remaining days before the election, they could hit a couple of Big Stops together, and make a show of Unity.

[68 grunt]

That was very nicely said, and I accept your criticism.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Bill Simon, who could barely speak for his feet in his mouth and who ran one of the most inept campaigns in state history, came to within 5% of beating Davis last year.

You omit to mention, of course, that Davis was hugely unpopular and could have been beaten handily by a diseased goat based on the numbers going into the race. In the end, Simon blew what should have been a commanding victory.