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

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Worth taking another peek at for a discussion of all that McClintock integrity.

[Snerfling]

A couple of key decisions over the next 24 hours are either going to make or break McC's political career. Let's hope he makes the right choice and is welcomed back into the fold.

[kattracks]

ping

[Bikers4Bush]

Yeah, because posing butt naked for a homosexual photographer just screams integrity.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

He's not worth welcoming back. There was a time a couple of weeks ago when he could have done that, but his true colors have shown all too well.

[mewzilla]

Well...I'd take an exhibitionist over a liar. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

LOL - If I looked like him back then, I'd have gone out of my way to have everybody look at me.

[Bikers4Bush]

It won't come to that, you'll vote for arnold and get both.

[FairOpinion]

"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. "

=== Do "principled conservatives" usually break their pledges?

[Tamzee]

Thanks for the FYI :-)

I saw Issa on Cavuto yesterday and he stated this precisely... McClintock promised he wouldn't let himself become a spoiler in the race.

Issa also said that there are TWO FISCAL CONSERVATIVES in this recall, Schwarzenegger and McClintock.

[PhiKapMom]

This is just one more to add to the list of why McC is not a "principled" conservative. The list keeps growing by the day!

[cake_crumb]

Oh man...this is quite the contradiction to his statements to Hannity that he would NOT drop out even if he were still behind and his staying in would hand the governorship to Busty.

I sense another major flame war a-brewin'

[FairOpinion]

""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."


===

The "right time" was Sept 8th, when people were starting to send in their absentee ballots.

And he is still in the race, when it's way PAST time.

And is running those ridiculous ads, claiming he can win.

Pathetic.

[FairOpinion]

ping

[hobbes1]

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.


In a sense both tickets are currently split, McClintock needs to hang around until about 5 days out, (Friday Before the election) then Get out very publicly.

[onyx]

=== Do "principled conservatives" usually break their pledges?

No, but McWampum has proved to be less than "principled" in many areas.

[zencat]

With all the endorsements Arnold is picking up, if McClintock doesn't get out and causes Arnold to lose a close race, he'll be persona non grata in Republican circles...

I think he's moving in that direction already. And for what? Principle, you say? He can keep his principles, I'd prefer not to have Davis or Bustamante continue to destroy California.

[FairOpinion]

"Do "principled conservatives" usually break their pledges?"

"No, but McWampum has proved to be less than "principled" in many areas."

===

That was my point exactly. Tom only cares about Tom, never mind promises, decency, party, the wellbeing of CA, etc.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

That presumes that he has any sense whatsoever and that this is part of a coherent plan.

I don't think he is that smart or that principled based on the things he has said and done in this campaign, as well as by the palpable frustration you are seeing within the party.