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

[Not gonna take it anymore]

"Will you support McClintock if he runs against Boxer in the future?"

I know this question isn't for me but after all I actually do live in California unlike many of the posters to these forums.

I will never vote for McClintock for anything.

He has had 20 years to accomplish something in the lesgislature and he is basically disliked because HE DOESN'T WORK WELL WITH OTHERS.

[Maelstrom]

I'm afraid my post was on a topic.

Contextually, your simplistic response, in the English language refers to the topic at hand.

The topic at hand was whether 68 was a DU plant. So, pardon me for using the English language and feel free to elaborate when you think that a *person* is wrong, not about a topic, but in and of themselves.

170 posted by Maelstrom To 165
165 by Tamsey To 163

I'm pretty sure 68 is a DU plant.

163 posted by Maelstrom To 89

[Maelstrom]

It also reveals something about Arnold's campaign.

I think Tom has valid reasons for his feelings toward Pete Wilson, and with that information comes a significant amount of sympathy for Tom, not Pete.

[Maelstrom]

It may seem that way, but Busty or Greyout aren't a surrender, they're a defeat.

McClintock would have won this election if Arnold hadn't announced at whimsey.

[nosofar]

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.

What's this 'welcomed back into the fold' B.S.? He's a state senator. Has he been excommunicated from the Republican Party because he's made a few Arniebots web their pants?

[Maelstrom]

This is how Liberal Republicans treat conservatives.

This is how they have always treated conservatives. It should ring alarm bells.

[bert]

Tom can have it several ways.

In the debates he can clearly state the conservative line.

He can sniff the wind to learn precisely where he stands.

Before dropping out, he can extract promises.

He can make a last day appeal to all his voters to circle the wagons and vote for Arnold.

[nosofar]

The hypocrisy is amusing.

1) Don't vote on principles. Vote for Arnold because he can WIN.

2) If AS doesn't win because of a split vote, then don't support McClintock. It's better to have a democrat win just to show who's boss.

This reasoning shows up the true colors of those who will support a liberal for 'pragmatic' reasons, but will then refuse to support a conservative out of petty revenge.

[nosofar]

Will you support McClintock if he runs against Boxer in the future?

Of course he won't. He's going to punish McClintock for not bending over like a good conservative.

[Smogger]

The internet and TV are amazing things. They transmit the same info you get in CA straight to my PC (or TV) here in VA.

Really? Do they transmit our sales tax, our state income tax, our gasoline and electricity costs, the conditions of our neighborhoods, roads, and schools, our ethnic makeup, and the general sentiment on the street too? Amazing...

[nosofar]

...aaaaanold in there it won't do jack.

Who does he plan to do, then?

[nosofar]

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...

This would be too devious for many of the Arniebots here. They prefer to judge the outcome of the election before the first vote is counted.

[Smogger]

Thousand Oaks IS the porn capital of America.

Um. That would be Chatsworth.

[nosofar]

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

One of my biggest concerns is that a Schwarzenegger governorship might actually decrease the chance of gaining more seats in the legislature in 2006.

[ambrose]

I notice that you haven't corrected the lying ArnBots who claim that Thousand Oaks is a haven for pornographers. Very telling.

[ambrose]

http://www.joinarnold.com/en/agenda/#E1

"As Governor, I will:
Aggressively lobby Washington to set a more
responsible policy for addressing the undocumented
immigrants currently in the United States.

Deportation is not an option. We need to find a way to
legitimize these individuals and get them on a path
toward legal residency status in the United States. "

"As Governor, I will:
Work to improve education for all Californians and
especially to help new immigrants learn English so
they could participate and prosper as Californians.
Restore meaning to citizenship, so that all Americans,
new and old, share the same commitment to tolerance,
equality, and compassion.
Work with the federal government to provide expedited
consideration of citizenship applications to
immigrants whocomplete advanced civic education and
English immersion programs. "

[ambrose]

http://www.joinarnold.com/en/agenda/#E1

"As Governor, I will:
Aggressively lobby Washington to set a more
responsible policy for addressing the undocumented
immigrants currently in the United States.

Deportation is not an option. We need to find a way to
legitimize these individuals and get them on a path
toward legal residency status in the United States. "

"As Governor, I will:
Work to improve education for all Californians and
especially to help new immigrants learn English so
they could participate and prosper as Californians.
Restore meaning to citizenship, so that all Americans,
new and old, share the same commitment to tolerance,
equality, and compassion.
Work with the federal government to provide expedited
consideration of citizenship applications to
immigrants whocomplete advanced civic education and
English immersion programs. "

[ambrose]

Referring to Thousand Oaks as a porn capital now? Very nice.

You people are just amazing.

[Smogger]

Please let me restate, I do not look at all McClintock supports as fools, nor do I want to alienate them. I do want to alienate the intolerant and bigoted ones. I admit it, freely and proudly.

You mean the self-rightous holier then though ones that call everyone else RINO's, or the out-of-staters? Yeah. Screw them and the horse they road in on.

[Smogger]

Arnold won't win if you piss off too many McClintock supporters - that is a fact.

You are not doing Arnold any favors.

Who gives a s--t? They can go around p----ing on everyone else but no one can criticize them or they'll take their toys and go home? We gotta tip-toe around them so they don't take offense? What a bunch of crybabies.

Who would want people like that in their party?