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

[Princeliberty]

I think what McClintock in mind was if someone else
like Simon, or some Republican Congressman had
become clear alternative to Arnold he would
have dropped out for them not he would drop
out for Arnold a RINO.

He is closing in on Arnold and he has favorable
to negative ratio is much better than Arnold's
or Cruz's.

He also is about to kick Arnold's butt tonight!

[Smogger]

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.

I couldn't have said it any better.

[CyberCowboy777]

Because they fight - hard.

Because the donate - allot.

Because nine times out of ten they are Absolutely RIGHT.

Because you WILL need them - Oct 7th and beyond.

It is not about criticizing - it is about not treating them like you treat Hillary. That is wrong, just as it is wrong to treat Arnold supporter like Hillary supporters.

You should care a great deal and if you don't - you really have no clue as to the party makeup and what is needed to win.

[cake_crumb]

"I guarantee that if the vote is close but Arnold pulls it out the ACLU will file."

Yes, the ACLU will file, over the same precincts and same punch card ballots they did not file over in the case of Grey.

[Smogger]

Like the man said. I call their bluff.

I don't want to have anything to do with people that rely on what amounts to political extortion.

I support Arnie because he has the best chance of winning. If McClintock had the best chance of winning I would be supporting him. I have never voted for Arnie before. I voted for McClintock a mere 11 months ago. Now I gotta listen to some self-rightous moron spout off how we (Arnie supporters) are all unprincipled RINO's if we support Arnie? I don't think so. I have got nothing but venom for those bastards. I haven't said bad thing about McClintock except that he can't win. Some of his supporters, however, can kiss my unprincipled a**.

[cake_crumb]

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

I beg to agree, sort of : allowing Busty or Grey to win if your candidate cannot is surrender....and surrender IS defeat.

[CyberCowboy777]

Justice is only getting what they want.

I hope enough of my fellow McClintock vote for Arnold so that we can avoid this. Big enough margins will void any claims they make.

[cake_crumb]

"Davis & Busty are the enemy. How best to defeat them is open to debate, but shooting potential allies is just foolish!"

Well said ; bears repeating....OFTEN.

[CyberCowboy777]

It is not extortion to offer support for certain promises.

It is not extortion to voice concerns and take a stand to say that if those concerns are not dealt with you will not support a candidate.

These people have real concerns that Arnold should address. Will he get them all - no. But he can get enough to win.

Name calling on both side is WRONG - If you participate you are no better than that self-righteous moron.

Your candidate has set an example - yet many of his supporters do not follow. Is he that bad of a leader or are you unable to control yourself for the greater good?

[CyberCowboy777]

"Davis & Busty are the enemy. How best to defeat them is open to debate, but shooting potential allies is just foolish!"

Well said ; bears repeating....OFTEN.

BTTT

[68 grunt]

I'm pretty sure Maelstrom is a DU plant.

[68 grunt]

I'm here, you got some bile to throw my way? I'm ready, pour it on!

[68 grunt]

These kids are really funny!

[68 grunt]

If Arnie hadn't grabbed the reigns of history our next governor would be a mexican commie named bustamecha! You're not from California, are you? If you had any internal fortitude you'd fly your flag.

[Maelstrom]

This is also traditional among that sort of "Republican".

[68 grunt]

There is apparently a traditiojn amoung your sort of 'republican'. Its called losing!

[EllaMinnow]

I just heard a great line from Jim Brulte,

"Conservatism is not a suicide cult."

[danmar]

Hey BA your "Hah" button got stuck! ;)

[Maelstrom]

That's your other problem:

Despite your outright lie that you attack the most offensive, a brief review shows that you do not, instead you most often attack those with the strongest arguments.

These facts formed the foundation of my suspicions about you being a DU plant. It's a typical liberal practice to demonize your opponent with lies and slander.

The fact of the matter is that conservatives asked *Why* we should support Arnold. The only answer that was logically consistent was "He can win". This amounts, in principle, to voting for Mrs. Bill Clinton if only (s)he had ran on the Republican ticket.

[68 grunt]

Yeah, yeah, you asked why over and over again, only to be answered again, with logic, reason and numbers, only to want more reasons. I guess you mean by 'your strongest supporters' you mean 'your strongest supporters'. The ones trying to be the most disruptive. Were I a disruptor I would be all over other threads, mainly the pro-McX thread. I merely desire to expose your, and similar, poison. If I get dirty in the process, I don't care, its for a greater good.