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

[Mr Rogers]

To posts 203 & 209: Amen! It seems to escape some folks that honorable people can disagree about how best to get conservative principles enacted.

If folks want to debate "Can he win?" vs "Is he conservative enough", fine - but trying to alienate other conservatives with name-calling seems mighty short-sighted to me.

[Smogger]

Is he that bad of a leader or are you unable to control yourself for the greater good?

How is it that I have "failed to control myself?"

[CyberCowboy777]

You must take the question in its entirety.

Of course I assume you agree with your leader. Am I wrong?

Bashing Tom and/or Tom supporters goes against Arnolds position. Do you disagree with him or are just not able to control yourself?

[journey7873]

Yes I have been to Thousand Oaks. I lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for 3 years.

[Smogger]

Bashing Tom and/or Tom supporters goes against Arnolds position. Do you disagree with him or are just not able to control yourself?

I haven't bashed McClintock's supporters in general. I have and will continue to take specific McClintock supporters to task if they attack me specifically or Arnold's supporters in general. And out-of-staters are on paticularly thin ice.

[CyberCowboy777]

While I am fairly certain that they could care less how thin your ice is.

I will take my comment back.

Your post #205 seemed like bashing McClintock's supporters in general. I take it that it was not.

I hope so many like you on both sides will come out of this dust up ready to do some real work.

[Smogger]

While I am fairly certain that they could care less how thin your ice is.

Less relavent than their opinions of who should be governor in a state then they don't even live in?

Doubtful.

[Smogger]

As for post #205 if a McClintock supporter is self-rightously spouting off about how Arnie's supporters are all unprincipled RINO's then, as they say, if the shoe fits...

[Tamzee]

Sorry... I dislike debating with you. You DO NOT read the other person's posts, it was evident last night when you kept calling Dana Rohrabacher a SHE when I specifically told you prior to that he is a gentleman AND referred to him as a HE in the post prior to that one.

Your whole aim is just to constantly make points you want to... you don't need me to bash for that.

Go find someone else, you'll just keep saying the same things anyways.

[novacation]

Arnold is so far left his boat is going to tip over. McClintock may lose the election but will be the winner in the debate. Ahnold is soft on illegals. Probably has a bunch of them cleaning his house and waxing his cars.

[Maelstrom]

Sorry I did it once.

However, you don't have the tolerance to debate anyway.

Insult first and wonder why people aren't nice.

And...

...all we did was ask *why* we should vote for Arnold.