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

[PhiKapMom]

For the 100th time, own property in CA, may return to live there someday and have a vested interest in the CA Governor's race! Does that bother you?

[68 grunt]

I've got seniority on you! ;^)

[CyberCowboy777]

If Arnold is as bad as we think - let them have him.

It will prove that you can't send a 'Progressive' Republican in to do a Conservatives Job.

Arnold WILL BE BETTER than Cruz.

[kingu]

McClintock needs to hang around until about 5 days out, (Friday Before the election) then Get out very publicly.

And in the mean time, another million votes are cast. Today is the first day that those in Los Angeles County can go to one of twelve locations to vote via touch-screen machines. These centers are open seven days a week until election day. In addition, many absentee voters who were holding back their vote until after the courts decided if the recall was going to be pushed back are mailing them.

Tom doesn't need to hang in any further. The best thing he could do is the first comment at the debate should be to say he's withdrawing himself as a candidate and supporting Arnold Schwarzenegger, and spend the remaining time of the debate supporting the Republican viewpoint against the three leftist rogues.

I think we both know that what is best will not happen.

[NittanyLion]

Ad hominem? Against McX? He is a liar and a hypocrite, its a fact. And you support him? Where are your principles?

Pathetic.

[RGSpincich]

This is a different one. This one he voted "YES" on with the CAPE organization. Red discovered this a couple of days ago.

go here to read more

[Nonstatist]

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

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

[68 grunt]

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

The poster you addressed is not from California, but I am, so I will venture an answer. If McClintock wins the primary I would vote for him against boxer, but there is no way in heck that I'd vote for him in the primary.

[CyberCowboy777]

Arnold has plenty of his own shortcomings, more than Tom.

If we were to vote only for the cleanest of clean we would have to recruit Jesus Christ himself.

Lets look at the facts:

Tom is a better Conservative than Arnold - that is a fact.

Tom would stand up to the Libs more than Arnold - that is a fact.

Tom would press for real and substantial change - that is a fact.

Tom will not win - that is a fact.

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

You are not doing Arnold any favors.

[FairOpinion]

"This is a different one. This one he voted "YES" on with the CAPE organization. Red discovered this a couple of days ago."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/987568/posts?page=369#369

===

WOW!

I had no idea. Thanks.

Another nail in his "conservative values" coffin!

[skeeter]

I've got seniority on you! ;^)

So you do.

('98 was a good year, no?)

[Bikers4Bush]

Not to me, I got smart and moved out of that state years ago.

[68 grunt]

Yes, I agree, McX'es lies and hypocrisy are pathetic!

[CyberCowboy777]

Keep slamming Tom - we will know who to blame when Cruz wins.

[NittanyLion]

Yes, I agree, McX'es lies and hypocrisy are pathetic!

Sheesh. You argue like a little kid. What's next - I'm rubber and you're glue?

[onyx]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for posting this SHOCKING information.

[68 grunt]

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

Actually, I agree with much you say, especially the fact that McX will not win.

The ones I want to leave are those that would leave. We are better off without them. They are less than 1% and we would recieve far more votes than we would lose. 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.

[jmc813]

Yes, fool, but PKM has a vested interest in this recall election! She OWNS property in CA! Get it?

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 only Californians were allowed on these threads, you Arnold folks would be more outnumbered than you are now.

[mewzilla]

Well, actually I won't vote :) I'm a NYSer. But I am interested in this election. Given the size and importance of CA's economy, how could I not be? And while I'm not too thrilled with Ahhnold, I'm even less impressed with McC lately. I just hope to Heaven that the recall's approved, and Busty doens't win.

[68 grunt]

We'll be on the same side the next argument. Most likely, anyway ;^)