[Scott from the Left Coast]

I think we have to take McClintock at his word that he won't pull out of the race. That doesn't mean that he will continue to pull his current percentage in the polls, however. He did not go after Arnold in the debate -- if he thought he could leapfrog the pack, he probably would have. Now it isn't so much whether he will withdraw or not, but whether he will continue the tone of the debate (stay with his issues) or go after Arnold with "red meat" attacks.

I suspect he will stick with his debate tone for the rest of the election, and give Arnold a pass -- tacitly allowing the late bleed-off of some of his support to Arnold.

Just a guess because obviously I have no idea what is in McClintock's mind...but regardless, I don't think that McClintock remaining in the race will necessarily throw the race to Busta. It could, sure, but the liklihood from tonight is that Arnold will win anyway, albeit a close race, because the unions will ensure that Democrats get as much of their base out as will tolerate Busta -- which isn't all of it, for sure.

[Torie]

Good post and take I suspect.