The Fury of McClintock Scorned

The Los Angeles Times ^ | September 28, 2003 | Tony Quinn

[carbon14]

Why would McClintock risk handing the governorship to the most liberal Democratic candidate on the ballot? The answer is revenge — an irrational emotion in politics that often trumps all others. McClintock is getting even.

McClintock, who was first elected to the Assembly in 1982, has spent almost his entire adult life either holding public office or working in conservative politics. He twice ran for statewide office, losing both times because of defections within his own party.

And it looked as if he would win. But McClintock had enemies in the state's corporate and business communities — at one time he threatened to help trial lawyers sue businesses — and they saw to it that McClintock's campaign stayed starved for funds. As a result, he lost to Democrat Steve Westly in one of the closest races in state history. Just a relative handful of the many political dollars spent on GOP candidates in 2002 would have elected him, but the GOP establishment once again denied him.

[carbon14]

The Indian gaming association knew that he deparately needed money last year against multi-millionaire Westly, but they donated in almost equal amounts to both candidates. That is the smoking gun of what the gaming Indians thought of his 20 years of support.

Now one year later, Indian gaming fears that Schwarzenegger will stipulate the same independent auditing and financial transparency for them as he wants for Sacramento. That is the reason why Indian gaming floods millions into support for the Bustamante-MadClintock team.

[Williams]

bingo. but whatever the reason or the result Mclintock should not be forgiven. Politics 101 tells you not to do what he is doing.

[Humidston]

This piece is tantalizing, but I absolutely refuse to register in order to read it. Could you condense?

[jnarcus]

Now Bustamonte has said nice things about Tom and if I were Tom I would be running as fast as I could to endorse Arnold...but he won't and all his true believers can watch this whole recall be used as a negative in any future elections.....

[EllaMinnow]

But McClintock had enemies in the state's corporate and business communities — at one time he threatened to help trial lawyers sue businesses

What else is there about this? I'm not registered with the LA Times.

[EggsAckley]

Just.....WOW ping

[carbon14]

This piece is tantalizing, but I absolutely refuse to register in order to read it. Could you condense?

I would but I think that LA Times takes legal action if a website consistently did that.

Some people have common user names and passwords they can post.

[Snerfling]

Here's the ending to this article:

"Democrats have little use for the instransigent McClintock. What a great irony if McC keeps the governor's office in Dem hands, and outraged Repubs then drive McC out of state politicts."

[spokeshave]

A Twofer for the rats

[firewalk]

bttt

[nopardons]

Tom is NOT the " white knight ", nor is he as pure as the driven snow. I'm quite tired of all of the " SAINT TOM " garbage, from those who repeatedly heap caaaalumny upon Arnold. Moral high ground ? Adept politician ? Neither should be the labels slapped on Tom.

WOW ping, indeed and thanks for it. :-)

[WackyKat]

McClintock is being an unbelievable jerk.He can't win, he can only make Bustamente governor.

[FairOpinion]

I can't believe the LA Times printed this!

[Mears]

Just reading about all this political intrigue makes me realize none of them give a rat's a** for the people of California.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

bingo. but whatever the reason or the result Mclintock should not be forgiven. Politics 101 tells you not to do what he is doing.

OK, well that explains why McClintock is prepared to hand the governorship to Bustamante. It's still a self-defeating choice politically, as well as being traitorous to the conservative principles McClintock espouses.

[Humidston]

LOL!! Thanks!

[FairOpinion]

Here is another important quote from the article:

SACRAMENTO — GOP state Sen. Tom McClintock is not your ordinary ineffective right-wing politician, of which California has had many in recent decades. He could actually accomplish something: elect the next governor of California. And, unfortunately for Republicans, that person would probably be a Democrat.

Whatever chance Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante has to win the replacement election — and possibly Gov. Gray Davis to survive the recall — lies with one of California's most ideological politicians.

McClintock's candidacy threatens to divide the GOP vote. It also gives Republicans reason to vote no on the recall to stop Bustamante, thus saving Davis. Numbers being numbers, a division of the vote in the Republican Party all but ensures success for a Democrat, whether he be Bustamante or Davis.

[LisaAnne]

hmmmmm wonder why The LASlimes would be sympathetic to McClintock.

[GreatOne]

The main gist is that the Wilson crowd refused to help him in McClintock's previous election campaigns, particularly the comptroller one. Therefore, since the Wilson crowd is helping Arnold, he's going to play spoiler just to stick it to them.

As I've said before, if there were a primary, I'd support McClintock hands down, and this liberal vs. conservative for the control of the G.O.P. in California is important. But in this case, with the Republicans having been getting their butts kicked all over the place recently, we need a victory, even if from a liberal Republican. Also, with Arnold's star power, I think that he will do a very good job in helping Bush in 2004, attracting voters and money.

Arnold will probably win by a bigger margin than expected because, like with Jesse Ventura in MN, he'll attract a lot of first time voters whom pollsters don't even know exist.