Tom McClintock's Political Career: R.I.P.

dfu | 9-30-03 | doug from upland

[doug from upland]

Tom McClintock continues his walk toward the California political graveyard. It is an unstoppable walk, almost suicidal in its dedication.

McClintock is my first choice as governor. He would make a great governor. Ronald Reagan would also make a great governor. Unfortunately, those of us who live in the real world of California politics, recognize that neither McClintock, the Gipper, nor the pornstar will be the next governor of California. We recognize that politics is the art of the possible. Although Bruce Herschenson's recent commercials are well done, they are no more than wishful thinking. I've met Bruce. He would have been a great senator, and he came very close.

So, what will happen to McClintock? Unfortunately, he has painted himself into a corner. He has said over and over that he will not drop out. If he drops out now, he will be seen as a liar. If he doesn't drop out and Bustamante is handed the governorship, he will never be forgiven by Republicans. He will be a political dead man walking. Even if Arnold pulls it out in a close 3-man race, the GOP has been hoping for a Terminator mandate. Such would make it easier for him to deal with the runaway RATS who have been destroying our state.

Yes, McClintock is principled. Yes, Arnold only supports some of my own agenda. But Bustamante supports none of my agenda. I guess I'll take someone with whom I have 70% agreement and can win, rather than someone with whom I have 95% agreement who cannot win. Face it, McClintock Kool-Aid drinkers -- he is a great man but he cannot win. Standing on principles is noble, however, if you get no place at the table, all it does it make you feel good that you did the right thing. With a RINO in power, at least we have some chance of influencing policy. Maybe we can even change his mind on some issues. We will never have any influence over the Mecha Man. He will continue to destroy our state.

Tom McClintock is self-terminating. May his political career rest in peace.

[fightu4it]

" Those that recognize reality and have chosen to deal with it,.....

Read: those who are willing to be lead around by the nose, or other body parts, by the Rush Limbaughs of the world.

Those who see something they know is right and good but are incapable of acting without the validation of certain icons, on whom they rely more than their own instincts.

[EternalVigilance]

You may be right. It happened before in MN to some degree.

Nonetheless, the point stands that they are generally not a reliable bloc of voters.

I never said that there couldn't be silver linings in the Schwarzenegger cloud--if some young people gain an interest in fulfilling their duties as citizens, great.

But if they are going to follow Arnie's liberal political lead, or if they are going to continue to be motivated by celebrity rather than substance, I would just as soon they remained unactivated.

[CheneyChick]

I am right.

I would just as soon they remained unactivated.

Sigh. I could comment on this, but I'll refrain, except to say that we all have this wish for some folks, in one way or another....

Yes. This is a "Read Between the Lines" comment.

[pollywog]

The thing that really pisses me off is that the Repubbie Party Powerbrokers pushed us into this position in the first place. They seem to be more interested in the good of the National Party than in the citizens of California. When are they gonna stop offering all their support to the Riordan clone school of politicians, so quick to compromise their values for microscopic gain. That they left Simon swinging in the wind a year ago is the reason we're in this fix now

Oh so well spoken LexBaird!! I agree wholeheartedly with your post. I too tried to look objectively at Arnold. I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted no part of seeing this man come in as a Republican(NOT!) The Republican leadership has let us down, as have many conservative leaders who have retreated from the battlefield!!

[EternalVigilance]

Just what California needs--another bloc of voters who are easily led by factors other than substance. They'll make good mind-numbed robots.

Your slam is noted.

Later.

[doug from upland]

Yes, I'm somewhat optimistic. Let's hope his larger-than-life presence can have a good influence. He needs to help undo all the crap that RAT teachers have put into their heads.

[EternalVigilance]

He needs to help undo all the crap that RAT teachers have put into their heads.

Now you're really being overly optimistic. Judging by Arnold's one previous foray into political activism, there is good reason to believe that said teachers have nothing to fear at all from a Schwarzenegger administration.

[firewalk]

.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Has it occurred to any of you supporting Arnold, that you will bear some of the guilt in Tom's defeat??

Oh sure. And we have guilt for Gary Coleman, Marey Carey and Angelique's defeat too.

It's too early to laugh this hard.

[pollywog]

I hate sharing something in common with Leo Terrell. I will vote for Arnold reluctantly.

Your choice, DFU! Just remember that you can choose who you want, but the consequences of that choice ends up on YOUR hands. My cousin,Dick Mountjoy, who was a conservative Republican Senator, and has fought for rights of gun owners, and many of his fellow conservatives, will have fought in vain because of YOUR choice.Arnold , by his own words wants stricter gun control laws.

And by the way, did you hear him on Hannity saying that one of his most " admired" men in politics is Gorbachev?? Scary!!!

[pollywog]

hubby and daughter will be " walking" here in Los Angeles. Unfortunately , I had a previous engagement I was unable to break. My prayers will be with all of those walking!! GO TOM GO.....

[CheneyChick]

That is such Democrat thinking ---> blaming someone else for your failures.

Republican thinking is Personal Responsibility, i.e., Tom is the reason that Tom is losing. He had me and then he lost me. I had no preconceived idea about Tom McClintock before this election. I had never even heard of him before, good or bad.

[pollywog]

I'm sick and tired of conservatives kow-towing to the socialist media/Democratic Party spin that Republicans must become more "moderate" or liberal to attract more votes. HOGWASH!

You're a good man DFU and I respect your posts. But you're wrong on this. McClintock was in this race first before Schwarzenegger and his chump supporters decided to jump on the bandwagon and foul things up.

Bumping your truthful post!!!!

[Triple]

Ahh, tha writings of victimhood.

The candidate that most closely demonstrates my values is running, but I will not for for him, because he is 'unelectable.'

Waaa waaa waaa.

Elections are won in the voting booth, not before not after.

If you never vote for your ideal candidate, do you think you will ever have that candidate represent you?

What encouragement are you giving the next conservative to run, if you wont vote for this one.

IMO - you are a whining, coward of a voter, to not vote your convictions.

You will get the governor you deserve, this one and next.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Good post, Doug. While I may agree more with McC on issues,and so do many CA Gop members, even GOP members in California realize McC cannot get elected. They have chosen Arnold so they can have the Office. It's not perfect, but neither is McC. It's a start. Anyone who doesn't realize that is stuck on their one-issue agenda, as McC (and several others, like Buchanan, Keyes, etc) is. The Tomaid-ers are drinking the "I want what I want at the expense of the election", and are not looking at the entire picture for the good of the State, for the good of their future, for the good of the next Presidential election.
Screw 'em. McC has now made himself the GOP version of Dukakis.

[F16Fighter]

If he doesn't drop out and Bustamante is handed the governorship, he [McClintock] will never be forgiven by Republicans.

Would that be the "pragmatic" anti-conservative RINO-wing?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

you are a whining, coward of a voter, to not vote your convictions

And what is wrong with getting an electable candidate in the seat and then have him vote and act per his base? Isn't that how it works? Or do we elect politicians and then let them just do as they please (as some who have no chance of winning want to do)? Vote your conviction and elect Bustamante, pal. I'd vote to get the Office at this point in time. Choose your battles wisely. Give McC a cardigan sweater, please.

[pollywog]

I'm pro-life, pro-God, pro-family, pro-gun, pro-Constitution, pro-freedom and pro-America.

.....and I might add pro COMMON SENSE !!! Go Tom GO!!!! Free Republic STILL has a common sense moderator/owner!!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Now who do you think I'll vote for

Lessee....alligator...um...Ariana dropped out, so it can't be her. Although she has the skin for it. You said "SUV" and Arnold is wanting to stop the car tax. But you mentioned illegals...so...

Are you voting for McNeggar?

[pollywog]

Doug, Look at your tagline!!! Do you realize that ARNOLD call YOU a right wing crazy for trying to IMPEACH Clinton? How can you give HIM your vote???