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.

[F16Fighter]

Think you covered nearly all the bases -- I'm with ya 99%. But I'll need clarification on this opinion:

"I'm pro-BBQ."

Would that be gas or charcoal?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

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

TOM ALONE bears the guilt for his defeat. He was defeated before he entered the race.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

How can you give HIM your vote???

Read the very first post in this thread, real slow. You'll find the answer in there.

[Dante3]

Well stated.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

You know what I would like to see? Arnold pull out, and encourage all that would have voted for him to vote for McC.

McC would lose.

Then what would be the Tombots excuse? Somehow I think it would include the name-calling of "RINO", yada yada yada.

[DoughtyOne]

To many of us, Cruz and Arnold are " one and the same".

Look, you guys can tell yourselves that if you like, but you know it simply isn't true. Cruz says he will raise taxes by $9 billion dollars. Schwarzenegger says he won't unless there's a natural disaster or an act of terrorism. At least you're honest about saying you don't believe him, but is that his problem or your own?

Look at the people who are supporting Bustamante or Davis, who they are blowing kisses to, and ask yourself why Schwarzenegger is being submarined by them if he's as identical to Cruz as you seem to think?

Later...

[Munson]

The AIP and Libertarian party is weak anyways, and I believe we can have a strong centrist party that can reach out to the broad based voters of California.

The Decline to state voters and Republicans who switch to Democratic will move back to the Republican Party.

[AmericanInTokyo]

bump for interesting debate

[F16Fighter]

"Well Arnold made some movies and Bustamante didn't. But I'll be doggone if I can think of any other differences."

Heh...But don't forget -- Ah-nold can do dis stuff and dat stuff.

[BibChr]

Sooo, putting my head neatly on the block...

If you're for gesture in the direction of all of those ideals, it'll be Diane Templin of the Constitution Party.

If you're for making a self-defeating, lose-even-what-you-have gesture in the direction of most of those ideals, it'll be McClintock=>Bustamante.

If you're for taking an actual step in the direction of at least some of them, it'll be Schwarzenegger. As I plan to do.

Dan

[pollywog]

Coffee a little too strong this morning, pollywog?

Actually CheneyChick, I drink Postum!!Feeling quite good on this wonderful, fall morning!

[DoughtyOne]

By your comments you seem to be implying that I'm too stupid to figure out that McClintock is at 14-18%, Cruz Bustamante is at 25-32%, Schwarzenegger is at 25-35%, and what to do about this all on my own.

You're welcome to your opinion on this.

[Ciexyz]

Face it, McClintock Kool-Aid drinkers....

Well said! Here's hoping that the McClintock supporters will see the light of compromise, which will help Republicans all over the country.

[samtheman]

McClintock Kool-Aid drinkers

Sad but true.

[ought-six]

"He has even less chance against Boxer or Feinstein. there is no more future for McClintock unless arnold decides so."

Sad, but true. California is way too far to the left to be salvaged, at least in my lifetime (I am in my 50s). Arnold may be a very small speed bump on the road to California's eventual -- and inevitable -- collapse, but that's all he is. But in the collapse, there is the chance for a re-birth, but it will come about only when the people of California realize that their road to ruin was designed, built, and maintained by the liberals, whose love affair with socialism was THE cause of the collapse in the first place.

[pollywog]

Look, you guys can tell yourselves that if you like, but you know it simply isn't true. Cruz says he will raise taxes by $9 billion dollars. Schwarzenegger says he won't unless there's a natural disaster or an act of terrorism. At least you're honest about saying you don't believe him, but is that his problem or your own?

Guess time will tell if you are right. For me....I am not going to even take that chance. I will put my vote where I KNOW someone will not raise taxes and sign into law abortion bills,gay marriages, free lunches and insurance for illegals. One thing we ALL agree about Tom McClintock, he has been a UNWAVERING politican with a GREAT track record.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Tom McClintock, he has been a UNWAVERING politican with a GREAT track record.

Yep, he's already lost 2 statewide races, but hey, three's a charm.

[rcofdayton]

Frankly, I think the best thing would be for the socialist Bustamonte to win. Then California could slide further into the socialist nightmare, and serve as an example to the rest of the nation. If Arnold wins, he won't be able to do much, but the democrats and their whore media will say it is all Arnold's fault.