California: Fast-fading Bustamante has conservatives re-thinking Schwarzenegger support

California Public Policy Foundation Capitol Watch email | October 3, 2003

[John Jorsett]

Some conservative Republicans who say they believe state Sen. Tom McClintock would be a better governor than Arnold Schwarzenegger but who planned to vote for Schwarzenegger as their best hope of electing a Republican are switching to McClintock in light of recent polls indicating both GOP candidates will likely finish ahead of Cruz Bustamante. "If it is down to a two-man race," a GOP activist said, "my vote is for Tom. Schwarzenegger seemed to be the lesser of two evils compared to Bustamante, but that rationale disappears when Bustamante turns out to be the candidate that can't win."

McClintock, who has run ahead of Schwarzenegger among Independent voters, enjoys statewide favorable/unfavorable ratings much better than any other major candidate. GOP political observers say this factor, if it combines with a large-scale movement among Republicans who feel free now to "vote their consciences," could significantly increase McClin- tock's support by Tuesday.

[DoughtyOne]

It just as well be. I think there's a very good chance it will show up in New Hampshire next spring.

[JCEccles]

I prefer speaking about truth. Plausible deniability didn't appeal to me when Begala and Carville employed it on behalf of Clinton, and it doesn't appeal to me here.

There is evidence from Schwarzenegger's own lips that Schwarzenegger despises social conservatives and the issues that matter most to them. Why should social conservatives ignore this and embrace him?

[11th Earl of Mar]

To: jmstein7

Many McClintock supporters are dumber than donkeys

Proof, please?

68 posted on 10/03/2003 3:55 PM EDT by JCEccles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

This is where we started. If your attention span is too short to discuss the topic we started without trying to change midsream, don't bother me.

[Tempest]

I'll be sending in money soon.

[DoughtyOne]

It's your boys on this forum using the term RINO second by second. Tom has done nothing to bring unity to the party.

[Timesink]

I was under the impression that, as with abuse reports, Mods can't see who's posted the keywords.

They can see keywords AND abuse reports. If you send in an abuse report without checking the "sign my name" box, your name won't automatically pop up next to the complaint. But if the Mods really want to know who sent it, they can find out.

[Redleg Duke]

Yep, the Libs are at it again...manipulating the single-issue and Conservative "Purists". They realize their only hope is to decisively split the Republican vote. If they can siphon more votes away from Arnold to Tom McClinton, Busty will win.

Wake-up, California! Don't let the Liberals manipulate you any further!

[Redleg Duke]

Target Hit!

[Redleg Duke]

Your tagline is futile. You are being fooled again!

[Grand Old Partisan]

Thanks! Perhaps some of these McClintock shills aren't stupid Republicans, just nefarious Democrats.

[JCEccles]

No, I'm finished with you. I don't have the patience to wait for you to decide to forthrightly answer a simple question. I won't post to you any more and I would grateful if your would show me the same courtesy. Thank you.

[JCEccles]

There is evidence from Schwarzenegger's own lips that Schwarzenegger despises social conservatives and the issues that matter most to them. Why should social conservatives ignore this and embrace him? Is calling them right wing crazies an acceptable way for him to pursue party unity?

[Nam Vet]

Main Entry: dis·pa·rate Pronunciation: 'dis-p(&-)r&t, di-'spar-&t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin disparatus, past participle of disparare to separate, from dis- + parare to prepare -- more at PARE Date: 15th century
1 : containing or made up of fundamentally different and often incongruous elements
2 : markedly distinct in quality or character synonym see DIFFERENT

Nam Vet

[DoughtyOne]

Where have you been for the last two months while these same attacks were made against Schwarzenneger? I've read them all. No nead to rehash them here just because they're new to you.

You guys called Schwarzenegger, Bush, leading California public officials, radio talk show hosts and all those planning to vote for Schwarzenegger RINOs.

McClintock has few meaningful endorsements. Okay fine. If and his buds want to jump ship, no problem with me. He's been asked to please step aside. The California RP leadership endorsed Arnold.

I'm all for the McClintock party. Next year we can watch as it go down in flames nationally.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I don't have the patience to wait for you to decide to forthrightly answer a simple question.

You still don't get the idea of discussing one topic without changing subjects, do you?

[The Old Hoosier]

A MISTAKE THIS TIME COULD BE FUTILE.

As intelligent as anything else in your post.

Go Tom Go!!!

[CyberAnt]

My county GOP just sent me an email and ask me to let them know my ideas about how CA should be reformed.

My reply: If you're looking for reform, then it might serve a better purpose to elect a "reformer" - however, since the CA GOP is supporting a movie star instead of Tom McClintock (who is a reformer) ...... good luck!!

[kevao]

I really believe that McClintock could better represent California.

So does the LA Times. Yesterday it ran a story -- Page 1!!! -- about what an upstanding, talented, competent man McClintock is. And they say the LA Times is biased. (/sarcasm)

[The Old Hoosier]

it's very doubtful that Cruz well receive as little as 27% of the vote.

Field poll has him at 26. As long as there isn't a 50-50 exact split, we're fine.