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.

[BigBobber]

Cruz Bustamante cannot take his name off the ballot. The no vote still hovers around 40%, and most of those votes will go to a replacement. Cruz is that replacement.

Thank you D-O! I've been saying all along Busta-mecha will get no less than 35% I don't think there is any place in the country that the leading Democrat will poll less than 35% - for any office. There are always that many party line union zombies to pull the "D" lever.

And we're talking about liberal California here. Anyone who thinks this election will be won with 25% to 30% of the vote is fantacizing.

[Consort]

The fact is, McClintock supporters are not splitting the Republican vote.

Yes they are. Tom is trailing and if a split vote elects Bustamente, it's Tom's fault.

[Grand Old Partisan]

"Many McClintock supporters are dumber than donkeys, yet they claim their hero has the smarts to govern California."

The words of a desparate individual."

It's spelled d-e-s-p-e-r-a-t-e.

[JCEccles]

What is your hard proof that Schwarzenegger would be a better governor than McClintock? I've already read your opinion. Persuade me with hard evidence and facts, please.

[Joe Hadenuf]

If I thought I was the only one that would vote for McClintock, he would still get my vote.

That being said, if Schwarzenegger gets in, he'll still be many, many times better than Gray Davis......

[JCEccles]

Your posts evidence more panic and desperation than anything that has been posted by a McClintock supporter. Why is that?

[Bikers4Bush]

Uhm yeah, I accidentally hit a instead of e and all you can do is be critical of my typing skills when confronted with the truth?

Now that's just sad.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I am familiar with the Roosevelt quote.

But I don't see how it says anything about the intelligence of McClintock supporters.

[sinkspur]

It is obvious there are many FReepers who would actually fear and resist a McClintock victory. I can see no rational reason for their fear.

It's not McClintock that has turned off so many on Free Republic to McClintock.

It's his rabid, foul-mouthed, venom-spitting followers.

[JCEccles]

Are you suggesting that the Roosevelt quote doesn't fit McClintock's circusmtances?

[JCEccles]

I have read some pretty vile stuff oozing from your keyboard. I would be slow to criticize if I were you.

[DoughtyOne]

I'm going to have to disagree with you, as painful as it is. Look Tom is NOT splitting the Republican vote. The Republicans are voting for Schwarzenegger.

The McClintock party is voting for Tom. Tom and his buds have told the Republican party to go to hell. How much clearer could it be?

Everyone in the party who has endorsed Schwarzenegger has been called a RINO, and Tom wants nothing to do with them. Since these endorsers are vast majority of the party, I guess he want's nothing to do with the party.

[lilylangtree]

Tom's got the qualifications and experience to turn CA around plus he's not a former Sen. Bob Packwood nor Bubba Clintoon nor Termite the Gropinator.

[sinkspur]

I have read some pretty vile stuff oozing from your keyboard.

Not on McClintock v. Arnold. In fact, I've said very little. I'd support Arnold, if I were in California, but I don't really care, since I don't have to live there.

But the McClintockers are, far and away, the winners in the nastiness column.

[11th Earl of Mar]

We were talking about the intelligence of McClintock supporters.

And, no. I do not think that the Roosevelt quote says anything about McClintock's voters.

Apparently you do?

[JCEccles]

Everyone in the party who has endorsed Schwarzenegger has been called a RINO, and Tom wants nothing to do with them

Has McClintock made such a claim?

On the other hand, many McClintock supporters believe, with some good reason, that Schwarzenegger personally smeared them as right wing crazies. Why do you not hold Schwarzenegger responsible for some of this bile and viciousness?

[DoughtyOne]

plausible deniability

[JCEccles]

I asked if the quote speaks to McClintock's circumstances. Do you agree that it does? We'll follow up with the question of McClintock's supporters' intelligence once we establish the answer to this preliminary question.

[Consort]

The McClintock party is voting for Tom.

Is that a new obscure Third Party?

[d-back]

Christie Whitman. George Pataki. George Bush the First. John McCain. Lincoln Chafee. Jim Jeffords. Olympia Snowe.

RINOS all, who have hurt and will continue to hurt conservative principles.

Now add Arnold to the list, and look for these "big tent" RINOS to attack the pro-life platform of the Republican Party, to soften the Republican view on the Marriage Amendment, to advocate for "moderate" judges, and to undermine the Right to Bear Arms.

Not to mention "reasonable" taxes.

I'd vote McClintock in a New York minute if I still lived out in California. Arnold and the Limousine Republicans can frot off--this recall wasn't done with their help anyway.