Posted on 05/28/2008 4:36:55 PM PDT by Amerigomag
As a Regional Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party, I take seriously my commitment to stay out of contested Republican primaries for partisan office. As such, it has been difficult for me to sit on the sidelines during the epic battle in the 4th Congressional District, because that primary is really all about defining the heart and soul of the GOP. I will leave it to the Republican voters in this large Congressional District in North Eastern California to decide for themselves whether they want to elect former Congressman Doug Ose or State Senator Tom McClintock.
All that said, I feel that I do need to weigh in a bit in response to former Governor Pete Wilson's spurious attack on conservative Tom McClintock.
Wilson and McClintock did not get along. Why? Because, like today, Tom consistently stands up against increasing the size and scope of state government.
Wilson was furious with McClintock and other conservative legislators who opposed his plans to hike state sales taxes to the tune of $7 billion to deal with a budget shortfall. As a matter of fact (I remember this like it was yesterday), Wilson had enough moxie to actually call conservative legislators "f***ing irrelevant" - not very nice.
I guess it will be up to each Republican voter to assess Wilson's statement, "As Governor, I could never count on Tom McClintock."
Wilson must be referring to the fact that from the day that he proposed, and in fact signed into law that massive tax increase, Tom McClintock and many other conservatives viewed Governor Wilson with a skeptical eye.
Of course, given the track record of our current Governor, in the rear-view mirror, Wilson seems like he was a lot more conservative than he actually was. But if Wilson wanted to be more truthful in his letter he should have written, "When I spearheaded a major statewide increase in the sales tax, I couldn't count on Tom McClintock. He refused to vote to raise taxes."
Perhaps as a former Governor, one who actually served out his two terms without being recalled from office, Pete Wilson should spend his time being a "senior statesman" and not allowing himself to be dragged into Republican primaries. It is awkward at best to have to remind FR readers that he was no conservative.
Let me close where I began this commentary - with a reminder that I have not nor will I endorse Tom McClintock or Doug Ose for Congress. Both will make their case. Both are legitimate candidates who offer a clear contrast to voters. But someone who was on hand at the time needed to set the record straight about Pete Wilson, and why his attack on Tom McClintock lacks credibility with conservatives in a Republican primary.
But don't be fooled. Pete Wilson is not irrelevant. Pete Wilson fronts for one of the most organized, poliyically successful business cartels in California. In 2002 Pete Wilson was approaced by the cartel in Orange County, California to form a government that was favorable to business. Wilson gathered his old political team together and selected an actor to front for the group. The New Majority financed the program and the rest is history.
PING!!!
In 2002 Pete Wilson was approaced by the cartel in Orange County, California
yeah...orange county....Now run By democrats.
It’s time to make Petey “f***ing irrelevant.”
Vote McClintock.
This bears repeating:
” ...if Wilson wanted to be more truthful in his letter he should have written, “When I spearheaded a major statewide increase in the sales tax, I couldn’t count on Tom McClintock. He refused to vote to raise taxes.”
By the way, a $7.3 billion tax increase is not a major increase, it is a monumental increase, an increase of stupendous proportions.
Dump the RINOs bump and ping
He’s involved at this very moment in getting the Sacramento Kings a new site at Cal Expo, our state fair site and it’s not clear yet if this will be at state expense, or not! He’s wheelin and dealin with the Maloofs, like he was still Governor, or something!!! Makes me intensely nervous!!!
See how much more dangerous to conservatism Republicans in high places can be? They're coercive as sin and RINO's in their rotten souls!!! McMistake will be the same coercive force against conservative congressmen as Pete Wilson was and Arnold Schwartzenputz IS!!!
State Senator Tom McClintock is the California lite version of John McCain. McClintock has often been at odds with the state Republican Party and other Republicans in the state legislature.
Wilson never cared one lick for the party, state, or city, only what was good for Pete Wilson.
I spent 18 years fighting that POS on the floor of the RSCC conventions.
That’s a crock of c**p, Chuck!
McClintock has consistently been one of THE most conservative elected politicians in CA for years! In a party of wussie RINOs (a self-cancelling phrase if there was one), McClintock is a star shining bright and should be Governor, but I’ll take him as a Congressman.
It’s not likely to make much difference. Pete Wilson is very much yesterday’s news.
There is little doubt that Tom McClintock will be the nominee.
I wouldn't be so sure. Seems pretty cut and dried here but with phone banks calling for Ose all day long, ads on TV, Sneaky Pete, and the endorsement of the Mountain Communist newspaper it won't be a slam dunk.
Too many people who call themselves Republicans believe whatever drivel is repeated often enough on TV and don't have the time or energy to think for themeselves, which is how we ended up with Herr Schnitzelgroper as governor.
For all the hand wringing and moaning by “conservatives” about our national situation- The Ose/McClintock Battle hits at the core of the problem- McClintock is a bonafide, principled, down the line conservative - MILLIONARE Ose is a RINO (think homosexual marraige, Tax and Spend, Abortion, Anti gun etc.) in the tradition of the Arnold. They’re running in a very conservative district but many of the establishment “conservatives” are backing Ose for what I can only assume are politically expedient reasons- McClintock can certainly be competitive for the former Doolittle seat- If we don’t fight for solid conservatives at the grassroots we will never see them at the top of the ticket!
Oh, now that is funny! What an inaccurate rewrite of history!
Whatever it is that you are smoking or drinking, stop it. Seriously.
The Maloof thugs can take their team somewhere else. If this proposed “deal” goes forward, we taxpayers lose big time. Pete Wilson should buy five cases of STFU and consume it all by himself. Deport RINOs.
Well said Ivan. That’s exactly how I feel!
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