McClintock: 'In the race to the finish line'

CNN ^ | August 26, 2003 | CNN

[Recourse]

WASHINGTON (CNN) --With one recent poll showing actor Arnold Schwarzenegger falling behind Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante in California's gubernatorial recall race, some top Republicans are urging other GOP candidates to drop out of the race.

Businessman Bill Simon, the GOP nominee against Gov. Gray Davis last year, dropped out over the weekend. But Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock says he's in the race for good. McClintock, in Sacramento, California, spoke with CNN's Judy Woodruff on Tuesday. The following is an edited transcript.

[Rabid Dog]

Tom should absolutely hang in there until the end, as will his supporters. And then on the day of the election, we will cast our votes in the way that make the most sense. But until then, no purpose is served in defeating Tom before he even gets to the gate - especially since some 11th hour revelation may take Arnie down.

[cyncooper]

If McClintock is ahead, Schwartzenegger should bow out and Vice Versa.

Exactly.

[Registered]

Arnold's not a conservative

That is not the issue. In fact, most in the forum would agree that Arnold is a RINO, however his business background and statements concerning the budget don't send me into conservative seizures. In fact, after listening to his press conference concerning the CA economic situation I felt that he has the leadership ability to solving the problems in CA's budget in a much more conservative way than a Cruz Administration would.

[Cathryn Crawford]

However - would Arnold solve it better than a McClintock administration would?

[Torie]

Yep. This premature eggs in one basket thingie is nutty frankly. Just ignore it, as well as the claims that we are a fifth column to elect Bustamante. It is simply silly. Those of us who live here, in this still wonderful state of California despite the best efforts of government to eviscerate it, will do nothing at the end to faciliate Bustamante becoming governor. We know that. If others don't trust us, too bad. We don't care. We will just use our own judgment, and not prematurely ejaculate, or whatever the right term is.

[deport]

Did he win?

[A CA Guy]

He is unelectable C or I'd back him myself.

The thing most people and some stubborn CA conservatives don't get is you have to go by electability.

McClintock isn't as well known across the state as you might think by his fans on FR.
Most CA citizens would usually say "WHO"? if you even mention his name.

Arnold has the name recognition, good will and plenty of cross over appeal. Those are ALL things McC isn't in possession of.

He can win a bigger race in a couple of years if he works on getting known. He is nearly an unknown at this time.

I think McC is great, but he is a waste of the vote because it goes away from an electable Arnold and in fact gets the Democrat elected.

[Rabid Dog]

I LOVE that term! It could be the best quote of the night!!

[risk]

Those of us who live here, in this still wonderful state of California despite the best efforts of government to eviscerate it, will do nothing at the end to faciliate Bustamante becoming governor. We know that. If others don't trust us, too bad.

bttt

[Cultural Jihad]

That is not the issue. In fact, most in the forum would agree that Arnold is a RINO, however his business background and statements concerning the budget don't send me into conservative seizures. In fact, after listening to his press conference concerning the CA economic situation I felt that he has the leadership ability to solving the problems in CA's budget in a much more conservative way than a Cruz Administration would.

Agreed.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Arnold isn't a conservative! It's like electing a Democrat, except it's worse because this guy is a hypocrite! That's what I don't get.

I can't even understand it. I should stop trying and save myself the ulcer. I'm only twenty, for Pete's sake, too young to die of a heart attack.

[cyncooper]

I'm particularly fond of this one:

Why?

Why are you fond of calling Schwarzenegger a RINO and why do you think the Republicans like Rohrabacher and Dreier, to name just two, are so enthusiastically supporting him?

In fact, I found an op-ed today by Rohrabacher's wife that she wrote the day after the re-election of Davis touting Schwarzenegger as the Republicans' best hope to retake the governorship of California. This means they were fans of his from way back--and not just for this particular recall election.

That gives me reason to think Schwarzenegger is much more conservative than some here give credit for. I am confident that time will bear out my observation.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I am confident that time will bear out my observation.

That's a big thing to be confident of.

As for where I get my ideas - try listening to what he says. He's pro gun control, pro abortion, etc. The list goes on.

And he refuses to enumerate his stance on taxes. (as another side note...)

[Cultural Jihad]

Arnold isn't a conservative! It's like electing a Democrat, except it's worse because this guy is a hypocrite! That's what I don't get.

I can't even understand it. I should stop trying and save myself the ulcer. I'm only twenty, for Pete's sake, too young to die of a heart attack.

Needless to say, the opinions of someone in Texas regarding who should or should not be voted for for governor of California carry as much weight as did the decrees of Norton I, Emperor of the United States and the Protector of Mexico.

[ambrose]

From the interview, Judy appears desperate to get Tom to dropout. Guess she's doing a favor for her old buddy Maria.

[A CA Guy]

Actually, out here the Democrats are darn near communists, so Arnold isn't THAT bad considering the field.

He is better than either Davis or Cruz C, he is business friendly and would be MUCH better than any Democrat elected.

McC hasn't the firepower to get elected and may only serve as a spoiler.

To get Republicans and those that are more conservative elected, you would have to earn CA back in steps.

Arnold is a few steps in the right direction compared to where we are now.

If McC gets more well known and electable throughout the state, he could possibly be the person to come next or take Boxer's seat.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Needless to say, the opinions of someone in Texas regarding who should or should not be voted for for governor of California carry as much weight as did the decrees of Norton I, Emperor of the United States and the Protector of Mexico.

Even cyncooper agrees with me, although we are on different sides of the issue, that this is of national importance, and it's bunkum to say that just because I don't live there it's none of my business.

And, (you'd know this if you lived here - LOL) Texas is quickly on its way to becoming the next California.

[Registered]

However - would Arnold solve it better than a McClintock administration would?

Nope, probably not. Again Cathryn, we unfortunately must anticipate and examine what the general voting base in CA will do in this thing.

It is important to remember that the voters have to be motivated to REMOVE and REPLACE. I agree with Torie that having McClintock isn't a bad thing now, as it is the pressure for Arnold to examine the proposals that McClintock has put forward that seem so attractive to that critical percentage of GOP voters. But in the end, it will be Arnold (barring a huge explosive discovery, and knowing the dems, their munitions department is geared up).

[cyncooper]

Well, I have read freeper summations of his appearance on Fox over the weekend. Family obligations kept me from viewing it personally. I did not get a favorable impression from what I read about the Fox appearance, but in fairness held forming an opinion in abeyance since it wasn't a transcript.

As I've stated, I've read much about him to have formed a previously positive impression, so I am not commenting just based on this CNN interview.

[Registered]

Hey, you agreed! I'm buy'n a lottery ticket! Yay!