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.

[A CA Guy]

I also think that as I hear Arnold, he seems more conservative than I would have thought would be the case.

I agree with you.

[deport]

And he refuses to enumerate his stance on taxes.

---

such as?

[Cathryn Crawford]

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.

Funny aside - do you think everyone screaming about his ineptness would support him in a run against Boxer? :-)

[Rabid Dog]

There are a number of out-of-state people that weigh in on these recall threads. I understand their logic - but I just wish all of them did as much homework as C. Crawford does.

[Cathryn Crawford]

There is no "such as". That's the point.

He will not make a clear statement on the issue.

[risk]

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.

Hey, the sky isn't falling. Everything started looking better once the recall was approved.

And Arnold might be able to do some excellent things for our state. I don't believe he's the lefty that everyone against him on FR has made him out to be. He's just working a little too hard to please everyone, and that tends to annoy people on the right.

When you're ahead in the polls the way Arnold has been, it's best to avoid making a big mistake that could hurt your lead. So he's easy on the ideology and big on optimism, his ability to cut spending, and show leadership. Meanwhile he's been a superb businessman, and he's obviously grown to be quite a patriot.

This is going to be a bipartisan race, and he's not too far off base in trying to assuage center/left fears of all things Republican. My bet is that he'd use his veto and stop the extra spending that is bleeding us dry, and focus on optimism. Good. But right now, he's been unclear about enough things (and too clear on not being willing to cut education) so I still prefer to stick with McClintock.

Both McClintock and Schwarzenegger are going to have to stay focused on cutting spending and bringing back jobs. I just happen to think that McClintock would cut education, and the Terminator wouldn't -- and that's where about half of the useless spending happens in this state!

[deport]

What do you want him to say?

[Cathryn Crawford]

Okay. Sorry. Just checking.

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

"Huh? He came closest of any Republican to winning a statewide office just last year. He polled about 48% in a general election."

Would you like for your vasectomy or hysterectomy a surgeon who 'almost' finished medical school?

[Cathryn Crawford]

A clear statement might be nice. How about his beliefs? That might be good.

How about his ideas on how to straighten up California's fiscal mess?

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

You sure got quiet on me young lady.

[Jeff Gordon]

He will be in right in there until he terminates the very last chance of the California Republican Party's survival.

I wonder how much Tommy is getting paid by Cal Rats to spoil this race?

[Cathryn Crawford]

Well, you didn't post anything for me to respond to. Got a question?

[cyncooper]

And he refuses to enumerate his stance on taxes.

He said "there will be cuts". And there will be. He said he would not raise taxes.

He stated an new or increased tax would only be considered (not implemented, but considered) in the event of a disaster.

His stance on taxes is plain to see and he stated it clearly: Californians are overtaxed.

[cyncooper]

try listening to what he says

I do.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Okay - that sounds good.

What did he say about immigration?

[TheDon]

I think it would be as well.

[DoctorZIn]

PING!

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[christynsoldier]

aahhhh........excuse me Lib but TOM MC got more votes than
any other Repub in the last election after being outspent
5 to 1 and was the leading REPUB vote getter in the whole
state and probably won the election except for the Dem vote
stealing in 3 counties!!!! He was also stiffed by the Bush
state Gop hacks and give next to NO money after they lied
about commitments to his campaign...thanks Parsky and Rove
for making sure a conservative didn't win...
Hey Lib, learn a little history or end up looking really
stupid... no inept campaign but plenty of dirty inside party politics.

[cyncooper]

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.

Yes, we do agree that comment from out-of-staters is fair.

This is a very mobile society and just because we don't live there today doesn't mean fate might not place us there eventually. Besides, we have family there.