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.

[Cathryn Crawford]

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.

Exactly my point.

[Rabid Dog]

Got to butt in. Arnold said he would "avoid" raising taxes.

[deport]

How could he know without having a complete study of the CA mess as you call it done..... That's where his business sense comes in. He wants the situation analyzed, studies completed of what's wrong, what are the options, what impact will each have upon the other,...... It's just not well lets do this, cut this, and it's fixed..... Lots of things are tied by interaction, laws governing what can be done, etc.

As far as taxes, here is a couple...

...Seeking to reassure California Republicans who have questioned whether he's conservative enough to merit their support, gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger hit the talk radio circuit on Monday, telling two California radio hosts that he would hold the line on taxes and plans to cut at least one key tax.

...."I would not increase taxes in order to get the financial situation improved because I think it's the wrong way to go," he told KOGO's Roger Hedgecock in San Diego, according to the Associated Press.

....."The first thing I will do when I go into office is to get rid of the car tax," he told Hewitt, in audio posted to KRLA's Web site.

......"The people have been taxed enough," he proclaimed. "The legislators in Sacramento and the governor, they have to understand: stop spending!"

Now you have a good one, ya here... I'm outta here.

[A CA Guy]

I don't think he is inept at all, just needs more time to get a name for himself among voters before he can win.

The problem with McC in this race is that the most fervent conservatives will not go to Arnold because they have a more all or nothing attitude. McC needs to leave the race and back Arnold or the stubborn conservatives will throw away their vote and get Bustamante elected.

That is how I see it.

[George W. Bush]

deport: "Did he win?"

No, he didn't. But he's not facing Davis. He's up against Bustamonte. McClintock has a credible chance.

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

The liberals aren't the only crazy ones. What kind of a question is that?

But then, your home page says: "I am pro-life, pro-gun, pro-immigrant and pro-government. If you don't like America, you can leave."

Amazing. Simply amazing.

[jwalsh07]

A little levity for ya John to destract you from your arduous task of reducing the height of the wall.

Thwack!!!!!!!! Thanks I needed that. :-} At the rate the fedrobes are going it is going to be a long and arduous culture war.

They are stirring up the frog pot in Calaveras County and frogs are jumping out all over the place.

[Rabid Dog]

And another butt in.

Tom already has the situation assessed and has a plan. Can starting implementing fixes immediately. As he pointed out, no on the job training.

[Hildy]

Cathryn, are you really only 20 years old? That explains alot...and I don't mean that in a bad way.

[Cultural Jihad]

There are a number of out-of-state people that weigh in on these recall threads. I understand their logic ...

"Self-governance doesn't work! You need our help! Only we know what is best for those who live 2,000 miles away!" -- Logic

[cyncooper]

What did he say about immigration?

Well, one of the very first things his campaign made known was his support of Prop 187. They included a statement that he supports immigrants--and that immigrants should enter legally. So, I was pleased with that.

And with that, I must say good night.

[deport]

No, he didn't. But he's not facing Davis. He's up against Bustamonte.

---

And the rest of the field...... not just a democrat and a few 3rd party types, but the entire field... no run off. IMO, he'll not come close, but then if he does I hope he can win. Either he or Arnold will be light years ahead of Bustamante winning... CA needs to get their fiscal house in order first otherwise nothing else will matter much.

[TheAngryClam]

So's Arnold.

[deport]

Tom already has the situation assessed and has a plan.

---

Does Tom have the only plan available? Are there other options besides what Tom may have looked at? What are they? The more info the better. I doubt anyone plan developed yet is the finally and best answer.....

[Jeff Gordon]

Some guy says Bustemonte will get 40%, Arnie 35% and Tommy 10%.

Cathy responds by saying that if Tommy could get another 10% or 15%, he could win.

Where I went to school, 10 + 15 = 25 < 40.

Cathy, you may be a true conservative babe but you need some math help. Take a break from politics. Get some math help and then come back. ;-)

[TheAngryClam]

I don't know about her, but I will not only suggest Arnold will come in third, I've wagered money on it.

[Torie]

Except that what Arnold said is wrong. Not that I hold it against him. But Arnold is the most clearly wrong, because he has taken cutting educational spending off the table, which makes him indubitably, ineluctably wrong (even with educational cuts on the table, it is wrong). There is no way in that instance of balancing the budget no matter what absent tax increases. None. And California's budget just be balanced next year, because it has looted all its trust funds, and has no more borrowing power. None.

Even a fiscal scorce the Earth cutting jihad, signed off by the legislature (LOL), and even if all adopted by a package of about 8 intiatives, all passed, would require temporary tax increases to cover the black (red) hole for about two years. Why is this so hard for folks to get a grasp on? California's revenues are about 70 billion, and the outflow is about 100 billion. Write that down.

[ambrose]

I'd be more apt to wager that Bustamante comes in third.

[Rabid Dog]

Ping!

[deport]

There is no way in that instance of balancing the budget no matter what absent tax increases. None.

---

So Tom has lied...... about tax increases then?

[Cultural Jihad]

If the Bay Area and Los Angeles County belonged to Oregon or Timbuktu, I would agree with you. As it stands, the choices are rather simple: Go for 95% of what you want and end up with 5% of what you want, or go for and get 60% of what you want.