California GOP Insiders: McClintock Will Drop Out

newsmax.com ^ | 09.09.03 | Eric Leonard, NewsMax.com

[VU4G10]

California GOP Insiders: McClintock Will Drop Out Eric Leonard, NewsMax.com Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003 LOS ANGELES – Leading elected Republicans have made it clear for the first time the party will stand behind only one candidate in the recall election to ensure a victory over Democrat Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante. Neither state Sen. Tom McClintock's nor Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaigns say they are considering dropping out of the race, but results from the most recent Field Poll, coupled with GOP pressure, point towards McClintock being asked to "take one for the team," insiders say.

"I believe we're going to have one candidate," said Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., during an appearance today on CNN.

He said the party's decision would likely be made during the state's Republican Party convention this weekend in Southern California.

"I'm going to the convention to bring the party together. I'm confident we're going to get to one candidate," Issa said.

Hours earlier, California Republican Party chairman Duf Sundheim made similar comments during an interview on Fox News Channel.

While McClintock has been more closely aligned with the Republican Party's traditional philosophies, Schwarzenegger continues to lead with voters, according to the most recent Field Poll.

The poll revealed little change in voter support now that Peter Ueberroth, a Republican who said he was running as an independent, quit the race.

With Ueberroth out, Schwarzenegger went from 25 to 27 percent, McClintock from 13 to 14 percent, and Bustamante from 30 to 32 percent.

However, with McClintock out, Schwarzenegger vaults into the lead over Bustamante.

[WOSG]

please dont call me moron, angryclam, I am not stupid. I know the moderates are backstabbers in CAGOP. the point is McClintock has some leverage here with even the country clubbers that he didnt have before, he can be spoiler or the helper to ending the DemocRat regime. That's enough to extract concessions he didnt get before; that's my point.

[jwalsh07]

That's enough to extract concessions he didnt get before; that's my point

And an excellent one it is. If you don't play you can't win. McClintock, if he decides to drop out, has 15% worth of leverage that should be used to advance conservatism. No promise from Arnold and the California Republican Party, no dropping out.

It's called politics.

[Duramaximus]

"Don't over analyze or overcomplicate it. In California, any "R" is better tha any "D" and in politics, winning is the only thing."

True, but in some instances the "R" is indistinguishable from the "D". There is little comfort to be had in either case.

[jmstein7]

"McClintock could turn himself into a GOP hero overnight, then run against Boxer with Bush, Cheney, Powell, Guiliani and Arnold standing next to him at campaign events."

That could indeed prove to be quite advantageous. He could indeed knock out Boxer that way. Better two GOP winners and no Bustamante, Davis, or Boxer than Bustamante and two GOP losers.

[Consort]

True, but in some instances the "R" is indistinguishable from...

There you go again. Just vote straight "R" until further notice.

[jmstein7]

"Your comment about going after Boxer by McClintock sounds good to me. If he drops out, can you imagine the support he will get in his campaign against Boxer?

Can you say mega bucks, mega appearances by Pres Bush and Arnold along with more Administration/Senators/RNC folks than you can count would be out campaigning for McClintock!

Would be a smart move and send his career upward!"

Agreed. Now THAT'S good strategy.

[Hollywoodghost]

Tom's a great guy---we need him in Washington not Sacramento. He may drop out of this race but the party and the new governor will remember him in the future.

[EllaMinnow]

Listen, if you ever hear anything out of Schwarzenegger's mouth that's half as horrible, unpatriotic, socialistic, and untruthful as the trash pouring out of the mouths of the 9 Dwarves during their debate last night, get back to me.

Until then, he's very distinguishable from the dems.

[EternalVigilance]

Well, you seem to have it all justified in your mind.

As for me, I consider a vote for a pro-abort to be a vote for brazen evil of the worst sort, and not justifiable.

Guess we'll both have to discuss it with Him.

[DoctorZIn]

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[Afronaut]

"I consider a vote for a pro-abort to be a vote for brazen evil of the worst sort"

You are not alone.

[EternalVigilance]

You are not alone.

That is always very good to know!

[EternalVigilance]

I very much appreciate your posts.

[A2J]

RE: #133

"Promises" are very much like noses, everyone has one and they all smell.

Do you honestly believe that a "Republican" will get his promises through a very liberal legislature where the Republicans are vastly outnumbered even when that "Republican" is a liberal?

Ahnuld will cave just like Davis and his predecessors.

[A2J]

I wouldn't trust those snakes- they don't support conservatives.

And neither do many on FR who will blindly support a person simply because there's an "R" after his/her name.

[ElkGroveDan]

ElkGroveDan, you wrote: ain't gonna happen. I promise. What "ain't gonna happen"? When there is the possibility of a few hundred responses, it's not a bad idea to italicise a reference to which you will subsequently respond.

I thought that the topic of the whole thread would sort of dominate the entire discussion and it would be pretty obvious.

[Afronaut]

I am in awe at your response rate and consistency. Maybe some people will examine their conscience and get some fire for what they believe.

[skeeter]

Feel better? No?

No.

But maybe I'll feel better if you can tell me how RINO Arnold is going to solve our state's problems.

Feel free to be as specific as you like.

[EternalVigilance]

All I can do is pray for that to be the case.