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.

[Fred Mertz]

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

Will the riot police be on duty? I may forgo watching football this weekend, this convention might be more exciting.

[william clark]

And you can bet that the day after McClintock pulls out, the Democrat smear machine will unload whatever reserves of sleaze they have against Arnold. If it's devastating enough, that'll leave a whole lot of Republican leaders (and more than a few Freepers) with the makings of a huge omelet on their collective face.

[EggsAckley]

Batten down the hatches!

Fasten your seatbelts!

[Pubbie]

Hmm...

[PhiKapMom]

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!

[Pubbie]

hmmm...

[Russell Scott]

I hate the way the media is trying to cram Arnie down our throats at all costs.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Does Newsmax now do the bidding of higherups?

[dead]

They've already unloaded the gang-banging, pot-smoking, racist ammo.

Unless he killed somebody, he's kinda in the clear.

[EggsAckley]

Thanks for the ping. This should be interesting. Gonna run off to the store while it warms up. Don't let me miss anything, now, y'hear?

~</;o)

[TexasNative2000]

hmmmmm.......

[CheneyChick]

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

Don't let the door smack you on your way out, Bustamecha...

[PhiKapMom]

I think you are wrong -- there is nothing they can throw at Arnold that is going to stick because the mantra has been from the beginning of this campaign that Davis, et al, will come in at the last minute and drop something on Arnold.

Voters have come to know the RAT sleeze machine and IMO will not be swayed except to vote out Davis and take out Bustamante for once again launching a sleezy attack at the end of a campaign.

Am sure that Drudge will be right there with the RATs -- his credibility is worthless even though he may not realize that fact!

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Its info from the elected Republican insider of Congressman David Drier.

[theFIRMbss]

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

Are these polls for real?
Bustamante only gets
real voters. Arnold

will bring in millions
who never voted before.
Do polls reflect this?!

[NeoCaveman]

ABB: Anything But Bustamente!

ABB Bump!

[KellyAdmirer]

The reaction of some here when McClintock pulls out and perhaps endorses Arnold will be fascinating to watch. I suspect it will closely resemble what happens when a young boy I know does not get his way but his friends are playing with his video game....