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.

[dead]

You've got to remember the Republican machine that got Arnie into the game in the first place

You’ve got to make it up before you can remember it.

The “Republican Machine” did not want Arnold in the race. They’ve had to adjust to the fact that he was going to do it despite their resistance to the idea.

[=Intervention=]

"Surely they've had time by now to dig up whatever dastardly deeds they could find"

~shaking my head~ That's not their goal. Their goal is to wait until the last possible minute to dump the dirt, thus winning over the independents, demoralizing Arnie's base, and trying to squeak to election. Think: Bush/Gore race in '00. That was the purpose of breaking the DUI story so late. They've got something against Arnie they're saving for this purpose, dimes to doughnuts.

[giotto]

McClintock could turn himself into a GOP hero overnight, then run against Boxer

Now that is a scenario I like. Anything to get rid of Boxer. This is the wave that McClintock could ride to a position more suitable to his legislative experience, and more important than Governor of CA.

[TexasNative2000]

And I thought you were just being contemplative. . . . .

[CheneyChick]

Sorry - I don't agree. This election has a huge impact on the pocketbook of every Californian. We need a fiscal conservative and that isn't Bustamante.

[DiamondDon1]

hmmm...

[per loin]

Given McClintock's loud wails about being in it to the finish, it seems likely that he is about to drop out.

[Tempest]

Thanks for the ping :) So when will the McNuggets be showing up?

[DiamondDon1]

It is possible they could be on to something....[NOT]...

Hmmmm...

DD

[=Intervention=]

*shrugs* I'm going with what I've seen the CA Pubbie leadership demonstrate so far -- a preference for "moderates" and "liberals" and certainly not conservatives. It fits in with the rappaproachment (sp) that Rove has with those guys, and with history. If Arnie wasn't their selection, I wonder who was. It certainly wasn't Tom or Peter.

[ElkGroveDan]

ain't gonna happen. I promise.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Not to mention the photos of him giving the Nazi salute at the annual party rallies.

[pt17]

You've got to remember the Republican machine that got Arnie into the game in the first place

The Republicans have a machine in CA? I thought it was only few parts here and there.

[KellyAdmirer]

LOL, they always do make the firmest statements right before they drop out. As Ronald Reagan would say, "That sound you hear is the concrete cracking around my feet."

[skeeter]

If he drops out, can you imagine the support he will get in his campaign against Boxer?

Yeah, about the same amount of support they've given to other conservative republicans over the past ten years.

And Arnold supporters will be every bit as eager to support him then as they are now.

Psst. They don't LIKE conservatives.

[LayoutGuru2]

This will be truly sad, but perhaps Kahleefornia is not quite ready yet for a true conservative governor. Maybe a few years of Ah-nold will help turn the left-wing tide and wake some folks up. I would like to see McClintock serving a larger role in helping to get the state out of their mess. The guy really has his head screwed on right.

Oregonians for McClintock!!!

[onyx]

McNader is due on Sean Hannity's radio show in a few minutes, and Bill O'Reilly said this morning that he anticipates Sean will ask Tom about stepping aside, (for all the good that it will do)!

I'll tell you this, if McNader remains in the race "to the bitter end" he will be setting himself up to be the most despised Republican in this state.

[Constitution Day]

Munch munch!

[Tempest]

"I'll eat my hat, as they say... "

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