Posted on 09/19/2003 8:56:57 PM PDT by FairOpinion
In recent days, Tom McClintock, the "other Republican" in California's recall race, has accepted a million dollars spent on his behalf by a left-wing special interest group. He has claimed that a Democrat victory in the recall election would be desirable, as it would better his chances in 2006. And he has joined with Democrat Cruz Bustamante in a boycott against fellow Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger. This is the man we're supposed to believe represents the conscience of conservatism? At the end of the day, Tom McClintock's Faustian Pact with the Left has made one thing clear - it's all about Tom McClintock.
The $1 million to be spent on McClintock's behalf is by Indian gambling interests, a staunch Democratic special interest. I wrote about the possibility of left-wing special interests backing McClintock in order to divide Republicans several weeks back. Now it is a reality. The Sacramento Bee has announced that the Morongo tribe is spending $1 million to boost McClintock's candidacy and it's not because they want him to win. The money spent on McClintock is meant to split the Republican vote so their loyal servant, Democrat Cruz Bustamante, can emerge the winner. With enough left- wing money, McClintock can steal enough votes from Arnold to make that happen. Tom's win-at-any-cost mindset has him collaborating with leftist groups who want nothing more than a divided Right to throw the election to Bustamante. Does McClintock see that the Left is using him? Maybe there's a reason it's called "blind" ambition.
McClintock's partnership with the liberal special interests raises serious questions about his loyalty to the GOP. McClintock has said he puts his personal "principles" before the party. But there's a deeper reason McClintock doesn't care that his spoiler candidacy will doom Republicans in the recall race.
In a conversation with US Congressman Dan Burton, Tom McClintock said the following: he (McClintock) didn't mind it if Democrats win the gubernatorial race because it could improve his own chances in 2006. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Burton, one of the more conservative members of Congress, also said McClintock had seemed to suggest that it would be acceptable for a Democrat to hold the governor's office, because he might create a clamor for a Republican in 2006.". So that's what this is really about. If McClintock can't win, he can at least prevent the Republicans from winning so he has a better shot in 2006. Aren't we glad he's playing for our team?
McClintock is now collaborating with Cruz Bustamante to boycott the California Broadcasters Association's debate on the 24th as a means of showing up Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bustamante led the boycott charge on October 17th with McClintock soon followed his lead. When you see a Republican siding with a Democrat against a fellow Republican, you know something is wrong with the picture. Don't adjust your set- this is Tom McClintock, the self-styled conscience of conservatism.
As if things couldn't get any worse, McClintock is justifying his candidacy on a poll strategically conducted by the left-wing Los Angeles Times, which wants nothing more than to keep him in the race. That Times' poll has been debunked by Field and even invalidated by the Times' own reporting. It added 6% more self-identified conservatives than other polls and naturally gave McClintock an artificial 5% bump. But McClintock is clinging to this cooked poll, another leftist ploy, because it serves his interests.
What kind of a conservative lets left-wing interests drive his candidacy like this? The answer is a candidate who is so blind with ambition that he does not see how the Left is using him to their own ends. Thus far, McClintock has claimed he stands for principle, but it is obvious that his hopeless candidacy is based on personal ambition. It's no longer appropriate to view McClintock as merely a misguided crusader. He is a bigger threat to Republican victory on Election Day than Cruz Bustamante. Up until now, McClintock has responded to arguments for stepping aside with denial, delusion, and arrogance. Given his collaboration with the Left, Republicans must get serious with him. McClintock's "stalking horse" candidacy must come to an end.
Arnold does nothing to advance the conservative agenda or the Republican Party platform and he only damages the conservative credentials of the California GOP. The objective and ultimate goal of conservatism is to triumph over liberalism. That can't be accomplished by electing a liberal like Arnold. He's a self-professed and well known "social liberal", but he's not convinced conservative Republicans he's a true fiscal conservative.
I doubt Arnold cares about what conservatives think. He won't debate Tom McClintock and his other poliitcal opponents, he won't take a no tax pledge and he won't release his economic recovery plan for California, until after the recall election is over with. Arnold's scripted responses and rhetorical bluster are amateurish at best. It's obvious Arnold can't think on his feet and needs coaching to tell him how to act and what to say. Arnold is, a political empty suit.
Next time, I'm not a spoilsport like McCruz.
Nice credentials.
Perhaps he "wants to watch".
But neither will I support (R)nuld. I'll just stay home.
That's why conservatives should, if the article is true, let the liberals, which include (R)nuld, fight it out while we sit this one out and wait until '06.
Tom demanded a one on one debate with Arnold and that would have been stupid, for Arnold; not to mention irrational. This is NOT a primary.
Arnold has said that he SHALL do one debate, but Tom has decided to go with Cruz's letter, sight unseen, and NOT go to that debate. Chicken, or just cut one's nose off, to spite one's face manuever ?
Tom has the personality of wet, used toilet paper. He isn't getting any crossovers. Arnold, whether you find him so, or not ( personally, I'm not impressed by it ), has a certain charismatic something, which IS garnerring lots of GOP sign ups. That matters ! Not all Dems for Ronnie were Conservatives. Still, many of them have stayed and helped the GOP to win other elections. That's the point. Addicts ( and being a Dem is akin to being an addled, addicted, loser )need to take that first step; without it, they'll never shake their habit.
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, any more than you can instantly make a Conservative out of an apathetic nonGOP supporter. But, once in the fold, you CAN make that person realize how much better Conservatism is.
You negative points about Arnold, are the exact same points, the Dems made/make aabout President Bush.
I agree with McClintock's premise completely. California is terminal. The only way to save it is to let it die. Nothing can kill a state like liberalism run amock.
Bump for the truth!
Sacramento — Senator Tom McClintock is delighted that negotiations on site in Sacramento this morning resulted in the needed commitment by the California Broadcasters Association to ensure a free flowing and open debate on September 24th, 2003 on the campus of California State University, Sacramento.
The CBA has assured the McClintock Campaign that there will be a one minute limit to the scripted answers, followed by an "interactive crossfire" type of exchange. This will ensure sufficient time for the candidates to question each other and have a free spirited debate.
"This is a major victory for the voters of California" said Tom McClintock. "I am looking forward to a very stimulating and open exchange."
That's how we got Clinton, in '92; remember ? That really, really, REALLY taught GHW Bush a lesson, didn't it ?
Sounds like this could be desperation grabs by the sinking (R)nuld campaign, although it does trouble me.
Chalk up one for Tom!
Oops! You missed this at #57...
First of all, I'm not a McClintock supporter. I'm voting for Schwarzenegger, and I'd advise every McClintock supporter to do likewise
And your great idea involves voting for a liberal who calls himself a "Republican?"
As someone has said, "The lesser of two evils is still evil."
(R)nuld is no different than Davis.
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