Tom McClintock's Political Career: R.I.P.

dfu | 9-30-03 | doug from upland

[doug from upland]

Tom McClintock continues his walk toward the California political graveyard. It is an unstoppable walk, almost suicidal in its dedication.

McClintock is my first choice as governor. He would make a great governor. Ronald Reagan would also make a great governor. Unfortunately, those of us who live in the real world of California politics, recognize that neither McClintock, the Gipper, nor the pornstar will be the next governor of California. We recognize that politics is the art of the possible. Although Bruce Herschenson's recent commercials are well done, they are no more than wishful thinking. I've met Bruce. He would have been a great senator, and he came very close.

So, what will happen to McClintock? Unfortunately, he has painted himself into a corner. He has said over and over that he will not drop out. If he drops out now, he will be seen as a liar. If he doesn't drop out and Bustamante is handed the governorship, he will never be forgiven by Republicans. He will be a political dead man walking. Even if Arnold pulls it out in a close 3-man race, the GOP has been hoping for a Terminator mandate. Such would make it easier for him to deal with the runaway RATS who have been destroying our state.

Yes, McClintock is principled. Yes, Arnold only supports some of my own agenda. But Bustamante supports none of my agenda. I guess I'll take someone with whom I have 70% agreement and can win, rather than someone with whom I have 95% agreement who cannot win. Face it, McClintock Kool-Aid drinkers -- he is a great man but he cannot win. Standing on principles is noble, however, if you get no place at the table, all it does it make you feel good that you did the right thing. With a RINO in power, at least we have some chance of influencing policy. Maybe we can even change his mind on some issues. We will never have any influence over the Mecha Man. He will continue to destroy our state.

Tom McClintock is self-terminating. May his political career rest in peace.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Republicans
Informed
Normally
Objective...

[LexBaird]

This is the umpteenth iteration of the same theme:
"Gee, Tom is the better man, who reflects my ideals. But I think I'll vote for half-a-loaf."

I've yet to see a conservative who has written that he or she feels that Arnold is genuinely the better candidate, just that he is the surest bet to win.

I've waited with an open mind, listened to Arnold's pitches, viewed the debate, and let the whole thing perk around in my mind. I wanted to like him and his agenda, I really did.

But, I come to the inevitable conclusion today that I cannot vote for Arnold. His policies don't add up. He cannot support and fund the things he wants and cut the budget at the same time, not with a Dem controlled legislature. He'll have to compromise too much, and I'll get stuck with the bill. And Arnie's "socially liberal" policies besides.

DFU says he agrees with McClintock at 95%, and Arnie at 70%. Running the tally, my Arnie meter hits 40%, tops. With that, my chad gets punched for Tom. There I stand, I can do no other.

The thing that really pisses me off is that the Repubbie Party Powerbrokers pushed us into this position in the first place. They seem to be more interested in the good of the National Party than in the citizens of California. When are they gonna stop offering all their support to the Riordan clone school of politicians, so quick to compromise their values for microscopic gain. That they left Simon swinging in the wind a year ago is the reason we're in this fix now.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Don't forget, so is Simon after his endorsement

---

Was that all they said about him?
Surely he is a virtual abortion clinic by now, right?

[doug from upland]

I hate sharing something in common with Leo Terrell. I will vote for Arnold reluctantly.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" Tom McClintock is self-terminating."

McClintock never seemed to really want the job,his campaign style seemed dispassionate and devoid of energy.He got off track,early on,when his focus became more about preventing Arnold from getting elected,rather than rallying others to his cause and spreading the conservative message.McClintock never looked like he had the fire in the belly for this race.Whoever the Republicans put up in the Senate race,has to be aggressive and effective in staying on message,against what will surely be a vicious and b busting campaign by Boxer.I just don't see Simon,McClintock or Issa as being that person.

[ServesURight]

The Founding Fathers stood on their principles and didn't compromise with the Redcoats.

You don't see DemocRats compromising their agenda to appease conservatives. How many DemocRats are pro-life? Pro-gun? For tax cuts and cutting the size of government? Other than Zell Miller and perhaps John Dingell re: guns, nada, zip, zero.

I'm sick and tired of conservatives kow-towing to the socialist media/Democratic Party spin that Republicans must become more "moderate" or liberal to attract more votes. HOGWASH!

You're a good man DFU and I respect your posts. But you're wrong on this. McClintock was in this race first before Schwarzenegger and his chump supporters decided to jump on the bandwagon and foul things up.

[Jim Robinson]

I'm pro-life, pro-God, pro-family, pro-gun, pro-Constitution, pro-freedom and pro-America. I'm for less taxes, for smaller less intrusive government, for strong national defense. I am anti-feminaziism, anti-homosexual agenda, anti-homosexual marriage, anti-extra-constitutional rights for any class or group of people, anti-illegal immigration, anti-drivers licenses for illegal aliens, anti-liberal give away programs attracting illegal immigrants, anti-wealth redistribution, anti-bureaucracy, anti-liberal and anti-Democrat. I'm anti-global warming treaty (it's a farce), anti-junk science, anti-UN, anti-environmentalism and I'm pro-drilling. I'm anti-income tax, anti-big government, anti-social security, anti-mediscare, anti-goverment schools, and for a repeal of the 16th and 17th amendments. I'm anti-universal healthcare, anti-government forced insurance coverage and anti-union for government workers. I'm for everyone paying their own medical expenses and providing for their own retirements where they can. I'm pro-business, pro-entrepreneur and pro-individualism. I'm pro-SUV, pro-4WD, pro-BBQ, pro-sleeping under the stars. I'm anti-corruption, anti-Clinton (any of them), likewise anti-Kennedy. I'm half-horse, half alligator and part snapping turtle. I can turn a jack, I can lay a track. I was born standing up and talking back. Now who do you think I'll vote for.

[Saundra Duffy]

I'll be "walking for Tom" (precinct walking) this Saturday - me and my friends. Schwarznkennedy breezed into Fresno yesterday and raised a cool half a million dollars from the ag lobby. The CRP is in love with the star. On the star's dream team are people who gave money to Hillary Clinton and other creepy democrats. Doug From Upland actually wants me to vote for and support a guy who has surrounded himself with worshippers and big operators of the democrat machine. California will be run by the Kennedy's.

Well, if you want to sell your soul to the democrats, I can't stop you, but I sure as hell don't have to go down on my knees and let myself be SCREWED without at least putting up a fight. I want my gun rights. I want to live in a society that protects and defends the right to life. I don't want Arnold calling me "right wing crazy" because I happen to support Prop 54 (racial privacy initiative), and I don't like the idea of the radical gay agenda being shoved down my throat. I'm funny that way.

So, I'll be walking precincts for McClintock this Saturday and invite other true blue conservatives to do the same.

www.helptom.com

[ssdb]

I just love the smell of arrogant rinos in the morning

[doug from upland]

Doug posted, and ran. He would vote for Micky Mouse. He plays the game like Clinton. Aways some stupid end play envoved.

==========================================

Foolish and insulting post. Doug has actually been on several phone calls since the post negotiating protecting a major building in New York from the terrorist bastards. We hope to know tomorrow. Doug has also been on the phone trying to hold together a deal involving the sale of a commercial building in Houston. Hardly running, huh? Here's a tip -- learn to spell Mickey Mouse if you are going to attempt cuteness. I play no game like Clinton. Also, learn to spell involved. You used the word "stupid." Do I need to send that back to you, or is it obvious to everyone?

[xeno]

McClintock never looked like he had the fire in the belly

I don't even think I've seen him smile, ever. The best I've seen is a smirk.

[Robert_Paulson2]

"Now who do you think I'll vote for."

---

hopefully Arnold....
heh heh... and yes I KNOW better.... but still.

[doug from upland]

Point taken, Russell. I had actually been slow to call for Tom to drop out in case something really bad happened to Arnold (including getting whacked by the insane RATS). But now, the time has come. I had always hoped Tom would be the October surprise, hold a news conference, and seal the RATS' doom about 5 days before the election. Unfortunately, he has backed himself into a corner. If he had numbers equivalent to Arnold, my view would be different. We cannot have Bustamante.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Why didn't you run bud? you know WE would have voted for you...

[Sabertooth]

Even if Arnold pulls it out in a close 3-man race, the GOP has been hoping for a Terminator mandate. Such would make it easier for him to deal with the runaway RATS who have been destroying our state.

This is where I disagree with you, Doug.

Schwarzenegger could win 80% of the vote on October 7th, and the gerrymandered, safe-seat Democrat legislature would still define "mandate" as a lifestyle magazine.

On the other hand, a Schwarzenegger win by a plurality will be a cautionary note to future Republican statewide candidates who are generally going to need a majority to win.

One of the goals of the architects of Schwarzenegger's campaign has been to disprove the 1962 lesson Richard Nixon, in his loosing gubernatorial campaign. However, as a conservative sage wrote recently...

Richard Nixon once told a friend that he had learned from his own experience running for governor of California in 1962 that you can't win merely by appealing to conservatives. "But you can't win unless you do appeal to conservatives."
William F. Buckley- August 25, 2003

Schwarzenegger's team thought they could duck debates, wave polls in the air, and ram a center-left agenda down the throats of the GOP's right wing. They have miscalculated.

Therefore, to underscore the point when October 7th rolls around, I'll be voting Yes on Recall, and for Tom McClintock to replace Gray Davis.

[doug from upland]

I appreciate your position. I hope that Arnold is unique enough that his larger-than-life presence can actually do something. He makes news where he goes. He will get exposure on television to make his case. The media will not be able to ignore him. And, perhaps this is a sleeper benefit, he will appeal to normally foolish young brain dead RATS whose schools never exposed them to our message. Maybe Arnold can have a big influence on them.

[AAABEST]

LMAO!

n/m I guess

[Cautor]

Well said Doug. If you can't get elected, you're nothing in conservative politics because you can't effect change for the better. Tom could have played this in a way that would have really launched his career as a national political figure, but he showed he's just an amateur. Something always beats nothing, and 70% always beats 0%.

[habs4ever]

..yeah, and an hour after you give Keyes money, he'll call you a RINO!

[doug from upland]

If Arnold wins, we have a seat at the table. You get nothing done if you are locked outside in the cold.