California Special Election Watch: McClintock and Schwarzenegger Teaming Up

The Los Angeles Times has Gov., McClintock on Same Side This Time.

The conservative state senator, who opposed Schwarzenegger in the 2003 recall election, appears in Redding to help promote initiatives.

Campaigning alongside Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday, state Sen. Tom McClintock paused and stated the obvious: “Now, you all know I ran against this governor in the recall.”

Assessing the damage, Schwarzenegger grinned and said, “Just a little bit.”

he legislator from Thousand Oaks could once have been a political liability, but the governor has brought his more conservative — and frequently — contrarian Republican colleague into the tent.

On Tuesday, during an appearance here to promote the Nov. 8 special election, the governor called the senator a “terrific, terrific partner of mine.”

McClintock, the only major Republican to challenge Schwarzenegger during the contentious recall effort in 2003, ended up getting 1.1 million votes, or 13.5%. Further frustrating Schwarzenegger, he signed the ballot arguments opposing the governor’s budget initiatives last year.

But McClintock has produced an ad for talk radio stations supporting the governor’s special election agenda. And he is expected to show up again in conservative areas, such as Redding, the seat of a county where he and Schwarzenegger received nearly 80% of the recall election votes.

Tom McClintock is a very smart yet principled politician. He observed the Republican 11th Commandment when he ran against the Governor in the recall and understands the importance of the special election reforms to California governance. He recognizes his lot is cast with Schwarzenegger’s.

McClintock wil be a good running mate next year. Flap handicaps that the Governor and McClintock will win as Team Republican.

The only question then left for McClintock will be whether in future years he will seek the Governor’s office again or returns to Thousand Oaks and runs for Congress for a one day retiring Elton Gallegly’s seat.

McClintock’s Lt. Governor website is here.

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