With Thompson out, Tom McClintock leans to Ron Paul

With Fred Thompson out of the presidential race, who's a self-respecting conservative to go for? Could it be, maybe, perhaps, a certain Republican-libertarian from Texas?

That's one question perplexing California state Sen. Tom McClintock, possibly the second-most-famous California Republican currently in office after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

McClintock created a stir two months when he endorsed Thompson’s presidential candidacy. Having run for governor, lieutenant governor and state controller, McClintock has shown that while he has not won a statewide contest, he can win GOP primaries, which conservatives tend to dominate. So heading into the Feb. 5 primary, McClintock’s endorsement is seen as important in California.

Now McClintock is mulling his choices. And it comes down to the basics: "Who will respect our Constitution, defend our borders, and reduce the burdens of government on our people?" McClintock said Thursday in Sacramento as the Senate wrapped up its week. "If I were to vote today, I probably would be casting a vote for Ron Paul. I’m not voting today."

Why Paul?

"I do believe he will respect our Constitu-" McClintock said, then stopped midthought. "I don’t want to go too far. I am still looking."

Why not former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney? "I want somebody with a consistent record," McClintock said. "I want someone who didn’t have to go through a political epiphany the day before he announced his candidacy."

-- Dan Morain

Comments

[Eloy Gonzalez II]

Why the trepidation over endorsing Ron Paul, Sen Tom McClintock? It's seems altogether clear based on the contents of the above article that you are just like everyone else who sees Ron Paul for the decent and honest true conservative presidential candidate that he is. The future of America is too precious and uncertain to be wishy-washy and politically correct about this issue. I say, stick to the guy with the unwaivering constitutional principles and impeccable congressional voting record and support him no matter what. Certainly that's what I'm going to do when I cast my vote for Ron Paul. :)

[John]

Just one more piece of evidence that shows Ron Paul is the only TRUE CONSERVATIVE in this race.

[James Stevenson]

Old man McClintock is so funny, on one hand he knows what good but on the other hand " don’t want to go too far. I am still looking", he doesn't want to be ruined by his Neo Con constituency. Ron Paul for president.

[FreedomJoyAdventure]

"If I were to vote today, I probably would be casting a vote for Ron Paul. I’m not voting today."

Does he believe a better candidate will magically appear at this point? I've been hoping and waiting for a Ron Paul presidency since 1984.

"I do believe he will respect our Constitu-" McClintock said, then stopped midthought. "I don’t want to go too far. I am still looking."

He should have taken that thought and run with it. Too bad he lost his resolve. Seriously, where does he think he's going to find a better candidate?

Ron Paul is the only candidate that has a consistent record of respecting the Constitution.

'Why not former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney? "I want somebody with a consistent record," McClintock said.'

Holy cow, Tom, Ron Paul has been consistent for over two decades. What more do you want? Most of the other candidates can't maintain any consistency for more than two months.

For the record, I'm really glad and relieved that Fred Thompson dropped out. He made a lot of the right-sounding noises, but he's no Ron Paul, not by a long shot.

Nice article, guys.

[Aaron]

I don't live in Cali, but McClintock sounds like a smart guy.

[Colt-1]

It makes perfect sense that McClintock would come around. He's a rare breed in an ultra-liberal practicallly socialist state.

Vote Ron Paul

[Web Smith]

As Sir William would say, keep it simple.

Almost all of the issues would not exist if we had only followed the Constitution.

It does come down to a simple choice.

[Karen]

I'm a Thompson supporter trying to figure out the same thing. WHY did Fred have to go!!!! I can't do Mitt- he's a flip flopping joke. And I hate Huck's fair tax (imagine trying to buy a new car or house w/taxes like that!) plus his changes lately...he used to want a national smoking ban! That's not small govt. And he's using Paul talking points these days, it sounds weird coming from Huck. And McCain? He's not conservative and I lost faith in him a long time ago. He needs to hang up his hat. Giuliani? Pro-illegal immigrant, pro-choice, anti-gun, pro-war...he's Hillary.

[mana]

Go Dr. Ron Paul :)

[Buddy]

Ron Paul is the only candidate who will abide by the Constitution and truely has the American individual's best interest at heart. He is the candidate that will get this country turned around and headed the right direction and he will do it quickly.

~RON PAUL 2008~

[Ted Fuller]

Ron Paul is not a war monger!! Vote for Ron Paul! www.ronpaul2008.com

[Jerry Matteo]

Well SenatorMcClintock,

Being as how the CA primary is less than two weeks away, I hope you don't sit on the fence too, long. Ron Paul's track record is all the proof one needs to see that he is the only candidate who has consistently supported the Constitution. I've noticed how the other candidates of BOTH parties deal out little sound-bites of Ron Paul's message. It seems that if the other Republican candidates aren't mocking him, they're trying to mimic him, in order to tell people what they want to hear. Your strong endorsement of Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul is what he AND the American people need in order to restore the constitutional foundation of this country, so that we may enjoy a free and prosperous life and a harmonious relationship with the rest of the world.

[Ted Fuller]

Ron Paul is not a war monger!! Vote for Ron Paul! www.ronpaul2008.com

[john]

Tom McClintock is who I voted for in the recall election based on his principles and stance on the issues. It's great to know he's still the same (just to be able to 'mull over' Ron Paul in public takes guts for politicians now).

McClintock's endorsement of Ron Paul will help McClintock. Because with or without McClintock, the Revolution will go on. I believe Mr. McClintock can become even greater voice in California by aligning himself with this Revolution -- he ought to know that it is better to choose to be aligned with truth and what is right than to enjoy the temporary success and delusions of aligning with what must ultimately fail in the long run.

Go Ron Paul!!

[Craig Combs]

I really don't understand Senator McClintock's reticence in endorsing Ron Paul. "Who will respect our Constitution, defend our borders, and reduce the burdens of government on our people?" McClintock asks. Dr. Paul is the champion of the Constitution, has real plans to address both the physical, economic and legal dimensions to the border problem, and has consistently called for smaller government and sound monetary policy for decades.

"I want somebody with a consistent record," McClintock said. "I want someone who didn’t have to go through a political epiphany the day before he announced his candidacy." How could this requirement fit anybody except for Dr. Paul?

Romney, Huckabee, Giuliani and McCain are deficit-spending Schwarzenegger Republicans - not the kind of leaders we need when we are facing a $9.3+ TRILLION dollar debt and $59 TRILLION in entitlement liabilities.

[Billy]

Ron is making conservatives come out of the closet.

[tanah]

Yep!
He is Smart!
With Fred out-and guiliani almost out...
The choice is CLEAR...
Huckbee is one of the 10 most wanted politicians in Washington due to "fraud" -do your own research... he is also a christian socialist.
I am a strong christian and i wouldn't vote for him despite his "eloquence" and charm.
Ron Paul is also a STRONG Christian-who has a personal relationship with Jesus but he doesn't bring it up unless asked (he thinks politics should stay away from religion-is against constitution :)
I wish the media would take note of that...
Ron Paul is my candidate--he would shred OBAMA OR HILLARY in economy and foreign policy (shred them to pieces).
I wish he would debate them one on one.
Ron P never ducks the questions....
RECONISIDER if voting for someone else and vote for RON PAUL.
Don't believe he doesn't have a shot-VOTE your conscience.
Tanah -Cedar PArk, TX :)

[John - San Francisco]

Come on Tom, commit already. McCain can't win. He's crazy. Anybody locked in a dungeon for years has deep psychological scars that obstruct sound judgment. Americans aren't ready for a Mormon. Huckabee and Giuliani are sideshows.

Which issue does Rep. Paul's opinion differ from yours? Immigration? The economy? Guns, gay marriage, healthcare??? He seems to be the perfect choice if it weren't for all the media parrots squawking "but, he can't win... but, he can't win."

The media continually telling us Giuliani was a frontrunner didn't make it so, and neither will constantly telling us Paul can't win. It just diminishes the media credibility.

[John]

I've sent Mr. McClintock emails asking to endores Ron Paul. It's an easy choice as both public figures have more in common than differences. Paul and McClintock joining would be a powerful political force. Stop playing politics Mr. McClintock! Get with program and stop the wishy washy bull. You have a job to do, and that is to protect the republic bound by the Constitution from foreign and domestic enemies.

[Kari Alfaro]

Dear Mr. McClintock, You once spoke with a few of my friends in front of the State Capitol about their supporting Ron Paul. They where very impressed with you and I am delighted to hear you have taken Ron Paul's message to a new level. I encourage you to officially support Ron Paul. He is what this country needs and the others are just more of the same. Thank You!
Sincerely,
Kari Alfaro

[Bryan Zubrod]

Makes sense. Politicians in any party are being seen as fake, and pre-canned. Americans are losing trust in politics, and Ron Paul is the only candidate that could change that. His record and his ideas are rock solid since it's based strictly on the constitution. Our government needs many more people like him.

[Jim in Berkeley]

Wow, this is great news. I have great respect for Mr. McClintock. I've been waffling on Ron Paul mostly because of his newsletters and his seemly close association with racist groups, but I love most of his message. It would definitely help seal the deal of me voting for Mr. Paul if Tom endorsed him.

[Martin]

It's about time McClintock came around towards the Paul camp. Why the hesitation? McClintock interviewed Ron Paul several months ago and seemed to give hima glowing endorsement, although not officially. As a former McClintock supporter, I was very disappointed that he had endorsed Fred Thompson. Yet we must remember that Tom endorsed Schwarzenegger in 06 after opposing him so vehemently in 03.

Matter of fact I wrote this article last week before Fred Dropped out, entitled

Which Big-Government Socialist Will Tom McClintock Endorse Next?
By Martin Hill
LibertyFight.com

http://libertyfight.741.com/mcclintock.html

It may be too late for McClintock, he's shown himself to be an unreliable poser.

[Scott]

Oh please, get off the fence already, Ron Paul is so clearly in a class of his own their can be no ambiguity as to where you stand. You either love freedom and sound policy, or you're comfortable with the government controlling your life. We are suppose to be "the land of free and the home of the brave", so let's stop being the being the pussilanimous sheep being led by a by a disrespecting shepherd.

[Mike Knapp]

McClintock is on the right track. Paul's record is steadfast. He is running on the exact same platform and saying the exact same things he said when he ran 20 years ago. And his voting record between the two is as consistent as can be.

For more info go to www.ronpaul2008.com

Also, thank you to the LA Times, one of the few mainstream media outlets that seems to give Dr. Paul a fair shake.