McClintock won’t run
against Boxer

By WND Staff

Despite national promotion by conservative icon Rush Limbaugh, California Sen. Tom McClintock says he will not be taking on Democrat Barbara Boxer for her U.S. Senate seat next year.


Tom McClintock

“If nominated, I will not run. If elected I will not serve,” McClintock told radio host Roger Hedgecock, who is filling in for Limbaugh.

“I’ve spent the last 23 years of my life focused on state public policy, and at the moment, I think the best place I can use that experience is to continue my work in the state Senate.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s victory last week in the California recall saw a combined total over 62 percent of votes going for Republicans, and Limbaugh had suggested McClintock now make the jump to the national arena.

“What I would love to see now is Tom McClintock run against Barbara Boxer,” Limbaugh said on his Oct. 8 program. “It is time for McClintock to capitalize on this. Barbara Boxer represents the Davis-Bustamante wing of the Democratic party. And Barbara Boxer can be beaten. I honestly believe that if Schwarzenegger had not been in this race, McClintock may have won.”

While McClintock categorically said he would not challenge Boxer, he did say he believes she’s vulnerable at the ballot box.

“I think we’ve seen a political sea change occur in California. This is again Reagan country.”

McClintock also says the strong GOP showing in the Golden State where only 35 percent of voters are registered Republicans bodes well for his party’s future.

“People in California have finally figured out that socialism doesn’t work any better here than anywhere else it’s been tried,” he said.

McClintock did endorse a candidate already in the race, state Assemblyman Tony Strickland.

“If the conservative base will unite around a candidate like Tony Strickland, I believe that Barbara Boxer is history.”

Former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin is already running for Boxer’s seat, and other names being tossed about as potential candidates include U.S. Rep. David Dreier, comedian Dennis Miller, “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer, and former Secretary of State Bill Jones.

Yesterday, Republican Rep. Mary Bono announced she would not seek Boxer’s office.

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