Almost one month after the historic Election Day that swept Barack Obama into power, conservatives have finally uncovered the silver lining: Tom McClintock will soon be sworn in as a congressman. Vowing to “carry the message” of traditional Republican values to Washington, D.C., Tom McClintock declared his victory in the 4th congressional district contest at a press conference today.
Two hours earlier and just 30 miles away, new and returning members of the state legislature were sworn in to the legislative bodies where McClintock served for over two decades. The commute home won’t be quite as easy now.
Surrounded by staff, faithful volunteers, supporters, and media, McClintock delivered his long-awaited (and expected) victory speech at his campaign headquarters, the nerve center of post-election operations. Thanking his supporters for their hard work and expressing his humility at being chosen to serve them in Congress, the congressman-elect emphasized that in a close election, every volunteer action is significant. He then thanked the voters of the district, telling them that the message they sent has been “heard around the nation.”
McClintock also congratulated his opponent Charlie Brown on a hard-fought campaign. “I know what it’s like to lose a close election,” explained McClintock when asked about Brown’s sentiment at the moment. A question was raised about whether Brown still has a chance of winning or demanding a recount. McClintock pointed out that his margin of victory was larger than those in the tight races won by Tony Strickland and Alyson Huber, both sworn in to the state legislature earlier in the afternoon. Only El Dorado County remains uncertified and it is highly unlikely to deliver enough votes to reverse the current vote tally, in which McClintock leads by 1,775 votes.
Asked whether he would support the new presidential administration, McClintock responded, “I’ll support the new administration when it’s right, and oppose it when it’s wrong.” He went on to once again express his absolute opposition to the recent federal bailouts of Wall Street. His solution to strengthening the ailing economy? Get government off the people’s back. Government policies have created the current economic crisis and more such policies will continually hamper national productivity.
After the press conference, I had the opportunity to sit down with Congressman-elect McClintock to talk about the campaign and his freshman term.
A veteran of many political campaigns, I asked McClintock where this race ranks. He described this race as the most difficult. In the primary he faced former congressman Doug Ose, a “very capable and well-funded candidate.” The general election was a fight against the “political tide” that benefited Democrats everywhere.
So what’s it like, after several campaigns for Congress, to finally win? Quoting a friend, McClintock described his transition from the state legislature to Congress as working in “the best AAA ball club in the league, but it’s nice to spend a season or two in the big leagues.”
McClintock’s many years in the California legislature have certainly prepared him for what many D.C. Republicans are still getting used to: minority status in both houses and a liberal executive branch. “I’ve spent my entire career in the minority in the California legislature and over those years have come to the conclusion that in a democracy the minority does not get to govern,” explained McClintock. “But the minority has an equally important role to play in the process. The responsibly of the minority is to develop a better vision of governance than the majority party, take that vision to the people and earn their charter to govern.”
Somewhere along the way Republicans lost the vision of governance they promised to America and McClintock wants to restore that vision by actually abiding by the principles voters supported when they gave Congress to Republicans in 1994. Can rank-and-file Republicans renew their faith in the party after House Republicans re-elected the same leadership that oversaw the abandonment of conservative principles and loss of power? McClintock firmly believes there will be a return to conservative principles; “the House Republican Conference will insist upon it.” And if the leadership doesn’t, the rank-and-file “will demand it.”
McClintock has already interacted with his fellow House Republicans, having just returned from freshman orientation. His assessment of the general mood amongst the Republicans is “There is a sober recognition that this class must restore the Republican Party to its traditional role, as a defender of our individual freedom.”
Even with a committed class of freshman, America must still contend with a Democrat control of Congress and the White House. “It’s both a blessing and a curse in a democracy that we get the government we vote for,” commented McClintock. He reflected that four years of Jimmy Carter—terrible years—were enough to bring voters to their senses and elect Ronald Reagan. So who are the Carter-succeeding Reagans on the horizon? McClintock is keeping his eye on Newt Gingrich and Fred Thompson and is optimistic about the “strong bench” of candidates ready to enter the 2012 campaign.
He’s also optimistic about the future of the GOP in general. “Never has a minority party had an easier case to make in presenting a better vision of governance than the one that the Democrats are now preparing to legislate.”
As for McClintock’s personal ambitions in the 111th Congress, he’s requested committee assignments on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and—his specialty—Budget. Legislative priorities include completion of the Auburn Dam, whether through federal aid or a joint powers agreement with water rights holders. He describes the project as “essential to the future prosperity and safety of this region.” McClintock will also propose a constitutional amendment giving the president the line-item veto that most governors enjoy, and a balanced budget amendment.
McClintock described the opportunity to serve in Congress as “the greatest honor and challenge of my life.” In talking with Tom McClintock, one really does sense that he is not the typical politician who “graduates” to higher office simply for more power. There’s a refreshing Mr.-Smith-Goes-to-Washington aura about him that confirms he truly is honored and humbled to serve in the same legislative body as the great American leaders he so often quotes—verbatim. This is rare for anyone who has served even one term as an elected official, let alone 20+ years. But as McClintock’s wife Lori described it to me today, “He’s ready to go.”
**Special thanks to Jennifer Dettori for the pictures.**