CA-04: McClintock Commits Political Bigamy

He's running for two offices at the same time. Tom McClintock is actively raising money for a 2010 Board of Equalization campaign in the event that he loses the Congressional race against Charlie Brown. The proof is right here. From the press release from the Brown campaign:

Since the beginning of the year--and even after he announced his exploratory committee for Congress-- Tom McClintock spent over $50,000 for his potential 2010 campaign for California State Board of Equalization and raised over $32,000 during this time period. These figures include 3 contributions to his 2010 statewide campaign fund on the same day he announced his congressional bid for CA-04, and thousands more in the months that followed---including a contribution from tobacco giant Reynolds American.

Reminiscent of Congressman John Doolittle, Senator McClintock also made a $15,000 donation marked “charity” to his own political organization---“Tom McClintock’s Citizens for the California Republic .”

In addition, Senator McClintock employed the same finance director – Igor Birman – to solicit contributions for both his federal and state committees. Mr. Birman was paid to solicit funds for the non-federal committee through March 5, 2008 and began receiving payments from the federal committee on Feb. 6, 2008.

Using state campaign funds for a federal campaign is illegal.

I think McClintock has to admit that he has a problem. The man is addicted to running for office, so much so that he can't stop one campaign before he starts another. Even Alan Keyes has enough sense to run one race at a time.

Charlie Brown's statement:

“I decided to run for Congress to do what the career politicians have repeatedly failed to do—bring people together to solve problems in our district and across our country. I have no ambition for higher office because I believe there is no greater honor than to serve the nation I dedicated my life to defending, and to represent the community where I have lived, worked and raised my family these past 17 years.

It’s time for State Senator McClintock to level with the people in our community. What office are you running for? Will you give back all the money you’ve raised for your statewide bid since February 1, 2008 – including the money you took from the tobacco companies?”

Aside from being illegal, how could voters in the 4th District expect that the guy who's already looking for his next office has any interest in or concern for their lives and their challenges? McClintock is just trying to cash a paycheck. He has one political job, and is running for two or maybe three more.

This is the defining narrative of this whole campaign - leader vs. opportunist.