He cost Arnold Schwarzenegger votes in the California recall election by staying in the race until the bitter end, but the governor-elect is backing former rival Tom McClintock in his re-election campaign.
In what the Los Angeles Times called a "gesture of unity," Schwarzenegger offered to appear and speak at a fund raiser for the conservative Republican state senator.
"The election is over, and the time for working together to move California forward is upon us," Schwarzenegger's spokesman H.D. Palmer said.
"Throughout the campaign, [Schwarzenegger] said that Senator McClintock was a bright individual who brought a lot of constructive ideas on how to control state spending to the debate," Palmer said. "Now, [Schwarzenegger is] gathering support from all members of the Legislature as he moves forward to implement his agenda."
Although surprised by Schwarzenegger's pledge of support, McClintock vowed to get behind the newly elected governor.
"[Schwarzenegger] has pledged to bring our party together, and he's obviously very serious about doing so," McClintock said. "And I intend to do everything I can to assist him in cutting spending and balancing the state budget without raising taxes."
McClintock, first elected to the Legislature in 1982, doesn't need much help. His probable Democrat opponent, Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, has dropped out of the race because she's convinced he can't be beaten.
"My decision not to run is based upon the fact that the district was designed for Mr. McClintock's incumbency ... to ensure the re-election of the right-wing incumbent," the left-wing sore loserman said. She failed to say why she didn't bellyache to the Democrats who run the state and rig the gerrymandered legislative districts to suit their own ends.
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