Claremont President: McClintock Can Win

The head of California's leading conservative think tanks says Republican Tom McClintock could win California's special election set for Oct. 7.

Brian Kennedy, president of the Claremont Institute, told Fox News on Sunday that while McClintock remains a "long shot," he also has been a "conservative hero for many years" and that he will get a significant portion of the vote.

Kennedy said Schwarzenegger has yet to connect with the Reagan voters who make up the Republican party.

He added that actor Schwarzenegger "made a mistake" not appearing at the candidates' first debate, where State Sen. McClintock demonstrated that he is a "credible candidate."

Kennedy says that voters who care about pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and pro-family issues will vote for McClintock.

Kennedy argues that base vote, plus an electorate angry over Gray Davis' acceptance of a new law giving illegal immigrants driver's licenses, may fuel growing momentum for McClintock.

Recent polls have McClintock third to Bustamante and Schwarzenegger, both of whom are better funded.

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