McClintock, Brown spar over stance on issues, voting record

The campaign for State Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) called its opponent, Charlie Brown, "wishy-washy" on issues this week, saying he'd changed his views on topics repeatedly during the campaign to represent the 4th Congressional District.

McClintock's campaign, in a press release, said Brown was not being consistent on such issues as his stances on offshore oil drilling, illegal immigration and gay marriage.

John Feliz, a campaign consultant for McClintock, said Brown's record stood in contrast to McClintock, who is known statewide for his unwavering conservative views.

"You cannot talk out of both sides of your mouth and expect anybody to trust you," Feliz said in a press release. "Charlie says he's for offshore drilling, but doesn't tell you only on existing leases.  Charlie says he opposes tax increases but supports plans that actually raise taxes."

Over the last week, McClintock's campaign sent a mailer to district voters that contrasted McClintock's stances on those issues with Brown, a Roseville Democrat who previously ran for Congress in 2006.

The mailer also prominently featured former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose (R-Sacramento) and his endorsement of McClintock, who opposed him during the primary.

Todd Stenhouse, Brown's campaign manager, said those contentions are not true, especially the one about raising taxes.

"That's almost as ridiculous as someone running in a race where they can't even vote for themselves," he said of McClintock, who would move from his Southern California home to live in the 4th district if he wins in November.

"Charlie Brown's positions are clear, consistent and published on our website since day one," Stenhouse said. "McClintock's are not."

He said Brown supports offshore oil drilling as part of a comprehensive energy package, and that McClintock's consistent record of voting against legislation that would help military veterans isn't a fact to be proud of.

McClintock has also lost credibility on several issues, Brown said, such as claiming China was drilling for oil off the coast of Cuba when it was not, and saying he didn't plan to run for any other offices in two years while still maintaining campaign accounts to do so.

"Politicians play the blame game," Stenhouse said. "Career military officers keep their promises and get the mission done."

The Pindell Report on Politicker.com rates the races as "likely Republican."

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