Mel Gibson: Give money to McClintock

Chronicle reporter/blogger Carla Marinucci scoop: Maybe actor Mel Gibson was unloading some of his thoughts about California politics because -- remember the rumor? -- he was considering running for office himself one day. Or maybe he just really bonded with state Sen. Tom McClintock, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. But one thing's clear: the unusually gushy, three-page, single-spaced fundraising letter sent out by the star of "Braveheart," and "Passion of the Christ" to help raise campaign cash for McClintock's effort won't help much now: it could even be a "Lethal Weapon" for the GOP candidate because Gibson, arrested for DUI, is tabloid fodder for making a rash of anti-Semitic comments. In the good old days before his current troubles, Gibson's letter shows he appeared eager to get into the political mix, detailing what he believed was wrong with California's government -- and how McClintock would set that straight. "When I find that rare politician who will stand his ground for what is right -- no matter what the pressure or consequences -- I take notice," Gibson wrote in last year's fundraising pitch for McClintock obtained by the Chronicle.