Pombo in CD 19

Well, the race has finally come down to two candidates in the CD 19 race. Now that Denham has killed his candidacy, we’re down to Patterson and Pombo.

This is going to be tough for the voters who care in the 19th. Patterson is a well liked local politician, Pombo is a well known former congressman. Both are running as conservatives, although Pombo has a known conservative track record.

Patterson would probably make a fine Congressman, but Pombo drives the liberals, especially environmentalists, out of their minds. This is probably a little evil, but you’ve got to think Pombo just to stick it in the eye of the Democratic machine.

Pelosi Jumps the Shark

Our friends over at Citizens for the California Republic have an incredible video of Nancy Pelosi suggesting that “artistic” types can now quit their unsatisfying 9 to 5 jobs and pursue their artistic dream, all because the Government will pay for their health insurance.

Everyone seems caught up in the illegal immigration debate, as we should be. But with this comment, Pelosi has jumped the shark. This is the reality of Obama Care, don’t worry, some one else is going to pay. See her comments.

Halfway to Concord Handicaps CD 11 Race

Jerry McNerney is in trouble in CD 11. He and his media hacks know it and can’t take their eyes off the Republican primary.

Halfway to Concord has a detailed thorough description of the primary race, the candidates, and the fall general election here. If you’re voting in CD 11, don’t miss it.

CD 18: Sleeper Race to Watch

Keep your Eyes on the Prize! The great prize this year is a change of majority party in the House of Representatives. Every race counts, and it’s not happening unless thoughtful conservatives make it happen. The Pelosi regime must be brought down.

The race between Pelosi incumbent Dennis Cardoza and Stanislaus County rancher Mike Berryhill is one of those sleeper races we need to push over the victory line. Cardoza has sold enough votes in Congress to have raised a significant war chest in mostly rural CD 18. Berryhill only has a chance if Republican grassroots volunteers rise up and defeat Cardoza.

Incumbents are in trouble nationwide regardless of party. Add to that a motivated Republican party, and Dennis Cardoza should be in trouble. November is a long way away, but step to the plate and support Mike Berryhill in any way you can.

Ed Meese! You’re Kidding, Yes?

Carpet bagger David Harmer’s increasingly lackluster campaign continues to paint him into the corner of stale Republicanism.

Harmer’s website proudly announces a fundraiser featuring Ed Meese, lawyer and past Attorney General. Ed Meese is symptomatic of Harmer’s endorsement problem: too old, too establishment, too much the insider.

Harmer has gathered unto himself a flock of seagulls establishment Republicans, the ones who did such a great job bringing Obama and Pelosi to power.

Harmer plays the game as an insider, and we can expect him to be a loyal toady for D. C. Party leadership if he were to magically become Congressman from the 11th.

There would at least be one positive thing if Harmer were elected, no need for bets on when he succumbs to Potomac fever. He’s already got it.

Harmer’s Endorsements Problem

It’s likely that Ronald Reagan is crying in Heaven. He once called the California Republican Assembly the “conscience of the Republican Party.” The CRA’s endorsement of carpetbagger David Harmer in the CD 11 primary is (pardon) unconscionable.

Nothing demonstrates the CRA’s descent from greatness more than this endorsement. The CRA board stood back in impotence as San Joaquin Central Committee member Sara Blicharz magically brought dead units to life, strong-armed moribund units that hadn’t met in many months, and brought in third party operatives. An investigation by the Board into Blicharz’s machinations is clearly in order.

That brings us to the endorsee, David Harmer. Just who/what has the CRA endorsed? Let us consider:

• • Carpet bagger from outside CD 11
  • Loser from CD 10 against Garamendi (who, if Harmer had any guts, he would be running against even now)
  • Loser from UT CD 2 (his party delegates rejected him outright)
  • Proud Republican insider (we all so loved their work in the last decade)
  • Proud Lawyer (enough said)
  • Jerry McNerney’s best chance to stay in office

Republicanism in California has been brought to death’s door by the Governor and those who support his style of republican statism. If the CRA hopes to find its way back to relevance, they had better keep rogue operatives from gaming the system. We need a CRA, a real CRA, to keep supposed Republicans like  Maldonado and Denham in check. Help yourself, help the Republican cause, help California, and join the CRA.

Why is Poizner Not Dead?

The inimitable Bill Saracino explains it all at CPR Online. Meg may not be able to spend her ill gotten booty fast enough.

Environmentalist are Afraid, Very Afraid

No matter who you are supporting in CD 19, the scurrilous accusations against Richard Pombo by the Jeff Denham campaign and fearful environmental extremists are beyond the pale. See here for some straight information about the what Pombo’s enemies are pedaling.

Lies are lies, whether by ambitious Republicans trying to move up the ladder or environmentalists who won’t be satisfied until there are not people to mess up the perfection of the natural world. Naked ambition and fear are making strange bedfellows in the CD 19 primary.

Central Valley Callout asks voters to consider carefully who they want as their next Congressman. Truth is, CD 19 is in such bad shape that their next representative had better be a cut above the typical politician. They need a Congressman unafraid to tell his party leadership AND everyday leftists when to take a hike.

The Truth About Earmarks

Ending Congressional earmark isn’t going to help budget crisis; Washington politicians will find a way to spend. The earmarks controversy isn’t about the budget, its about open and democratic governance.

Earmarks are long standing budget gimmick by Congress designed to by-pass public scrutiny and provide pay back to campaign contributors and local supporters. Individual members simply insert funding for projects, programs, or grants into appropriation bills.

Earmarks pervert local politics through back room deals between city/county officials, local business insiders, and congressional representatives; deals that may or may not be in the best interests of the community. Any appropriation that does not receive public scrutiny perverts the local political process as voters are almost never aware of hidden financial relationships.

In this election year, a candidate’s stance on earmarks is a dye marker on his stance about open government and corruption. A local Congressional candidate in a recent interview when asked about the “No Earmarks Pledge” immediately asked the interviewer “What’s your definition of an earmark?” The interviewer should have responded “Who are you planning to give money to and why?”

Consider the congressional candidate you’re thinking of supporting. Have they taken the No Earmarks Pledge? If not, do you know where their earmark pork will be headed and why??