It’s a slow news day in Fresno. Other than the stifling 113 degree heat, there is absolutely nothing going on of interest around here. The town is as deserted as its been in awhile as all who can seek refuge at Shaver Lake, Pismo Beach, Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz.
I have no idea why the Bee would bother with a story on the Congressional "race" between Democrat TJ Cox and incumbent GOP Congressmen George Radanovich. This is one of the most conservative districts in the country and the registration makes it impossible for a Democrat to win.
Someone has talked TJ Cox into spending a truckload of his own money to try to unseat Radanovich and whoever it is has committed a grievous offense against the Cox family fortune. It’s called political malpractice.
Yes, there are periods where a Democrat can out raise a Republican in a Republican District. Most donors correctly withhold their funds from a candidate like Radanovich because they know he can’t lose.
Meanwhile, self funded candidates like TJ Cox blow through hundreds of thousands of dollars without raising their name id above 20%, which is where the Cox name ID is as of last month. But hey, he’s got a great $48,300 website! Vendors glom on to a self funded candidate and blow money like crazy. In the end, a TJ Cox winds up tossing his money into a political toilet and winding up with about 40% of the vote.
I continue to believe that many, many Republican incumbents are vulnerable – in primaries. Woe to the GOP Congressman facing a multi-million dollar challenge in a primary. Just look what happened in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago. Balanced budgets, immigration and a lack of political backbone come to mind as reasons why a few GOP Congressman should feel a little heat in primary contests.
So, a slooowwwww news day beckons for a "Little Engine That Could" political story, but unfortunately for TJ Cox, he can’t. Radanovich by 20.