"There’s some things you don’t want to answer to give ammunition to the other side."
This gem of a quote was given to veteran Stockton Record political reporter Hank Shaw when he spoke with Jerry McNerney, the Democrat nominee for Congress against incumbent Republican Richard Pombo in California’s 11th District (pictured to the far left), which is largely based in the Stockton area, and in the East Bay Area.
McNerney besides being candid in his belief that you should hide your positions on the issues if they are unpopular, has got to be one the dumbest candidates for office – EVER.
Shaw penned a story for the Record which ran on Sunday, On 2nd thought: Democrat changes dozens of answers in online survey, in which Shaw reveals that McNerney, fresh out of winning his Democrat primary (against the ‘establishment candidate’) decided to go onto a website "Project Vote Smart" where he had previously answered 147 questions, and altered 55 of the answers.
Suddenly his support for gay marriage…is no longer listed. His ‘top three priorities’ (including establishing a universal healthcare system) are gone. Tax increases (such as an increase on gas) that were advocated are now missing. Pretty amazing…
I saw a quote in the piece from FR friend Carl Fogliano, who is managing Congressman Pombo’s re-election campaign. I asked him to pen something on this for FR readers, which is below.
Have a great day!
FROM CARL FOGLIANI:
The moment this information became public, McNerney changed not just this position but 55 others. A previously avowed supporter of cutting and running in Iraq, he has changed his position on the now-liberal Holy Grail issue of Iraq. His previous support for raising gas, income, sin taxes, corporate and inheritance taxes have now disappeared into thin air. His stated desire to deeply cut funding for missile defense is gone along with increasing money for environmental programs. He now says he no longer supports the McCain position on immigration. I guess he figured his strategy of emulating his heroes George Miller and Pete Stark wasn’t working too well.
It’s terrific when you see our opposition realize they cannot win an election unless they hide their true agenda. It is even better when they change their positions on 55 issues and have no concept of the fact that they have just destroyed their credibility on every issue of importance to the people of the 11th Congressional District. McNerney just let everybody know he has no integrity and will cut and run from even his own values. I feel sorry for him.
When Jerry McNerney is asked the question “Which actor would play you in a movie?” I would like to suggest that Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” might be a good fit.
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