Many people will look at the 11th Congressional district and see a 6% Republican registration edge and assume the safety of this seat for the GOP and House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo of Tracy. What lies underneath this election year however is a strange dynamic that has made this one of the most heated races in the nation.

Due to the massive infusion of 527 group contributions (on one day the Defenders of Wildlife reported spending over $100,000 just for identification calls) that have been going on the airwaves, in the mailboxes and on the ground, this race is now ground zero in the battle for the House of Representatives.

All polling released so far has put this race as essentially even and has now drawn the full force of both the DCCC and NRCC. This race will now come down to turnout and ground game. While the Pombo team is well known for its attention to ground and ability to turn out the vote, McNerney is counting on bussing in an army from Berkeley, Oakland, Palo Alto and even from as far away as… Read More

Here are a few photos from Day 1 of the McClintock crosses the state tour. Yesterday’s co-starts were Senator Chuck Poochigian and former Assemblyman Tony Strickland. Today Secretary of State Bruce McPherson will travel with us on the McClintock RV… The three candidates rally the troops!

On the RV — from left to right – Lori McClintock, Tony Strickland, Senator McClintock, Jon Fleischman.

Jon Fleischman (left) chats with Senator McClintock, Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, and Congressman George Radanovich, at the Fresno HQ. There has been a lot of media attention on the candidates on the trip… Read More

My five-year-old daughter walked our precinct with me yesterday. Not because mom was doing something and there was nothing else for Kayleigh to do. Because she wanted to, thinking it would be fun. It’s important at this point showing her the importance of civic engagement, not simply telling her it’s important.

She did have fun, having megive her the next address on the list so she could find the house. It really cracked me up at one point — after listening to my spiel with a couple of neighbors — that she wanted me to stay down on the sidewalk, so she could make the "delivery speech" herself. After 16 years in public office myself, should I be concerned for her future?

Just to clarify, at no point did she ask me why the Republican Party was supporting all these bonds.

My post yesterday indicated that Joel Anderson’s AD 77 opponent, upset at hislack of Party support,had … Read More

Many people will look at the 11th Congressional district and see a 6% Republican registration edge and assume the safety of this seat for the GOP and House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo of Tracy. What lies underneath this election year however is a strange dynamic that has made this one of the most heated races in the nation.

Due to the massive infusion of 527 group contributions (on one day the Defenders of Wildlife reported spending over $100,000 just for identification calls) that have been going on the airwaves, in the mailboxes and on the ground, this race is now ground zero in the battle for the House of Representatives.

All polling released so far has put this race as essentially even and has now drawn the full force of both the DCCC and NRCC. This race will now come down to turnout and ground game. While the Pombo team is well known for its attention to ground and ability to turn out the vote, McNerney is counting on bussing in an army from Berkeley, Oakland, Palo Alto and even from as far away as… Read More

Todays barnstorming tour of the Central Valley is over… And tomorrow, for day two, we’ll be taking the RV to Upland (at 10am), Temecula and San Diego. Tonight we’ll overnight in Burbank, fresh for the new day!… Read More

Friends of mine are telling me that longtime McClintock District Director Joe Giardiello is reported to be strongly considering making a run for Congress. As you might remember, Congressman Elton Gallegly really doesn’t want to be in office anymore, but stuck around for a bit longer to keep Michael Tenenbaum, from capturing his seat (24th District). Gallegly has recently stated he is keeping his options open, and knowing Joe, hecertainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to run against Gallegly. Joe, a McClintock confidante, and decorated Navy veteran who served during Desert Storm would be someone much more in the mold of a replacement Gallegly would be comfortable with. McClintock is, of course, wildly popular in the region, andJoe’s association with McClintock, not to mention a possible endorsement by the next Lt. Governor, would be invaluable in the race. With connections to the McClintock operation throughout the Central Coast district and as President of the Ventura County Republican Assembly,… Read More

Assemblywoman Audra Strickland was the first person I saw when I snuck into the Bakersfield Victory heasquarters in advance of the candidate armada. She drove over from Ventura County with daughter Ruby so they could see her husband, Tony, in action!

On hand here at the HQ is State Senator Roy Ashburn, Bakersfield’s most popular political figure. “I’ve been priviledged to serve in the State Capitol with Tom McClintock, Chuck Poochigian, and Tony Strickland. These are three of the finest people you could place into statewide office!”

Working hard coordinating things is the dynamic duo – County GOP Chairman Matt Brady and V6 Deputy Field Director Glenn Rodgers.

I asked Matt how things were going, and he said, “We’re excited to have this bus tour activate our volunteers.”

Popular local radio talk show host Inga Barks warmed up the crowd and made introductions.

TS: “Our internal polling shows us up by two points. But this race is all about turnout. What you do the next 72 hours will make the difference!”

CP: “It has been such a great honor to run as a team… Read More

As we make the drive down into Kern County, I thought I would take the opportunity to give a little bit of personal perspective on the retirement of liberal Republican Congressman Bill Thomas.

We should all applaud the fact that after decades in Congress, this entrenched friend of the bureaucracy has called it quits. For years, Thomas has worked hard in the political realm to oppose Republicans with strong convictions for increasing the size and scope of the federal government.

FR readers know that I have often expressed my frustrations about the increasing size of the federal government under Republican watch in Washington, D.C. While Thomas’ departure from Congress won’t change that trend in and of itself, it will go a long way.

Thomas, by most accounts, is a bright and savvy politician. Too bad he used his skills to embrace government instead of reduce it. Adios Bill Thomas, you won’t be missed.

I’m sure that the William M. Thomas terminal at Bakersfield Airport will serve to remind you and your children of your decades of bringing home the pork for your district.… Read More