As a registered Republican I've taken two calls from pollsters in the Ose - McClintock primary race. In these they have floated a variety of campaign themes and attack points for my reactions.
None of their offerings had to do with issues and governance; everything to do with shallow lables and pandering to what they think of as a conservo-knuckle dragging district. Both seem poised to go negative on each other from the onset.
There is not even a hint at any policy proposal. Since Ose has a better endowed dirt flinging fund, I'll guess that Tom gets buried. The question is whether Tom can cut up Doug enough for Brown to benefit in the general?
The idea that Repubs in the 4th have to import career pol ideologues shows just how much of an empty shell the local party is since the collapse of the Doolittle machine.
The national party got the idea, even if the local pols didn't. McCain is a pragmatist who can attract independents and work with what will almost certainly be a Democratic congress. He has also shown that he will campaign on the issues, and not just fling mud. People are sick of name-calling. They want workable ideas, sensibly expressed.
Sounds like the best long-term result for the GOP in the 4th would be to lose this round and consider it a wake up call. Clear away the wreckage and let some new (local) folks have a shot.
Ose is "local" enough. Things look good for him to take this seat...money, name recognition, no ties to the Doolittle machine and the backing of influential Republican leaders. Me thinks Republicans in this district are ready for an experienced, moderate Republican.
With Doolittle out, there is no reason for a Republican to vote for a democrat. Sorry, Charley.
Art, your comment assumes that Ose will survive to stand against Brown. CA04 is one of the most reactionary right wing electorates in the country - it re-elected Doolittle knowing he was corrupt, for example. My orignal point, based on the attack points floated past me in the surveys, is that Tom can paint Doug as being left of Pelosi as well as lacking those "values" that evangelicals demand. Ose should survive the primary, but, smeared and damaged, can he rally the "R's" in this particular district? By the time Tom is done with him, there could be many R's who would never vote for Ose, IMO.
Art
One election at a time. I am still trying to figure out whether I should take my choice of carpet baggers or go with the local fella that recently picked up a DUI.
On the subject of the Doolittle machine and Ose I did some looking around.
Doolittle Fires Back Against Brown Ad
http://www.kcra.com/news/9965047...47/
detail.html#
Ose contributions to Doolittle campaign.
10/04/2006 2000.00
http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bi...mg/?
27930132799
04/29/2007 2000.00
http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bi...mg/?
27990271392
Contributions to the Doolittle Defense fund
4000.00
http://www.theunion.com/article/.../NEWS/
306229217
Ose has no ties to Doolittle? Wasn't it Doug Ose who stood up for Doolittle big-time in an interview on a local TV station during the 2006 election? Pooh-poohing the corruption cloud and all? I think so.
I found this interesting. I think this is the man running against Charlie Brown for US representative on the Dem ballot.
John Wolfgram
You'll find this interesting...
Wolfgram: The Official Blacklisting of a Patriot Philosopher Lawyer.
This is the KCRA video of Charlie Brown squaring off against Doug Ose in '06. Funny stuffs 
(yay I finally can say having over 8k bookmarks has finally paid off. thank goodness i categorize them)
Cannot believe McClintock beat Ose. Shows how little I know about the mind of republican americans. This seems to bode well for putting a (D) into office this November.
I've checked around and McClintock doesn't seem to be a member of any Church or practice any religion.
My memory is that Col Brown is a Practicing Catholic.
If the latter is true if one wants to REALLY scare the religious right just call McClintock what is is.
An athiest.
If I were Charlie Brown, the first thing I'd do is welcome McClintock and offer him a map of the 4th Congressional District.
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