The new issue of the GW Patriot is out. I would recommend checking out the article about the GW Professor who has served as a chaplain in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the review of March of the Penguins.

There is a run off election on December 6th to fill the open seat of the 48th Congressional District in California which covers Orange County. There are five candidates in the race including Minuteman Jim Gilchrist and California State Senator John Campbell.

Gilchrist is running under the American Independent Party ticket and while third party candidates generally don’t have a chance in Hades, Gilchrist is not the usual third party candidate wacko (although many on the left would disagree with that I suppose). He has national name recognition and has garnered a huge amount of media attention for the Minuteman Project and his strong stance on stopping illegal immigration. He has also been endorsed by Congressman Tom Tancredo who has campaigned for him as well.

While I don’t know much about the Republican, John Campbell, I was checking out his Web site and it looks pretty good too. He claims to be a hawk on illegal immigration as well, has spoken out against the out of control spending in Washington, supports Social Security reform with private accounts for younger workers, health savings accounts, and is pro-life. Based on his Web site he seems solid. Anyone from California care to comment on him?

I just think that this will be an interesting race to watch. If Gilchrist manages to pull this off it will send a loud signal to the Republicans in DC to get their act together. I hope the best man for the job wins.

As reported by Politics1:

AVOIDING PRIMARIES? Republicans leaders in three key states — Ohio, Illinois and New York — are trying to narrow gubernatorial primary fields to improve chances of victories in general elections next year. In Ohio, the AP reported that longtime State GOP Chair Bob Bennett and other leaders know their party is already gravely wounded by term-limited Governor Bob Taft’s (R) dismal performance. That’s why they want to avoid a three-way primary next year May between a trio of the state’s top Republican officials. Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, Attorney General Jim Petro and State Auditor Betty Montgomery are announced candidates for Governor, and Republicans would love it if two of them would exit the contest in favor of other races. Ohio Democrats this week largely rallied behind the gubernatorial campaign of Congressman Ted Strickland (D) when Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman dropped out. In Illinois, former Governor Jim Edgar and other state GOP leaders there are trying to narrow the gubernatorial field in favor of State Treasurer Judy Topinka. According to the Chicago Tribune, State GOP Chair Andrew McKenna “wants the five current candidates for governor to meet with him Friday and review results of new polling that could raise questions about the viability of some of their campaigns.” Topinka’s two leading primary rivals, wealthy businessman Ron Gidwitz and State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, vow they will not be forced from the race. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich still may face minor primary opposition, but is assured of being his party’s nominee. Meanwhile, in New York, Republican county chairs are already set to meet December 12 to endorse candidates for Governor and US Senate. Governor George Pataki (R) and his allies were behind the move in an effort to endorse former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld as the candidate for Governor and Westchester County D.A. Jeanine Pirro as the candidate for US Senate. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and incumbent US Senator Hillary Clinton are assured of being the Dem nominees for Governor and US Senate next year. Those plans seem to be unraveling as State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Congressman John Sweeney and others are attempting to derail the meeting in order to advance the odds of billionaire businessman Tom Golisano for the Governor race and former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer in the US Senate contest. This anti-Pataki faction would also like to steer Pirro into the open Attorney General’s race. This “avoid primaries” strategy isn’t unique to Republicans. Florida Democrats, for example, would like to find a way to avoid a Jim Davis-Rod Smith gubernatorial primary by steering the two men into running together as a team for Gov and Lt Gov.

Judy TOPINKA?!?!? Steve Rauschenberger is like x10 the candidate she is. These people are so clueless…

As everyone knows disagreements on the blog are bound to happen, and I have to strenuously disagree with Alex on this one. During the race Brian Mazanec and I exchanged calls, emails, etc all very coordinally. Brian has always strenuously denied he asked people to forge documents and I will believe him until significant proof comes up otherwise. Now I know that I am about to get flamed out the wazoo for defending Brian, but well I am used to it at this point. Flame away.