This is madness. This is obviously meant to divide us. As evidence I offer a link from this very blog. (Please find this link and its accompanying text below). As I write this there are lawyers from all sides trying to determine if the filing period for candidates can be extended. Obviously, Republicans struggling to make sense of Gallegly's last minute exit in the face of Michael Tenenbaum's March 10, 2006 filiing are trying to keep their advantage in this race. They are attacking Brett and Mary and their respective campaign managers in a putrid and vile and disgusting way because they are trying to goat them into getting back into the race should the filing period get extended. The only alternative is for the Republicans to embrace Tenenbaum and begin the general election now. This is highly unlikely since Tenenbaum's first public statement was that he was running to the right of Gallegly. Part of this statement was televised on S.B. channel 3, and an image from this statement can be found in Saturday's Ventura County Star. This "press release" is serving to divide Dems & progressives to the point of irreconsiliation. And I know that there are many of us who can see that the only ones who have anything to gain from the writing and distribution of such propaganda are those specific and particular Republicans who choose to be partisan under all circumstances, without moral or ethical boundaries, no matter what the costs. These Republicans stand in sharp contrast to those who place country above Party. I am proud to call many of these Republicans, friends and neighbors.

Lebeck was right to use the term "Rovian" when referring to these tactics. But let's all give this a second look. Who are the only ones who really and truly stand to gain by attacking Democratic candidates and campaign managers? The answer is partisan Republicans who support Gallegly and feel a sense of entitlement when it comes to his House seat. These are the people who will fight to keep Elton's name on the ballot whether he wishes to run or not; that will run a proxy campaign without spending limits and full of all manner of smears. Their outcome is a special election in which Republicans are more likely to win. If it is a Democrat versus a Republican to the right of Gallegly they lose. Look at us. We're attacking fulltime students with fulltime jobs like Heather Schmidt. Don't we need people like Heather to stay involved in the Central Committee and the clubs? Isn't everyone else who shows up to the damn meetings, including myself, too damn old, too damn tired, and too damn fed up to sit at phonebankings and work on canvassing precinct walks? Ever since my grandson showed me how to use my home computer I've been "surfing the net" every night, getting on the Google and reading all about the people involved in this Congressional campaign. There's all kinds of things to be found out there about everybody except this Tenenbaum character. My eyebrow is raised. How is it possible that there is nothing whatsoever out there about this kid who is, as of right now, the only Republican who has filed and is actively running for Congress? Come on people. Wake up!

They are literally making assess out of each and every one of us!!! Not because they have used their think tanks, and strategists, and consultants.
Not because they are using the power of the Congress and White House and Supreme Court to control our words, actions, and behaviors. Not even because they are waving 30 lousy pieces of silver in our faces. But because one of these bastards bullshitted us with a "press release" and we bought into all of it without question... hook, line, and sinker. Instead of realizing this election is finally ours to lose, as opposed to ours to win, we are shit-staining the integrity of kids who were barely even born when Elton Gallegly first went to Washington D.C. on our dime. I read what Heather wrote before Dennert took it down, and it is clear that all she was doing was pointing out how absurd all of this is. And it is absurd. We're supposed to be smarter than this! When I wake up tomorrow I don't want to hear any more about who did what to whom last year or this year. What is done is done and cannot be undone. But it has passed. It is the past. So long as no laws were broken, I am ready to forgive and forget. And win!!!

http://www.flashreport.org/blog0a.php?postID=2006031104393017&post_offsetP=0#comments

"Posted by Andy Nevis at March 11, 2006 12:47pm What on earth are you talking about? A friend of mine is a reporter, and he tells me that Michael Tenenbaum's press release criticizing Gallegly and announcing his intention to run against him was sent out on Thursday. Tenenbaum also criticized Gallagly and announced that he would run agianst him in his Friday press conference. The latest Ventura County Star article talks about how difficult it could be for Tenenbaum to get Gallegly's support. They don't even seem to have met before. Perhaps this incident could inspire someone else to perform a handover to an unknown friend this way in the future. However, there is absolutely no valid reason to believe that this happened in this case."

Brian,

Isn't it interesting that everyone suddenly aspires to take the high road after so gleefully soiling themselves in the mud. After speculating that the phony press release might be the work of a Martinez minion, the thread is suddenly removed and my motives and credibility are called into question. Is it not possible that I am merely one citizen and one voice that yearns to express his frustration with what passes as political discourse in this county and this country? No, instead, we have folks like Burt, and Heather, and Leah, and the rest of the Martinez Gang conjuring up conspiracy theories and running for cover.

Your acting as if the Democratic party were some monolithic machine that we must all be fed into. Well, I have news for you. The machine is broken and hasn't worked for a long while. I seriously doubt that Mary Pallant will seriously consider endorsing the Martinez campaign given the level of harrassment and petty politics that served to undermine her campaign. She has integrity and I believe she places her own integrity above party politics.

Again, I urge all true progressives and Democrats everywhere in this county to reject the Martinez campaign and to cross over and register as Republicans to defeat Gallegly in the primary. If Tenenbaum proves to be more rabid and to the right of Gallegly, the Democrats will get the fight they've been spoiling for, if Gallegly wins the primary, you will be overwhelmed by a party that really kmows how to keep its machine well-oiled.

Jill Martinez has a snowball's chance in hell of defeating either of the two Republicans in the race. And furthermore, because I too am a Democrat with integrity, I cannot support Jill Martinez and her bag of sleazeballs.

By the way, I intend to report the posting and yanking of the phoney press release to the publisher and the editorial staff of the Ventura County Star for a full investigation so as to discern it's true source and to call into question the reason for cutting the thread.

What is this? The Rush Limbaugh show?

Brian,
According to the Star, Audra Strickland frantically tried to pull papers for the 24th Congressional District race for her husband, then tried to pull them for herself. She was turned down because they both had pulled papers for other offices. I guess my question to you Brian is what kind of committment do they really have to the offices they are seeking? They were both ready to leave their races in a heartbeat. Should people run for an office because they want to serve that office, or should people just run for things because they like being career politicians?

What a fine mess we're in! Reading all of the speculation on here about the fake Tenenbaum press release and all of the blame that is being tossed around, I wonder if that isn't just want the real author of that release wanted to generate?

I don't know any of you making the latest postings here, but it seems that there are some hidden agendas at play. Some blame the Republicans for dirty tricks. Over the years, they have gotten very good at such tactics. Others blame the Democrats – especially Jill Martinez and her campaign. For both sides of the blame game, there is no evidence being provided to back up any of those diatribes.

It is obvious that Martinez is now the Democrat's nominee. Why would she be so stupid or vicious as to do or allow something as crazy as that fake release? For heaven's sake, she's a life-long minister! If someone on her campaign staff did it thinking they could get away with it, they should be fired immediately.

If, on the other hand, it was a dirty trick from the Republican side, that too should be investigated and exposed. As someone already pointed out, this could have been someone upset with Tenenbaum for challenging Gallegly, or upset with Gallegly for the manner in which he pulled out and thus possibly cheated his own party out of getting the best candidate.

But, where is the evidence of any of that?

Some of the postings on here have been downright vicious. Before people go shooting arrows at each other, they ought to try to get to the bottom of something like this.

I've read stories in the newspapers about how easy it seems to be for someone who knows their way around the internet to track an email back to the computer that sent it. Isn't there someone out there who could try to do that?

It's my experience that the truth always comes out eventually. I think we ought to try to determine what the truth is before slamming any candidate on either side of the issue. Don't forget, one of them is going to represent us in Congress. We all want that to be the best person possible. Let's let their respective campaigns tell us who that is, and not go about destroying either one of them – at least not until the facts of this incident are known.

Freya

Mikels support widespread

Re: your March 3 letters to the editor by Barbara Kerkhoff, "Partisan reasoning," and Barbra Williamson, "Fresh voice for east county":

The letters alleged Republicans are supporting the opponent of Supervisor Judy Mikels in the upcoming campaign for the 4th Supervisorial District seat.

But looking at the list on the slick glossy mailer, we can play a new game: "Name the Republicans." Upon close inspection, it becomes apparent that most of these folks are Democrats, were originally Democrats before re-registering for political reasons as Republicans or are registered Republican but use Democrat lobbyists to run their campaigns.

So much deceit drips from the mail piece, it almost sticks to your fingers.

Make no mistake, Mikels is supported by a wide variety of residents living in the 4th District, from families to elected officials to local volunteers and leaders, who represent a diversity of political affiliations. Mikels has fought diligently for what 4th District constituents desire most — a safe environment for families, transportation improvements, limited governmental hindrance, more high-paying jobs, lower taxes, youth sports and activities — without standing on a soapbox under a floodlight screaming for attention.

Those are the best local elected representatives: the ones who do the right thing and do a great job when no one's looking. We can trust Mikels and her experience. County government is in superb fiscal health and under no threat whatsoever from bankruptcy.

Placing anyone else in that seat who lacks experience in county governance, or who has no record of fiscal responsibility, is irresponsible and reckless.

— Keith Jajko, Simi Valley

Mikels the voice of reason

Re: Barbra Williamson's March 3 letter, "Fresh voice for east county":

Her letter was amusing. She attacked Bob Larkin's care for the local constituency because he has never been elected to public office.

Note to Williamson: Neither has the person you support for supervisor in the 4th District. He has tried and tried and tried, but one must wonder if he could win election for dogcatcher.

And, as Williamson says, "If the facts were really known," you wonder how local Republicans would react to this snippet from an article, "Democrat political consultant has had hand in major victories," in The Star on Sept. 24, 2002:

"Jim Dantona knew he had arrived when the party invitations from the Clinton White House came in the mail. Dantona, 54, a self-described ¿yellow dog' Democrat — one so loyal to the party line he would vote for a Labrador retriever if it ran as a Democrat — met the then-governor of Arkansas in 1987. Clinton was eyeing the Democratic presidential nomination and sought Dantona's support. Clinton asked Dantona, well-known in political circles as a consultant and lobbyist, to find him some speaking engagements."

Wow, the guy would vote for a dog just because of party affiliation. And he's a Democratic Party lobbyist? That doesn't sound like anything "fresh."

It sounds like the same stale situation Sacramento and Washington, D.C., suffer from — too many ideologue partisans to get anything accomplished. That's the last thing we need in Ventura County government.

Mikels is the only voice of reason on the Board of Supervisors, and deserves our support for re-election.

— R. Leland Heaton Jr., Simi Valley

I find it interesting that this blog writes/posts all this stuff about Dantona, but then when Mikels stuff comes out, he doesn't put it in. You're going to need to try a little harder than this to prove you're reporting both sides of the story Brian!

Rick,

This intra-party bickering has gone far enough. The primary is over. It's time to forget the former squabbles and look to the future of the district. You've virulently attacked Martinez and her campaign calling them "sleezebags" and accusing them of a wide variety of offenses. Fine, you've said you thoughts but now is the time try and forget how yourself and Mary's campaign were slighted and try and make amends. I don't know Burt or Leah, but I know Heather and she isn't a sleezebag. I don't know if you've met her but if you have you'd know that that isn't the case.

The general election has already started and for the good of the district it's time to put aside the past and try to work together to bring a victory for the citizens of the 24th District by electing the sole Democrat in the race. While I am solidly progressive and although had vowed to never vote for a Republican after the U.S. invaded Iraq, I've begun to learn that sometimes the best candidate isn't always of the same party that one belongs to. Luckily in this case Jill is a good candidate, one worth following.

These threats to register Dems in support of Gallegly are foolish and counter-productive. Unless the courts decide to open the race up for more Republican challengers, we have two candidates in the race. And I am convinced, though I am not overly familiar with Mr. Tenenbaum, that Jill is the choice for this district. Rick, whether you agree with me or not on this I ask you, and I urge you, instead of further dividing the party and spreading discontent to put aside your views for the good of your country and fellow citizens and try to come to terms with your anger and instead focus it somewhere else. While, judging from your indignation, you may not be willing to support Jill, the least you could do, would be to stop attacking your fellow Democrats and more importantly fellow citizens. The offenses you accuse them of whether true or not aren't enough for you to remain so bitter and opposed to any progress in the district. So Rick, please, unless you're going to post something that isn't unreasonably contentious let's try and forget the vicious primary of yesterday and to the election that stands before us.

Unless I'm mistaken, Keith Jajko was paid to help pass North Park in Moorpark, and he is also Ms Mikels Chief of Staff? Hopefully he will do a better job for Ms. Mikels then he did for North Park. Also, after looking at Dantona's list there are a lot of republicans on his side. I don't think Bill Davis was ever a democrat and he supports Dantona. Interesting.

While burying the hatchet might seem the appropriate thing to do for the good of the party, I have no interest in uniting behind a campaign that associates itself with as many cheap shot artists and phony-bologna propagandists that occasionally slither out from underneath the frock of the Martinez camp. Yes, it is only a hunch, but judging by the level of outrage and indignation expressed by yourself and others, as well as the half-cocked conspiracy theories leveled against me, I’d say I hit a nerve.

However, in the spirit of cooperation, allow me to give the Democrats some free advice.

Stop acting like Republicans! Stop the petty and mean-spirited personal attacks. Stand on your own two legs rather than chop-off your fellow Democratic challengers at the knees. Hell, Brian, you didn’t even have the temerity to flat out deny that Jill and her staff orchestrated a disinformation campaign, you only ask that bygones be bygones and to push aside the conclusion that the only thing that matters and the only thing that should guide self-absorbed politicians is winning at any cost. Just remember, what comes ‘round goes ‘round.

Democrats, let’s storm the Bastille! I’ve already got 40 people committed to switching their party registration. Let’s make it 400 or 4000! Any other disaffected Democrats or independents out there disgusted with politics as usual? Contact me at rjlebeck@netscape.net. Let the games begin!

I am more than willing to post anything that Judy Mikels releases. If you ever see anything that I haven't posted I( press releases, events, letters to the editior etc.) let me know.

An incumbent usually doesn't engage their opponent early on, so I have less material. But if you see something I miss, let me know.

The same thing goes for other campaigns and races. I am not going to hold back your material. If you have something of worth e-mail it to me.

Dear Oh Dear Oh Dear,
I find it interesting that Mr. Jajko is defending Ms. Mikels especially after she accused him of losing her campaign bid against McClintok and fired him. And listening to him, as everyoine did, he had some pretty nasty things to say about the Supervisor. However, after losing the North Park contract by such a wide margin, guess he needs another job, so he went crawling back to the supervisor....
Pity....
And to Mr. Heaston Jr., if Ms. Mikels HAS a voice, why isn't she using it in the district, or did I miss it when she was working so hard on getting $$$ for the 118 / 23/ 101 freeways? No one in Sacramento or Washington, D.C. even knows her name...
Pity
Barbra

On The Ojai Post, read about the "Tenenbaum Conundrum" wherein Michael Tenenbaum, a trial lawyer, defends trial lawyers on behalf of the VC Bar Association, is running as a Republican and lining up support of the GOP establishment, and will have to address the fact trial lawyers are demonized by the GOP in their party platform.

The Ojai Post
http://www.ojaipost.com/

65 Democrats and independents and counting!

That's how many I have committed to jumping over to the Republican party for the primary to dump Gallegly.

The petition will continue to grow.

Of course all of this is contingent on the intervenous drippings of information coming from Gallegly about the nature of his medical condition and the legalities afforded the 5-day filing extension. However intended, Elton has managed to screw up the democratic process without even wanting to be in the race.

We'll find out what the boys back in D.C. have in store for us soon. Both Gallegly and Tenenbaum have been dispatched to Washington to allow those $$ckers over there to sort it out and sniff Tenenbaum over. Gallegly always was such a toady. He can't even retire on his own without checking in with his corrupt cronies. Rather than devote his remaining time and energy to be with his family and get the rest he needs to possibly recover from his condition, he intends to stick it out and resign from or die in office. I would be surprised now if he remained out of the race. Allegiance to the wishes of his party would seem to be more important than consideration for his own health and the needs of his own family. Sad, really.

I wonder, if like many of us, he has to keep working so that his medical insurance stays in effect? (Rhetorical question)

Funny how members of Congress all have socialized medicine and all we have is the bill.

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted as the petition grows.

Richard,

How's the petition coming along?