Interesting - so it appears that Shelly Johnson isn't the campaign manager anymore. Wonder if it had anything to do with the mishandling of on-again/off-again/on-again run or the Tennenbaum flap. I know of at least six people that think they have been annoited by Elton to run - wonder if they are just going to wait this one out if it turns out he is running. That just seems wrong, anti-democratic and unfair to the citizens of Ventura County. If a good person want to run from either party, more power to them. They should be applauded, not crucified.

Or maybe the rumor isn't true and Elton isn't going to run - which means the field is wide open. I'm sure the Ag community has some ideas on what should be done.

Basically people in this district are happy with no rep in congress as Elton is a do nothing. Once in awhile he slams the hispanics, but otherwise, nothing. He is a stuffed suit.

The results of that fateful week and ensuing events challenged many peoples' friendships and political alliances in Ventura County. It re-shuffled the deck. I felt very badly for all the candidates that had been waiting in the wings for over a decade to run for the Congressional seat, and were only given the opportunity to file at the last minute (without the benefit of time to plan a campaign) and under contrived circumstances. The six that I knew about (and maybe there were more) had to feel frustrated or bitter at what might have been.

Maybe someone should just call Elton Gallegly and ask which of the following three applies.

1. Not running.
2. Running.
2. Maybe.

It is for the best of our community that ALL candidates can start to plan ahead.

Brian,

My guess: One of his staff would answer "all of the above" or "none of the above."

I know this is a blog and i'm just another guy at a keyboard so you can take this with whatever weight you feel. I happen to know for a fact that Elton is running.

Wesson can you reveal why?

I don't get it. Why does this man play so many games? Is he going to pretend to run and drop out? Tun for just one more term? Why is it he is given any respect when he doesn't respect his pledge to run just one more term?

Of course, being Elton Gallegly he won't announce now his intentions. Nor will he respond to this post.

Gallegly, we all know you and your staff resds this blog. Come clean and just say what you are thinking of doing already!

Being that he has said he is at the end of his stay in DC and he is in the minority we know he can't really get anything done. We all know that basic fact.

Why doesn't he admit to it and come home? We should allow a new person to start building up seniority now, not when Gallegly feels like it. This should be about our best interest, not his.

"To the strongest," is the answer Alexander the Great has been quoted as giving on his deathbed (in most histories) as his answer to the question of to whom should empire he had built be given upon his departure.

Perhaps, that is the way Elton (or any member of congress planning to retire) should answer when asked that same question. Then, the outgoing representative should get out of the way and let the challengers sort it out with amongst themselves - and with the voters independent judgment bestowing the final laurels of victory.

If he decides NOT to retire, the answer to whom should have the honor and responsibility of congressional representative for the district beginning in 2009 should still be the same: "To the strongest."

Well; Elton Gallegly is a small man, I am not talking about feet and inches

NorthStar - that is just plain rude. At least have the courage to sign your name if you are going to call people names.

It is true Elton is a small man in many ways. He is small in his thinking and his politics. He attacks hispanics and then hires them to cut his lawn, cook his food, pick his veggies etc. He is known as a total lightweight on the hill. He is small, good job North Star!

In my experience those who levels these types of incendiary accusations against Congressman Gallegly don't know him and have never worked with him. For those that have he is a proven, dedicated public servant. And for the record, his constituents have overwhelmingly supported his position on illegal immigration. To claim that he "attacks hispanics" or is "anti-immigrant" is a gross distortion of the truth. The political trolls who have to resort to smear tactics and twisting the facts reveal themselves for who they are.

Bubba and Elton are both small and small minded men like them, think alike. Elton has never had a significant bill passed and never will. He was passed over for leadership of his committee, even though he was the senior member. At a dinner Bush did not even know his name and Elton had to shout out his own name (both of these stories were in the Star). I live in Elton's district but he does not represent me, I did not vote for him and never will. He never seeks input from voters and takes all his orders straight from the VCRCC. He has no authority over me and if the guy really wanted to be of use he would resign so someone could take his seat who would actually represent us!

Mr. notbubbakidd cannot cannot win an argument based on the facts, so instead he repeatedly resorts to name calling and and making personal attacks against others. Not very impressive. But I suppose the fact that Elton Gallegly easily wins re-election every time he runs speaks for itself. It is notbubbakidd who is out of the mainstream, not the other way around. Elton Gallegly represents the interests of the vast majority of voters who have repeatedly elected him for over two decades. It is not surprising that he does not represent people with extremist views like nonbubbakidd.

Bubba is right on one issue: Gallegly does represent his constituents by coming down strong on illegal immigrants. The only question is, does Gallegly do it because he wants to and happen to get lucky his constituents feel the same? My opinion is that is the correct answer. Or is it that he happened to talk to a lot of people and knew that he was representing the voters with those decisions? Not likely.

On all other counts Bubba I think you are mistaken. Elton has spent a large sum of time in the Congress doing very little. Since 2003 Disabled American Veterans and several groups related to veterans issues rated him from a low of 0 to a high of 50, with 100 being highest and most helpful, on his votes related to veteran's issues in Congress. Shouldn't we be protecting veteran's in this country? The Gun Owners Alliance gives him terrible grades for his votes and he is pro-gun ownership. Maybe he alternates picking yes and no and doesn't really look at each issue.

Finally, when is the last time you even saw Elton around town. I know he spends a great deal of time in DC, but you only see him at an occasional non-profit fundraiser or parades - never just around town. Those are facts and tough to argue, the days of Elton wasting space in Congress are over - whether he leaves or we vote him out next time.

The last time I looked, it was not against the law to challenge an incumbent (even though challengers are treated like criminals). Competition is a good thing. It spurs everyone on to try harder. Those that serve well meet the challenge.
In today's unfair districting in California, the only place to launch a serious challenge is in the primary. Once the primary is over, the winner is practically guaranteed the win. What are the statistics? - something like only one or two state level seats out of about 400 changed parties in the last 4 years. This is not a democracy!

As I have said in the past I have seen Elton Gallegly at the movies, at Home Deport, and at Applebee's.

He is all around town. I have seen him more than council members and they clearly live here.

Brian congrats on seeing him. It's like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Hey wait a minute and Elton's like the leprechaun. He's small. He's shifty, with false promises. Brian you discovered it Elton Gallegly's a leprechaun!!!

"I like to watch"

That Bubba Kidder is a hoot. Everyone knows Elton Gallegly's staff has great constituent service. Gallegly gets some credit for hiring and managing them. But remember they are paid to do it!

My problem is that Gallegly has no ambition to get things in DC done. He hasn't passed any major legislation in his twenty plus years in DC! Now he wants a few more lame duck years but this time in the minority party?

I am not interested in pork barrel spending projects, just good legislation. Gallegly will never be in a position to do that.

I will end with a quote:

"New Ideas Come With New Blood...I want to get the career politicians out of Washington and make them go home and live under the laws they've passed."
-- Congressional Candidate Elton Gallegly (1986)

It might be that Gallegly didn't want to run with the corrupt people in his party or raise shady money and therefore couldn't get ahead as a Republican. If that is the case I understand more why he never got a major bill passed. Sometimes only the leadership gets to pass bills and in the Republican party maybe it takes some clever plots to move ahead.

"New Ideas Come With New Blood...I want to get the career politicians out of Washington and make them go home and live under the laws they've passed."
-- Congressional Candidate Elton Gallegly (1986)

I frequently and regularly receive surveys from Congressman Gallegly's office. I checked with some others here at my office and members of my family and they too have seen the surveys. Additionally, I have called his office on two occaisions that I can recall and his staff was more than happy to take my call and listen to my concerns. It appears that he does solicit input from his constituency, and those of you attacking him here do not want to accept this fact.

Also, it sounds like some of you cannot accept that the majority continues to elect him because he does represent their views. Get over it, stop the rude and disrespectful name calling, and move on with your life.

I too get regular surveys from Congressman Gallegly asking for my opinion on important issues. I have also dealt directly with his staff, who are all courteous and helpful. I've run into Mr. Gallegly around town on occasion and he has always made himself available to his constituents. He has gotten personally involved in many issues brought to him by his constituents and I have personal experience to know that he is a personable, thoughtful, and compassionate man.

And no, I don't work on his campaign staff and I am not a personal friend of his. But I do know that he is a nice guy who cares a lot about this community. I don't agree with all of his positions on the issues, but I give him credit for the things he has accomplished and the respect that I believe he deserves. I also believe he is direct and honest, which is something that is, unfortunately, a rare quality with politicians.

I think it is a shame that some people in our community like taking cheap shots at a man who has dedicated his life to public service. Congressman Gallegly is our elected representative in Congress and those that don't agree with him are free to vote for someone else. But the majority of citizens in this community continue to support Mr. Gallegly and have continued to re-elect him to office, and that is how our democratic process works.

Everyone agrees Elton Gagme is a complete zero and political lightweight, he gets re-elected because of the lemmings like BubbaK, who do what they are told by the VCRCC!

If Gallegly's been so concerned about his community then why the hell, in over twenty years, hasn't he done anything to take on the DOD, Boeing & others over Rocketdyne? What more important public service can an elected official provide than for the welfare of the people he represents? All the squeeking over gerbil snuff films and his perennial talk-about-it-before-the-election-and-
do-nothing-afterwards-policy on illegal immigration just means the voters have been getting what they've wasted their votes on.

That's because not everybody shares your hysterical views on Rocketdyne and other issues. Remember Gary, just because you want something to be true doesn't actually make it the truth.

I suspect Bubba Kidd is on the VCRCC.

Elton's "marketing surveys" are a classic direct mail piece strategy and should not be construed as any effort to get to know how his continuents think or feel. They always come with a plea for money.

BK, ave your opinion til after you've talked to the 17 people on one Chatsworth cul de sac, who are being treted for bladder cancer, after being raised since kids along one of the arroyos that feed down from Rocketdyne. Their small neighborhood isn't the only one affected and my guess is the latest research estimate of a couple of thousand Roketdyne-caused cancer illnesses within a 60 sq mile area is very low.

I suspect Maytag is really May Teague (Katie)

I suspect that no matter who Maytag is, that they are correct and know what they are talking about. Those surveys are simply ways for candidates and consultants to have a positive a way to send out political mail. It is a fantastic tool, but its not to find out how your voters feel, its a way for the voter to think they are having direct contact with their representatives. And in the end, the elected gets their vote.

Why haven't I gotten one from Elton? I am a Democrat and Elton isn't going to reach out to me.

"I like to watch."

GS, as you might remember I live in West County but it does seem like the Rocketdyne scenario never gets any traction. My first question would be who could be most financially impacted by advserse rulings (landowners/developers). Is there someone who owns lots of land over there that won't be able to develop it? Or is it a political rallying point for both the Dems and the Reps? That's also very common. Have you followed the money? Done title searches? If not, it may be worth doing so.

On the subject of "veiled threats" against your wife. I don't see is as a "threat" per se, but family members shouldn't be dragged into the frey so I did see that as being a little out of line. I think this is fairly well understood protocol and I understand why a breach of it could be miscontrued.

Chauncey, I always wondered if Dems got those surveys.

Sorry GS, just got home and am catching up on the posts and I got the "veiled threat" post confused from the other thread. Oh well, I'm sure it makes sense to you!

I got onto Audra Strickland's list and I know how and when. Literally a month after I was on her list, I got a survey - never before that.

It really is a fantastic tool because people will voluntarily send you their e-mail and mailing addresses, so when you send random letters and e-mails they think they are participating in the process. When in reality they are simply seeing the elected official's name over and over.

I can not believe I am writing these thoughts, but the fault is not Elton Gallegly's or Tony Strickland's or Audra Strickland's. IT IS OURS!!!!! What have we been thinking all these years!!!! Instead of sending the best of Ventura County to Washington or Sacramento we sent Elton Gallegly, the poor guy has one year of college and an attitude. We sent the Stricklands, experts in nothing, a couple famous for refusing to work in the private sector. Is it their fault? NO: it is ours!!!!

Until we have redistricting or open primaries, we won't have choices unless people are very mindful during the primaries. This is true for both parties. So in a way, it is our fault but in another way, we're being held captive by fringe ideology on both sides.

Katie Teague! I don't think the problem with Rocketdyne is particularly a money issue. Though there are some local politicos that would like to turn a blind eye until they're safely out of office and their landowner friends have pulled out their profits we're really dealing with Washington DC's lack of interest. The DoD, the EPA and all the other agancies that have been sitting on the Mess just can't seem to get a handle on where to get started. Remember, this isn't 3Mile Island...a smaller mess that was located relatively far from any large population center. Our BIGGER Mess is smack dab in the middle of one of the densest urban centers in the country. How do you explain to 100s of thousands of people that their kids' sand boxes may contain radiocative particles? Or that the stream they they'd been playing in for the past 40 years is loaded with carcinogens. There's enough legal & political clout in this affected part of LA & Ventura to give Washington nightmares of litigation and recalls like it's never known before.

Maybe the Mess is bad. Maybe its not so bad. We just aren't getting the help that's needed to find out. What we have gotten are coverups, missing information and a hell of a lot of stonewalling from some of our elected leaders, from our Congressman to our (former) county supervisor to our city officials.

That's NOT public service....it's a public disgrace.

Brian,

I am not sure if you had a chance to read the letter to the editor from our Rancho Simi Park Board rep Kate O'Brien. Hello! Somebody has left the reservation... It was a big slice of crazy.

Anyway you can post an item with the letter and then maybe an item about solving homeless issues. Could be an interesting discussion with the libs in this community and the crackpots like Kate. How did we elect that one?

Can you read? I am thinking you are willfully not reading.

Gallegly's staff answers your calls. All congressman answer calls. 95 percent plus of incumbents win re-election.

The problem is not that Gallegly doesn't answer calls, it is that he is highly ineffective at passing legislation.

Can you name the major legislation with his name on it from his 20 years in congress?

Can we somehow move beyond Gallegly is polite and well mannered? Maybe to something like is he effective?

I am sure we could hire the local Staples Manager to listen, send our surveys, and hire a good staff to help out. I am looking for leaders to pass reforms, something that Gallegly has admitted he will never be able to do.

"New Ideas Come With New Blood...I want to get the career politicians out of Washington and make them go home and live under the laws they've passed."
-- Congressional Candidate Elton Gallegly (1986)

Are you kidding me? Do you really think that Gallegly wastes his time reading these comments? There's really not a whole lot constructive here, and there are much better ways for a Congressman to spend his time.

There's a very strong arguement that competitive districts would be less democratic than the current situation. When districts are overwhelmingly Republican or Democratic, the constiutents are pretty much all represented. If a district is highly competitive, say 55%-45%, then you have almost half of the population whose voice is not represented in Congress. How can disenfranchising an entire half be good for "Democracy?" It is much more fair, all around, to have relatively homogenous districts represented by someone with their beliefs, which in our system is understood as party affiliation.

Owen,

Are you saying the best representational system would be if each party had 100% own party districts?

In this case are you arguing for proportional representation instead of winner take all districts?

1. It would be impossible for such a situation to occur.

2. Not at all, In general, single member districts are superior to proportional representation. But that doesn't address my argument.

Owen,

This quote accurately describes the type of politician that our political system routinely produces now:

"They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of fashion, rather than the organs of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common councils, and modified by mutual interests."

These words of George Washington were a caution against the very situation that we foster right now through "safe", gerrymandered districts that virtually guarantee the disregard of minority viewpoints, subvert the common good and ultimately destroy national liberty and security. What did Washington say would be the government ultimately produced by the dominion of factions (parties)?

“It is, indeed, little else than a name where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.”

Ultimately, he believed the very ruin of our system of government could be the outcome:

“The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual, and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.”

Competitive districts would necessitate – for the sake of election victory and reelection – a politician who MUST put the common good (and not his party’s good) above all else.

Ditto Boland, that is an incredibly powerful quote by George Washington. Can you direct me to the source so that I may read the whole piece? Either post it here or e-mail me directly at dteague1@adelphia.net

They are from his farewell address which you can find at the attached URL.

It is an older, wiser George Washington speaking here on what experience has taught him is the most important lesson for the new nation which he loves so much.

It is good reading for the Presidents' day weekend.

Would that our current representatives speak in such thoughtful, intelligent and powerful terms! We have been reduced to fear-mongering, name-calling and speeches ending with "beam me up."

Why shouldn't Gallegly read blogs? Are they beneath him?

It isn't like he is busy passing legislation. He has never and will never pass a single meaningful law. He was on the back benches when his party was in power. He allowed the Neys, Cunninghams, and Delays to push him around.

It was interesting to get a rare glimpse of Gallegly greeting President Bush as he entered the Capitol floor for the State of the Union speech. Because those seats are first-come, first-serve on the day of the event, Elton must have spent at least 9 or 10 hours to have his chance to greet the President on his way to the podium. Good work Elton! Maybe the next time you want to impress your master, he might remember your name!

For over twenty years the citizens of the 24th have been represented by the likes of this lightweight and his feckless fealty to the power brokers in Washington.

His recent gush of immigrant-bashing legislation is a perfect example of his prowess and his legislative "strategy" in Congress. Eleven bills were recently introduced by Gallegly and every single one of them was designed to increase the misery and the poverty of those seeking to find work in this great nation of ours. While I am not in favor of illegal immigration and am adamant about securing the U.S. border, every one of his solutions does nothing to address the causal dynamic that has brought 20 million more illegal immigrants since Gallegly first took office in 1986. The timing of his legislation is most specious. Did he just think of all of these new ideas since November? Why weren't these bills introduced in the 12 years he and the Republicans were in power? You see, Gallegly doesn't actually want to solve the problem of illegal immigration and would rather use the issue as a political punching bag to cater to his core constituency: right-wing bigots and church ladies with attitude.

Elton Gallegly has spoken out against illegal immigration for many, many years. Long before most politicians were willing to publically speak out on the subject because of the politically correct society in which we live. He spoke out on the subject long before members of his own party had the courage to stand with him. He has taken a lot of hits from people like Lebeck, who twist this issue into "immigrant bashing" while ignoring Gallegly's record of support for immigrants coming into this country legally. People should be able to engage in an intelligent and reasoned debate on illegal immigration without being branded as "bigots". That type of rhetoric serves no purpose other than to stifle free speech while clouding the true issues.

Mr. Bubba is correct that Gallegly has a long history about talking baout these issues. But so does the average joe on the street. The difference is Gallegly has had more than 20 years and has done nothing about them.

He talks a good game, but he can't get the job done. Pass the ball to someone who will dive for the basket.

I'm glad to see Bubba and Congressman Gallegly embracing legal immigration. Maybe if Congressman Gallegly and/or Bubba want to maintain legal immigration, they will simply ask to modify the quotas and laborious bureaucratic red tape that make sure people overstay their visas or simply cross the borders without waiting the 10 years to get in via the paperwork.

Because one of two things Bubba, either your parents came before there were immigration services and then promptly destroyed those that held the land you wanted or your folks had to just sign in at Ellis Island and move on.

How come Mr. Gallegly or yourself haven't made either of those recommendations? Oh that's because you don't want anybody else here or a number so low as not infringe on your way of life. Take a read of the Statue of Liberty and see who is welcome in this country.

"I like to watch."

Bubba (if that is your real name),

I am exercising my right to free speech, not stifling it. And what is this garbage about political correctness? My thoughts are my own and have been shaped by my experiences.

Again, Elton Gallegly has no real interest in solving the nation's problems and is content with catering to the racial and economic fears of the working class to muster political support. Gallegly, and the Republican party have tried to have it both ways for the better part of two decades. While wailing about law and order and the army of illegals invading our country, they have tacitly turned a blind eye to the problem because it has served to keep downward pressure on wages and to break up unionized labor, which both serve the interests of big business.

Elton has been an A-1 phoney-bologna on this issue for years. The same can be said about the claims made to "Support the Troops" and then having the gall to cut veterans benefits for those who had the courage to serve. Why don't you just spit on them Elton? It serves the same purpose! Maybe, to Republicans, soldiers are like fetuses in the womb: supported and defended, but forgotten when their real lives are just beginning or beginning anew.

I notice none of the Gallegly gadflies care to defend the fact he gets nothing done in congress. Name the bill!

Just this year Gallegly introduced a bill to protect animals by making it a felony to transport an animal for the purpose of animal fighting. Another one of his bills created a Vietnam war memorial for soldiers who died after the war but as a result of the war. Gallegly recently secured approximately $13 million in additional transportation funds to expand and improve local roads.

I suppose I could go on, but there is really no point. The left-wing extremists around here aren't interested in Gallegly's true record. Instead they prefer to twist the truth and rely on smear tactics to tear down a dedicated public servant. Instead of engaging in a meaningful discussion you guys have, predictably, resorted to name calling, like calling him a "bigot" or "stuffed suit". He deserves better than that. It is little wonder why so many qualified people avoid running for political office.

Fortunately the vast majority of citizens in this district are more fair minded and appreciate what Congressman Gallegly has done for this community. That is why they keep re-electing him. That is also why those that oppose him are so desperate that they have to resort to character assasination to try and tear him down.

Bubba, I used no character assassination in my argument against you and the Congressman, but correctly stated that Elton's and your argument is not an argument about immigration (legal or illegal), but who is immigrating here. It is common place to ignore the real argument and instead lump a generic statement deflecting the real issues (See Bill O'Reilly).

If you and Elton had doctors and astro-physicist coming from Europe and the Northern Asian countries (though you or Elton may want to limit that down to Caucasian Asian countries) Elton and thereby you, would no longer have any issues with immigration.

Instead what you are concerned about are the lower educated and poor immigrants coming across the border. Again I refer you to the poem bronzed on the plaque of the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

You think Elton and yourself think this way. I highly doubt it! Very few of the immigrants who walked through America's door came with incredible knowledge and immense fortunes. Instead, this country educated them and created a base for them to earn their wages. If you look today, some of our most powerful and most wealthy came from meager means. That's what is great and unique about this country.

So stop defending Elton. He is a reason that people distrust their government, he has grown complacent and done nearly nothing but take his government salary and future pension. Tony above referred to the Disabled American Veterans giving low marks to Elton on his votes - so he wanted to memorialize when they died, why did he do little when they were alive? The reason Elton keeps getting elected is because this town is a good ol' boys club and its the same reason our City Council has never changed, nor our state reps. It took a seriously incompetent Supervisor, who started to think she was above the rules, to get herself knocked out. So you can just stop with the fair-minded voter for Elton's success.

"I like to watch."

I like Elton Gallegly.

I think Bubba's circular arguments and over- dependence on calling everyone who disagrees with "Bubba" as negative or smear artists doesn't do Gallegly any favors.

Samson that's fair. We are all entitled to like someone and others not, and your simple statement is all it takes.

You're absolutely correct that circular arguments and the "smear" argument does not help anyone.

Chauncy,

I actually think it's tough to gauge House performance. I mean afterall, Sam Rayburn who many have argued was one of the most effective House members in the history of the body doesn't have his name on much legislation either.

I know Gallegly's office is in the Rayburn building, which is the most powerful and senior office building for House members. I've even visited him and spoken with him in this office.

I know you may say it's unfair to compare Rayburn with Gallegly and you may be right, but I also think it's really, really tough to say out of 400 sum odd members that you need to be top of all the bunch either.

In the time it has taken Elton Gallegly to introduce popular bills against things like animal torture I made a revolution that made the corrupt power that ruled the house for 40 years the minority party.

Mr. Kidd I find it odd that to say Gallegly isn't effective makes someone an extremist. It seems you sir are the one name calling.

One of the first things I noticed once I got past the part of Gallegly represents his neighbors ( I can't afford his neighborhood, does that mean he represents the rich before me? ) is him bragging about his attendance.

Really? Right off the bat the big thing in your CV is attendance? Why not some innovative to fight terrorism? Support the troops? Lower government regulation? Implement the 9/11 commission's report? No, attendance.

Gold sticker for Gallegly for attendance!

Samson,

Certainly you are correct that legislation is not necessarily the only true judge of a strong representative. As you used Sam Rayburn, I think you made the other valid way to be a strong representative.

You use leadership to show your quality. Has Gallegly ever held a leadership post within his party? I believe the answer is No. He has served for 20 years, putting himself in the top few of senior members of the Republicans and yet still no place in the leadership. Okay, maybe its tough to get into the leadership role, has he ever served as chair of a committee? Hopefully at least one in his career, because he is not even a ranking member in this Congress. Though he is the ranking member of one of the 9000 sub-committees. All of his clock punching has got him an office in the nicer building, but what beyond that? Not much.

To me it shows that he doesn't look to lead in the party and certainly has not looked to lead via legislation, of course, except for the previously mentioned immigration.

While I see the argument of our representative isn't doing enough is usually an effective tool, it also begs the question of who is asking the question.

Chauncey, are you a republican who wants to see Gallegly push more Republican issues in congress?

The reason I say that is, I gather from many of the comments excluding your own that many democrats are making the "he doesn't do anything" argument. But, again, would democrats really want Gallegly to do anything?

There is one other way to exude power on the hill (probably others, but I'm not totally an expert on the House, more a Senate fan because it's easier to follow) This is a congressman who just says "no" all the time, which garners a sort of power in Congress, especially on close bills.

This is often a fence sitting position behind the scenes that reaps rewards. Keep in mind, if Gallegly was really not very powerful, we would have seen much larger cuts at PT. Magu when in fact, we only saw some cuts in civilian personnel.

My biggest concern with Congressman Gallegly is his low ratings with the National Taxpayers Union. In 2006 he garnered a 54%.

Second, Gallegly got a C+ from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and 50% from Disabled American Veterans in 2006.

To me, if we are going to ask people to go to war, Veterans deserve 100% once they come home from their Congressman.

Our Veterans should not be forgotten.

I think part of what has made Elton less effective than he could have been is that he has surrounded himself for the last 20 years with people that have their own agendas. I think he gets a very filtered and distorted view of the county. This is no doubt true for all politicians but the unsophisticated ones will tend to believe the syncophants and will be nervous about reaching out to the "masses".

Ventura County isn't the same county that it was 20 years ago, yet those in Elton's inner circle are the same people. All of them are operating with the same constructs which works moderately well for maintaining the status quo but I think his constiuents deserve better then that. I, for one, am a little more concerned with getting a realitistic grip on the immigration problem AND preserving the ag business than worrying about the random bear that has been tranquilized or roosters than are being transported across state borders.

I think it is time for Elton to pick a new team of advisors or at least freshen things up a little bit. Surrounding himself with right wing ideologues isn't going to do much for his efficacy in Washington given the Republicans are in the minority. Some of them talk the moderate talk but their actions are pretty telling.

He should get a new team of quality people that are more representative of the demographics of his district. He doesn't need to do this all at once, but changes should be made. And he should announce the changes in press releases, etc. so that it is clear he doesn't have a static organization.

One of the changes I would make is to remove Janice, his wife, from his payroll. It may be legal but it just doesn't sit right. Another area that needs to be addressed is the perception that an "annoited" person will take over when he steps down. This is a) counter productive and b) anti-democratic and c) presumptous in nature. Once again, his constituency deserves better treatment than this.

Someone remarked earlier that Elton didn't read this blog. All the elected officials read this blog and the letters to the editors - which is why I cringe when personal attacks are posted instead of valid critiques.

Katie--

Can you outline the concerns of the ag industry for the blog? Living in Simi, I generally hear the ag industry is pretty powerful in this district, but really am not totally aware of their interests as I'm just a suburban who once visited a corn field to pick out my Halloween pumpkins in Simi, but now my memories are around where "The Habit" used to be.

I live in West County - where agriculture is very big. It is my understanding that they would very much welcome some kind of "guest worker" program - which Elton is very opposed to as he sees it as offering anmesty.

Perhaps Simi's recently elected Supervisor and fellow ag person Peter Foy can mediate the current conundrum of not wanting illegal immigration but not wanting to decimate the ag business at the same time.

Samson-

I am a Democrat who would like to see Elton go becuase he and I are diametrically opposed philosophically to each other.

I am realistic though and know that there are a majority that support him. So, I would like for him to advance the area in acquiring federal dollars. That's really the only thing I am looking from him. I don't want him advancing his philosophical agenda at all. So for that I am happy that he is not a legislative hound - like Senator Brownback from Kansas.

You bring up a valid point on Pt. Mugu, if that is related to his protections, but would think he should be able to garner more than $13m in transportation funds for such a senior member. I hate pork spending, but as long as the House is doing it, I'd like to see more coming more our way. Now we will get even less because the Dems are in power.

Chauncy stated the following:

--------------------------
You use leadership to show your quality. Has Gallegly ever held a leadership post within his party? I believe the answer is No. He has served for 20 years, putting himself in the top few of senior members of the Republicans and yet still no place in the leadership. Okay, maybe its tough to get into the leadership role, has he ever served as chair of a committee? Hopefully at least one in his career, because he is not even a ranking member in this Congress. Though he is the ranking member of one of the 9000 sub-committees. All of his clock punching has got him an office in the nicer building, but what beyond that? Not much.

Posted by: Chauncey Gardner at February 18, 2007 10:05 PM
---------------------------------------

It seems that many of you speculate on things instead of getting the facts. You stated that you believed that Elton Gallegly has never held a leadership post within his party or chaired a committee. Here are the facts:

Elton Gallegly is a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee. He is the vice ranking member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims. He is the senior member of the Natural Resources Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee. And he is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats. Gallegly chaired the Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights and chaired one of the first hearings on the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations.

And for those that complain about absentee Congressmen, Gallegly has maintained a 98 percent voting attendance record during his tenure in Congress.

So yes, I will continue to defend Gallegly against what I see as speculation and unfair accusations. Those that attack him seem to have little interest in looking up his true record but instead resort to generalizations or simply label him as a "bigot" or "stuffed suit". It is those types of tactics that I take exception. You don't have to agree with his position on certain issues, but the personal attacks against him that occur with regularity in this blog are unfair.

Katie--

The challenge I see is a little different, but I'm glad you brought up a guest worker program.

Feel free to blast me if you think I'm wrong.

The Ag industry wants cheap labor ie guest workers to pick crops, which is not subject to a minimum wage laws.

Amazing how democrats like Nancy Pelosi act like they stick up for workers, but just not sharecroppers and field workers.

The Ag industry has been the reason the next trade round in the WTO has been stalled. Many nations will not give up their food export subsidies.

Doesn't this just seem like the ag industry wants the benefits of open borders for themselves, but consumers are not allowed to reap the benefits of cheaper agricultural products from foreign countries?

Or when the US decided to challenge bans on Genetically modified crops in the EU. The Ag industry was for it because it opened the market, but are against having to compete internationally without subsidies.

Gallegly has been a recently consistent supporter of WTO free trade and other bills such as CAFTA. It is interesting to see that Gallegly voted against Most Favored Nation Status with China and NAFTA earlier in his career, but has moved to a pro-trade position in the last few years.

Of course, we rarely see a farmer run against Gallegly, so I wonder if in fact the Ag industry is really all that up in arms with him.

I'm not a farmer so can't begin to speak for them. I do know a number of people in the industry who aren't happy with the lack of a comprehensive guest worker program and feel they aren't being heard. Logically, it seems that Ventura County needs a guest worker program. If I was a politician, I would be sure the ag community was being represented adequately and I don't think beating up their labor pool is a good approach.

Conversely, I'm not happy with the Ag community when they try to prevent free trade with Mexico - like with avocados, etc. Or with the trucking industry. I don't think that is right. I'm totally against subsidies to any farmer or industry - U.S. or international.

Nancy P. talks the good talk about sticking up for workers but I guess her personal business(s) are quite cavalier in hiring non-union workers, etc. She never gets any static on this though.

Bubba-

Did you even read what I posted? I assume you did because you reposted it, because I did research and found the facts - that's how I knew the answers. Maybe you just don't understand how the Congress works. So here is a lesson:

I asked "Has he ever had a leadership post in his party?" That means has he ever been the Republican Leader (Minority or Majority)? Has he ever been the Minority or Majority Whip? Has he ever been the head of the Republican Congressional Committee? Those are the three major leadership roles in Congress. The obvious answer is no.

Then I asked "Has he ever served as a chair of a committee?" Notice that I asked about committee, not sub-committee. In fact, I stated that I knew he was a ranking member of one of the 9000 sub-committees. You know why I asked it that way, because the committee is the powerful area. Nearly everyone is the chair or the ranking member of a sub-committee, because there are so many they don't matter. A senior member is another congrats you have been on this committee a long time, but no power with it. A ranking member is the leader of the minority party in a committee = power.

So try and either understand the subject matter or take more time reading my posts. Gallegly has no power within his own party. He didn't even push for Minority Leader or Whip or anything. You know why? Because no one would support him. I am more than happy to have a discussion, but please slow down and read the posts rather than just flying off the handle and writing something that makes you look ignorant.

"I like to watch."

Chauncey:

What you are bringing up on committee chairperson seats and majority leader, minority leader is fair, but doesn't the benchmark you set make an implied leap that the 300-400 sum odd members of the House who are neither chairpersons or minority/majority leaders are useless?

In my view, and you are free to disagree, a sort of "buck stops here" presidential yardstick on a congressperson doesn't fit. To me, the measure of a congressperson is their ability to work within a House of many divergent views, ideological differences to pass legislation. Your more a member of a team.

I'm not cutting Gallegly slack, but he doesn't just get to write executive orders all day that are followed.

Again, I wish he had higher ratings from the Disabled American Veterans and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. A 50% or C+ score is not high enough for me, but that's a personal preference.

Samson, I think your point is valid that it is difficult to use a yardstick to measure success, but how else to determine if you have a successful Congressperson, City Councilperson or State Legislator? You have to evaluate their legislation, their status within their party, what kind of resources they bring home or at least good votes. That elected official should have one of those.

All of the above, to me, seem like a fail for Elton. Not much legislation, little to no power within the party and not much in my view (which is limited to Moorpark, Simi and TO areas) for resources coming home. Maybe he is making a big difference in Santa Clarita, I can't say. From everything I can see though - not that great. The veterans issues get subpar marks and gun advocates, as stated by Tony, give him low marks. He voted against stem cell research, which may lead to success in medical solutions for terminal diseases. Who is he supporting with his votes?

Also, regarding the power within the party, if he was in the 50% bottom of seniority, I could cut him more slack there. He clearly is within the top 25% of seniority, so to me there should be no slack granted (not that you are granting him slack, but I certainly am not in this area).

Again, I tried to wiegh Elton outside of my party bias and I can see where someone else could be at least, if not more, successful. Even if it was Tom McClintock, who again I disagree with, but seems to know how to get some things done.

I wonder what makes Katie Teague who is clearly in the know think Elton Gallegly reads blogs? Did you used to work for him?

Is it right, wrong, or "other" for him to pay his wife Katie?

As a staffer I can tell you that elected official's aides may read them, but most electeds don't. An aide may go back to the boss and tell them, but for the most part the elected doesn't read it...

Unless they are a local elected like a City Council member or School District Board member.

I believe that most higher level elected officials assign their staff to monitor the local paper as well as the LA Times, etc. I know that Elton has both his West Coast and his East Coast contingent monitor the local paper. He would be a fool to depend on his staffers for complete monitoring because information will be filtered. I supposed he could choose to live in a vacuum.

Staffers are supposed to be the eyes and the ears and oftentimes the elected official is only as good as his/her staff. Sometimes this can be a very scary thought (no offense to Staffer). And sometimes staffers get on this blog and try to do damage control for the candidate/elected official.

Blogger Y, I really don't think elected officials should have their spouse or kids on the payroll or receiving public dollars. I don't think Elton should do it and I don't think the Stricklands should do it. And if they do decide to do it, I think every effort should be made to make it public by both the elected official and the spouse. There is a reason why this never happens - people don't like it.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
-- John Quincy Adams

Elton?

Lots of letters to the editor in the Star today pointing out what a total failure Elton Gagme really is!

Maybe those readers should vote next time.

How do you know they did not vote? Have you been privy to confidential voter records? Do you and the VCRCC have a Nixon style enemies list?

Only in your imagination.

Katie--

Are you suggesting the US would be better off with a Western Hemisphere-style common market where labor, capital, goods, services, and crops are free to move freely within our nation and our neighbors?

Chauncey:

I actually needed to reflect on your last response a bit, so I apologize for the delay. The best question in your post was How do we best judge an incumbent's performance?

As simple as that sounds to answer, it is much tougher than it looks.

Too be honest, I read the votes and gauge how well I think society is doing compared with the previous election.

Then, I vote.

Please note, I do not just see how I'm doing personally, then vote with my feet either. Many people I know decide their vote with what party or how they are doing personally. I feel my vote must be an appraisal review of the politicians past term. I seriously sit down, read my stuff and say to myself, "If I'm the only one who shows up on election day, how would I want the world to look?"

I do not listen to polls telling me what races are close and I need to vote on. I sit down and decide if it was only my call, what would I like to see for the US, for Ventura County, and for Simi Valley and for my state.

I guess that's the best I can answer. You won't read this on the blog as everyone seems to always have the answers. I am stumped.

Samson,

That's a fair assessment. I think that if we all took time to think about our vote the way you do, we would have a very different group of representatives in our Legislatures.

Unfortunately, it appears that very few people research or understand who their representatives are, let alone what those reps are suppose to be doing for them. Your right it usually comes down to something else, party, race, sex or their personal success.

I don't think it will change, but I think a fair exchange of ideas on the internet, in community groups or just with friends can at least help others start to think about issues like this the next time they go to vote.

Can Elton Gagme be impeached?

He can be removed by the Congress or recalled.

Roll Call notes that Congressman Elton Gallegly has decided to run for re-election. Contrary to his statements last year that this is his last term, instead he will run again. My guess is that he will also run in 2010, due to redistricting considerations.

Is it a lie when Elton Gallegly does it?

Why can't this guy play fair and open? It seems like he is up to his old tricks again. I can't believe he gets reelected when he abuses the truth like this so often.

E. Gallegly are you running or not?

Why should Gallegly tell all of his enemies what he intends to do? I bet all of his close allies know. What right do you have to know his plans?

Hillary was evasive for years as to whether she was intending to run for president. It was always her perogative whether she wanted to make her intentions known or keep everything close to the vest. So what? There is nothing unfair or untruthful about keeping secrets.

Two interesting stories in the Star yesterday and today. One said illegal immigrants commit crimes at a rate five times lower than u.s. citizens based on a study. The other story said a non-partisan study based on 44 years of data showed illegal and legal immigrants do not take jobs from natural U.S. citizens and in fact, they promote a higher standard of living for those born in the U.S. Gallegly's response to this was comical. He basically said the two studies could not be true. Why? Because Elton has based his career on bashing immigrants and getting elected by pushing fearmongering of immigrants. These studies show that Elton is nothing but an empty suit who has used lies to get elected. Very sad.

What you left out was that this "study" did not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants. That certainly brings into question the validity of the study and the intent of those who authored it. Furthermore, this study actually states that immigration lowered wages for immigrants who came to this country before 1990 by as much as 20 percent. The study also did not account for the cost of increased healthcare, the drain on our education system, and the overcrowding of our jails.

For those interested in reading the actual article click on the link below.

Actually, in terms of jail overcrowding the study showed that jails are not overcrowded with illegals, in fact they commit crimes at a rate five times lower than U.S. born males ages 18-39. Also, what proof have you that illegals drive up healthcare costs? In fact, most illegals are healthy because the sick and elderly cannot make the track into the U.S., it takes a healthy person. In terms of immigrants and lower wages that would seem to mean past immigrants have not assimilated very well. It also showed that U.S. born citizens would have a drop in real wages without these legal and illegal immigrants. What I found comical about Elton was that he basically said "These studies do not support my belief system, therefore they cannot be correct." I guess for some the world is still flat.

Barack full on lied about running for President. During his election campaign, he said he'd stay the whole six years if elected senator.

He did? Oh my god, a politician who said he would do something and did not? Oh my god! Thank you Owen for pointing this out. Oh by the way, how did you feel when Gallegly said he was dropping out and then changed his mind? Did he "full on lie", or do you have two standards, one for white conservatives and one for african american democrats?

I think it is funny when someone gets caught lying and all their defenders can do is say others do it too!

Did that work for you in school or with your parents Owen?

Without qualifying the statement since Gallegly said he would only serve one more term and now he is already secretly planning to run again, would that make him a liar like Barack Obama? Just say Gallegly lied we all want to hear it.

You can't say he changed his mind since you already said that Barack lied. They both did the same thing. You labeled Barack a liar. Is Elton Gallegly a liar if he runs?

The "L" word was brought up in this thread long before I used it. You're willing to beat down one person but not acknowledge similar blatant behaviour on your side of the aisle. Besides, what do you have against lying politicians anyways. After all, it's ok for the president to lie under oath, a crime for which you and I would be put in jail. I'm sure you've all heard Geffen's comments about the ease with which the Clinton's lie. If you have to shout "liar" everytime you hear Gallegly's name, why do you not do the same when you hear Obama or Clinton?

Okay, then we are agreed that Obama, Bill Clinton and Elton Gallegly are liars. Can we add W to that list? And Cheney?

By the way, did you just use record/movie producer David Geffen as your proof that the Clinton's lie? Wow, that is powerful proof. Oh wait, no its not. It's David Geffen a record/movie producer, they never lie to get what they want do they? Say maybe Barack Obama more money for his campaign by calling the other big fundraiser a liar.

"I like to watch."

Another great article in the Star today. In Colorado they passed tough immigration laws, the kind Elton wants. And guess what? The crops rotted in the fields. No citizens would do the job (the job Elton said is being taken from Americans). So now the state wants to hire convicts at a rate of 60 cents a day to do the work. Many farmers are saying they don't want criminals around their families and on their farms, and they also said the cost will actually be more because they also have to pay the guards. Any other bright ideas Elton? In terms of Owen, what a putz!

Get to your video store and rent:
"A Day Without a Mexican."

Funny and (probably) true.

Owen, I am ready to admit that if Barack said he'd serve his full term and changed his mind that the statement was a lie.

I am also calling what Bill Clinton did was a lie.

Now we will you admit Gallegly lied?

If Gallegly promised that this was his last term, as has been noted here but which I never read, and he intends to run again, then yes, he lied.