Brian, when I first read your sidenote, I read that I made 20,0000 comments on your blog and it made me think I need to get a life!!

Mike Gibson, good luck! You are going against the smartest politician in the county. Choose your friends carefully and be careful you don't offend your voter base.

Welcome to the race, Mike! Truly, one of our more intelligent, yet enigmatic, local political personalities. It's good to see it won't be a one-horse race in the First District after all.

Gibson is counting on the fact that Strickland and the VCRCC (with money run through the committee for member communications) will be spending lots of money in District 1 since their districts overlap. That means a heavy voter registration program and an absentee voter chase.

Strickland will be using Gibson to help turn out the Republicans.

"Laura, my dear, if your vitriol wasn't so hateful and nasty, it would almost be humorous. No, I take that back, it's still humorous. Believe me, if those are the best punches you and your cronies from the VCDCC can throw, I've got nothing to worry about.

I think you need to administer a little self-massage to relieve the stress. There now, that feels better, doesn't it?"

Posted by: Mike Gibson at July 29, 2007 05:50 PM

Archives - please tell me that Mike Gibson isn't Mongo Flamo.

I definitely won't tell you that.

Wow, if that was him, that's actually pretty funny. Wit to boot, huh? Who's the Laura he's addressing in the comment - Laura Winchester?

I know Mike and he's a great guy, in my opinion. Perfectly suited for public office. Don't know who Mongo is, but, judging by the commentary, he doesn't sound like a very honorable fellow.

Mike,

When you put up a website send me a link.

I think this is a fool's erran for Gibson. What has changed since the city council race that didn't turn out well for him.

It is great to give voters a choice, but what is he going to do differently this time?

"A little self-massage to relieve the stress. There now, that feels better, doesn't it?"
by
Mike Gibson
------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Gibson you must be a real guru at self-massage to believe you can win a Supervisor seat.

The only thing he's doing here is trying to get name recognition for his next council race, as is Carroll Dean Williams, who runs for everything. My money's on CDW getting more votes.

Oh - and Jeff Ketelsen (DTS) of Ojai also pulled papers for District 1. So it's Bennett (D), Ketelsen (DTS), Williams (R), Gibson (R).

I have heard that he's got $50,000 in the bank that he's ready to spend, which may get him a couple of more votes than Carroll Dean Williams, since he never spends a dime on his election runs. He doesn't even put a candidate's statement in the voters' guide.

Why do people like Mike Gibson want to be in politics? Why do these people want power so bad? Look at G.W. Bush. Look how bad he wanted power and look what kind of a leader we got.
Is Mike Gibson a tadpole G.W. Bush? In my opinion he is.

Mongo, er, Gibson also pulled papers to run for the VCRCC.

What about the notion that we wants to serve the community? Has anyone considered this at all, or are we all just content to take potshots at someone because we don't have the guts to put ourselves out there?

Hey, Katie, I took your advice on the Tim Herdt blog. So, here I am, in your words, "pimping" Mike Gibson on the Dennert blog. If the Clintons can do it with Chelsea, why can't I?

I disagree with all these naysaying people with agendas, like Laura Winchester, member of the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee, who has a major axe to grind with any Republican running for office. I think Mike would do a great job in whatever public office he is elected to (be it the VCRCC, the City Council, or the Board of Supervisors). He's got the community's interests at heart at all times and isn't in it for the power trip or the ego gratification like is being stated here.

Hey TW - see there is a whole thread for Mike G. over here. Do me a favor and don't talk about how "hot" he is like has been done on previous threads - that just isn't right. I think it was someone called Jill Dominique.

Brian let Mike G. have his own thread when he was running for Ventura City Council and I'm sure he would do so again. It is a good way to ask him questions, etc.

Don't be too hard on Laura - it's her job to grind an axe over Republicans.

Pimp away!

Bennet/Gibson Bloggies!

Fellow bloggies. After reading recent blog entries, I get the distinct feeling that much like George Bernard Shaw's observation about the English and the Americans, what separates us all is a common language.

In the interest of promoting light, and not heat, permit me to offer an intriguing possibility. Regardless of Mike Gibson's merit as a candidate for County Supervisor, could it be that some have encouraged his candidacy as part of a Machiavellian strategy of leveraging Republican-member only communications to increase Republican turn-out in the 1st Supervisorial District, and in so doing, narrowing the tight race between HBJ and TS even tighter in November of 2008?

In 2006, Osborn had no trouble trolling amongst various, sundry and sordid development interests with projects before the County, in order to gain $30 K or so in contributions to the VCRCC. Then, during the last 20-days before the November 2006 General Election, he shrewdly dumped that money into Republican "Member-Only" communications, whcih helped Peter Foy eke out a narrow win against Dantona in the 2006 Supervisorial Race.

Could it be that Brother Osborn, et al, are attempting to make the 4th SD's past the 1st SD's prologue in 2008? Only this time, the intended beneficiary would be less Gibson and more Strickland. As Artie Johnson used to say in Laugh-In, "...Veeerrry Interesting!.."

After all, if the Democrats are successful in recalling Jeff Denham up in the San Joaguin Valley, the 19th SD race will be "Ground Zero" in the Partisan Armageddon that will ensue. How does the prospect of a $20 Million State Senate Race sound, fellow Venturans??

Just a humble prognostication from a humble prognosticator. Comments, anyone???

NostraDEMUS

NostraDEMUS - I think you have it pretty much pegged. It's going to be ugly and expensive. I thought Kimble Ouerbacher was going to be the sacrificial lamb but I guess Mike Gibson will be - more power to him. He's going to need it.

NostraDEMUS, I agree, there is definitely much more than meets the eye in this race. Gibson and Osborn are thick as thieves, so it doesn't surprise me on the political strategizing here. Actually, this could benefit both of them in that it helps position Gibson for another run at City Council and helps get Republicans out for Strickland in the west end of the County, a win for Osborn. Stay tuned to this one...

Unless Gibson can do something for his community besides cause trouble on blogs, align himself with Republican Central Committee members and throw his money away in a fruitless attempt at a supervisor's seat, he has no chance in Ventura politics. He has done nothing to better his newfound town -- having lived here only two years -- isn't involved on city committees and hasn't made a name for himself in local causes. Even name recognition from a supervisor's race won't help him until he proves to Ventura that he can accomplish something. His far right-wing leanings will always alienate the majority of the voters here.

There is more to life than holding office. The best people are those who eschew glory and focus on accomplishment.

Actually, Gibson is on several community-based committees and organizations, such as the Ventura YMCA, the Chamber's Legislation and Youth Foundation committees, as well as a couple of committees associated with his church (Sacred Heart Catholic Church).

Yours is old news and doesn't take into account his recent accomplishments, but then again all you're apparently trying to do is run someone down by making false statements against them. Just out of curiosity, Ventura Watcher, do you do anything yourself besides "watch" and criticize others? I wonder if you've ever put yourself out there by running for public office. No, you haven't, have you? I thought so!

Recent accomplishments? Since November? How much can you accomplish in three months? Padding the old resume are we? There are any number of long-time residents waiting in the wings for the next Ventura election who have done much, much more for their community.

In the mean time, have fun fighting Bennett, the shrewdest politician in the county and a fundraising juggernaut.

What residents do we have waiting in the wings in Ventura? Are we talking about Carroll Dean Williams and Brian Lee Rencher? I haven't heard of anyone else.

As long as the Council incumbents are running, he should have no problem. These are the morons who brought you the 911 tax, er, ahh, fee.

I'm thrilled someone has decided to step up and run against Steve Bennett. This guy is a joke! He may be a shrewd politician, but he's a horrible leader and a sociopath. His liberal, anti-business mentality has worn thin in my part of the district, that's for sure!

Jim Todey,
To my knowledge Katie Teague is our blog in-house psychologist. Only she can properly diagnose any mental afflictions of the commentors.
Furthermore,
Mike Gibson would not have a chance against Steve Bennett. If this is too depressing for you we could schedule an appointment for you to see Mrs. Teague.

There isn't a sane blogger here, let's face it.

Hey Pistol Whip 'Em, your boy Gibson likes Ventura's controversial 911 fee:

From the Ventura County Star:

"Resident Mike Gibson applauded city leaders for being creative and following through on a pledge to provide greater safety resources. Officials estimated the revenue would allow the city hire six police officers and three firefighters and buy necessary equipment.

"The fee is the most palpable and acceptable approach," said Gibson, who ran unsuccessfully for a city council seat last month. He said the roughly $20 annual cost per phone line "is a small price to pay to add six officers and three firefighters on the street."

Actually, I believe he withdrew his support of the new tax after they proposed the $50 opt out fee. Get current, Newspaper Reader!!!

Poor Katie, your prediction isn't depressing for me at all. In fact, it just reenergizes me to support Mike. I will be making a sizable contribution to his campaign for election. We need to get Bennett out of there! Go Gibson!!!

Jim Todey - I don't know what in the heck you are talking about. Contribute/vote however you want. District 1 isn't even my district. I'm sure Mike would appreciate your dollars.

Jim - I also want to buy a car and I do know it is "Toddy" not "Toady".

Katie, my response was actually not to you, but to someone who signed as "Poor Katie" on a previous post, but I can see how you could have been confused.

Stop by and see me if you're interested in purchasing a car. It would be a pleasure to serve your needs. Thanks for getting my name right too!

Mr. Masquerade didn't have to respond as the actual car dealership owner. He could've left it alone or denied it. There's a pattern here. A long line of invented names, mischief and sleazy posts since last summer in support of one particular candidate.

No surprise: EXACTLY.

Bennett/Gibson Bloggies:

With all the recent bloggings about car dealers involved in local politics here, I'm reminded of the famous quip about Richard Nixon, to wit, "..Would you buy a used car from this man?..."

NostraDEMUS

Since so many commenters on this blog talk about challenging Gallegly as a natural and necessary function of democracy, I'm shocked, shocked to find such posts as:

"Why do people like Mike Gibson want to be in politics? Why do these people want power so bad?

Gibson and Osborn are thick as thieves, so it doesn't surprise me on the political strategizing here.

There is more to life than holding office. The best people are those who eschew glory and focus on accomplishment."

So, it's our Democratic duty to challenge Gallegly, but Gibson is a hack who has done nothing to better the community, and is a glory-hog. Long Live Bennett! May the vile Republicans never challenge this seat! Right . . .

Watch out for those last minute "membership mailings".

Owen,
The County is looking at some very serious economic issues coming up. They also are losing their CEO who knows where all the skeletons in the County closet are. I imagine he could write a very intriguing book.

Now the County needs to hide those skeletons from a new CEO or try and explain them to a candidate and hope he or she doesn't tell the rest of us. Either way it should be exciting.

Owen:

Agreed. Mike Gibson has as much right as any other citizen, 18-years or older who resides in the 1st Supervisorial District and is registered to vote, to challenge Steve Bennett as does anyone else.

Personally, I don't know Mike Gibson, nor have I heard of him before his run for City Council last November. Regardless of his placement in the November Council election (I believe sixth or seventh out of nine or ten candidates running, with the top three being elected), the June 2008 Supervisorial Election is a new day. It takes guts and gumption to put yourself through the ordeal of running for political office, regardless of the odds.

I am keenly interested, however, on just how he squares the political circle he put himself into regarding the 911-Fee vote by the City Council. In a post above, whomever Jim T is says that Mike Gibson reversed his widely publicized support for the 911-fee, when City Manager Rick Cole proposed the $50-opt-out option. Well, to be fair, Jim T. is not Mike Gibson (at least I don't think so), so I'll have to wait and see what Mike Gibson says publicly about this question. But for me, the 911-fee was morally and politically wrong, operationally unsound, and psychologically pressuring on those who need emergency response services the most.

Generally speaking, public service fees are charged for services that are optional, or at the very least, portable. Common-sense, and life-experience tells us that people who are calling 911 in an emergency have no choice, nor, under most circumstances are they thinking in a clear, dispassionate, state of mind about whether or not they want to pay a fee in order to get an emergency responder to show up pronto. They need emergency help now, period. Call me old school, but under those circumstances, it is my opinion that government should respond to such emergencies without consideration of a fee cash register ringing in the background of that 911-emergency call. There are other ways in which to skin the budget shortfall cat.

Nonetheless, it will be very interesting to see how Supervisor Bennett chooses to respond, if at all, to the political challenges posed by Mike Gibson, Carol Dean Williams and potentially others. I guess we will all have to wait and see until March 8th, after the close of filing, how many actual presumed challengers actually file papers and are qualified to run against Supervisor Bennett.

NostraDEMUS

Sorry, Owen, just NOT impressed with the guy. I don't like what he and his "supporters" have posted on this blog. Mongo has been just plain scummy. This latest bit of masquerading as a local businessman is too much. But it's just a blog, isn't it? In real life, I think Gibson's resume is too thin and he doesn't represent the majority views of Ventura or the First District.

But if he wants to be the sacrificial goat for the Republicans, he can knock himself out.