Toni Strickland is Tony Strickland's mom. Chris Valenzano is a former Strickland staffer and the other rep is his wife. Now do you think they will represent the Republicans in their area or will they represent their candidate?

Same thing, Katie. But, you wouldn't know anything about that would you, you big traitor?

Good showing for Gallegly. No big surprise there.

Bennett kicked the snot out of Orellana. No big surprise there either.

Flynn looks like he may not get over 50%, so a possibility of a run-off there.

The Osborns, Neal Andrews, Paul Thompson, and John McBride winning the First District Central Committee seats. Cool!

Mongo if you are going to call someone a traitor who uses their real name on this blog then use your own real name you filthy little coward. No one cares what you have to say about your overlords on the VCRCC, you and they are the same one's who have done everything possible during the past 7 years to destroy our country, the days of extremists and small minded fools like you will end with the November elections. Start practicing saying President Obama Mongo, you punk!

I keep hearing about "extremists". Do democrats really see Hannah-Beth Jackson as a moderate voice? If you're going to support her over her opponent, at least be honest and tell us you want support an extreme liberal.

Mango/Mike - don't be a parrot. You are too old for that. And because I don't support marginal candidates doesn't mean I'm a traitor. It means I'm honest. I'm real curious to see the Republican undervote.

Orellana has 31% to Bennett's 67% with 57% of the vote counted. He continues to climb but he better start climbing faster!

Once again Katie and Leslie proved that they haven't a clue. The DTS group showed, again, that they are truly the declined to be involved, certainly in Primaries.

DTS turnout 7.7%

DTS turnout in partisan races:

Rep-2.2917%
Dem-2.2910%

I expect a 15% turnout in the general.

And although the turnout in general was horrible, the Reps still fielded more of their members to the polls, 28% to 25%.

All voters are important and all voters should get more involved. End of story.

Biggest Suprise? Marta J. taking the Dem 24th Congressional election.

Biggest surprise?

Marta Jorgensen won the Democratic nomination and now the Dems have another person to lose against Gallegly. That was the biggest surprise.

You guys can call me anti-Democratic all you want, but the woman wasn't even really running or serious. She asked Jill for a job when she got the nomination. Wow.

Hey Mongo's Daddy & Katie, what was Gallegly's margin of victory over Tenenbaum again? Sorry, I can't hear you? Did you say 77% - 23%? Thanks, just wanted to confirm that.

Mongo's Daddy, you're a pathetic loser, and a poor loser at that. As for President Obama, I don't think so, loser. Now he's going to have to actually talk about the issues, rather than just making inspirational speeches, which anyone trained under the tutelage of the Rev. Wright & Louis Farrahkan could have done. We'll see what happens when the community activist (which is all he's done) faces the ex-POW.

As for you Katie, people in fragile glass houses ought not to throw stones. You are actually calling me old? Have you looked in the friggin' mirror lately, woman?

I'm outta here. I gotta break open the checkbook now and start getting behind our next President - John McCain. Ready to join me, Katie?

Mike - that's my point. We are both too old to be parrots. I think for myself.

Poor Michael didn't really have a chance with so much opposition thrown his way. But as I said before, it was very nice to have a choice. Too bad it doesn't happen more often.

Unfortunately, McCain doesn't stand a chance here in California and probably nationally as well.

sigh

I am simply astounded that Heather would be surprised at Marta's primary win. How could someone with the education, intellect, and political savvy of Heather be surprised at anything that happened in 24th CD Democratic politics? I thought she knew everything.

Heather makes fun of Marta asking Jill for a job after Jill "won" the nomination. I guess that makes Heather an unacceptable candidate for office; from what I've seen, Heather has begged for a job from just about all the Democrats running.

Whatever SimiDad....weren't you backing Pallant before?

I'm surprised that she won; however, that doesn't mean I don't understand why.

And I'm begging no one for a job.

Not expecting overnight change - just believing that as the Decline to State voters get educated on their voting rights, they will participate in greater numbers. Example:

In the February primary in Ventura County: total voters 238,532, total DTS voters 6,871
In yesterday's primary, with still uncounted ballots: total voters 92,907, total DTS voters 5,743

It appears that the decline in turnout was far greater in the general population than the DTS.

2 biggest surprises:

Marta Jorgenson winning the Dem nomination for CD24.

Lower than expected Democratic turnout. I thought the contested races for CD24, the Assembly race with Masry and Hare, and all the Democratic Supervisorial races would have translated into bigger Democratic turnout.

2 biggest surprises:

Like for everyone, including Marta: Marta Jorgenson winning the Dem nomination for CD24.

Lower than expected Democratic turnout. I thought the contested races for CD24, the Assembly race with Masry and Hare, and all the Democratic Supervisorial races would have translated into bigger Democratic turnout.

Hey, SimiDad, don't get Heather too riled up now. She's likely to have another meltdown and go on another leave of absence from this blog.

Poor dear...

Did you say something Mongo, you pathetic little punk and loser. I saw John McCain kissing Hagee, that means McCain also believes Hitler was sent by God to help the Jews have their homeland back. I saw McCain giving another terrible speech last night. He looked like he was 95 years old! He can't even smile, he instead gets a grimace on his face that looks like he trying to pass gas instead of smile. He was saying how we should stay in Iraq for another hundred years, he started to say we can win the war against the Viet Cong, then corrected himself and said Al Qaeda. The other day he was giving a speech and he was interupted by a demonstrator, he got red in the face and went into an uncontrolled rage and starting screaming and spit came out of his mouth, can you imagine this mad man McCain with his finger on the nuclear trigger? If you want WW3 and a third Bush term and to keep paying high prices at the pump then vote McCain. If you want your country back vote Obama.

I'll do no such thing, bonehead. I'm voting for the guy that can respond to the 3 AM phone call. Not your guy, who will want to make a speech, but will then realize he's got to act instead of making flowery speeches about what he's going to do ad nauseum.

You seem to be the Beavis to Katie's Butthead around here, but you're rants are quite entertaining nonetheless. I just love getting under your skin, Mongo's Underwear.

Keep 'em coming. I enjoy whacking them out of the ballpark.

Oh, and Katie, why do you keep insisting on calling me Mike? You're deluding yourself if you think I'm your worst nightmare, Mike Osborn. And if you think I'm Mike Gibson, think again.

You're not even close, my lady, but that's OK. Keep kidding yourself and I'll keep playing along with your little guessing game, which is just designed to try and besmirch people you have a personal axe to grind with.

Mango you make me laugh because you are the village idiot of this blog. At 3am if the phone rings McCain will be sound asleep and uable to wake up becuase of all the Zanax he takes before bed everynight. If they are actually able to wake him he would fly into a rage and grab a gun and start firing wildly at the Viet Cong he believes lives in his closet. I feel sorry for McCain that he was a POW, but in Japan the greatest dishonor a soldier can suffer is being caught alive by the enemy. Why does being captured by the enemy and having his plane shot down qualify McCain as a hero? Don't heroes deliver the bombs and make it back to base? Of course being a hero is something you would know nothing about Mango, personally I think Katie is wrong, I don't even think you are a man.

Mango/Somebody/Jill Dominque/Gary - I do not think you are Mike Osborn. I know you are Mike Gibson. Which means you waste a lot of taxpayer dollars posting on this blog. Get back to work!

Why doesn't someone ask Gibson to go on the record that he isn't Mongo?

Heather, of course Democrats are at a disadvantage in Ventura County at this point in time. But you are starting to sound like Joe Lieberman with all of your critical statements about local Democrats and your inability to be critical of the many local Republicans and their flaws.

Do they invite you to Republican central committee meetings yet?

If you were more balanced in your criticisms you would have more credibility.

First, I am no fan of Mongo Flamo, but he does provide me daily laughter.

Next, there's long been a place for use of a pseudonym, particularly in the political arena. Just look to the very important Federalist Papers. Since Brian does not require a real name and Mongo has chosen to use a pseudonym, I think that Mongo's pseudonym and all pseudonyms used on this blog should be respected and a real identity should not be outed on this blog.

Since Mongo is so much a cartoon on this blog, I like to think of Mongo as being his comedic stage name. Can he actually be real? Could he truly believe what he writes? Re-consider his use of the name---he self-describes himself as the dimwit character from Blazing Saddles.

Third, on the other hand, Mongo Flamo did impliedly deny that he was Mike Gibson (but only in response to Katie's id of him as Mike). Maybe that changes my general rule.

Interesting situation.

It is common knowledge who Mongo is and since he insists on insulting everyone and yet expects to be elected, I don't have a problem with him being outed. He has already shot himself in the foot many times. He was publically ID'd as Mike Gibson on this blog months ago.

"Q" I see what you are saying, but the reason why I have not voiced criticisms of Republicans or VCRCC is because I do not know enough about them and their goings-on to speak to any of it.

This is the same way that Katie and Mongo and the others are critical of the Republicans and the VCRCC but not so much about the Dems.

It is unfortunate, though, that Ventura County has a Democratic majority and not too many viable candidates. If either Martinez or Pallant had won the nomination, there would have been more of a rally around them; however, now that someone who didn't even think she was going to win from Solvang has it, everyone will be looking elsewhere for their political involvement and Ventura County (at least for the Democrats) will go down as "the political void" once again. I know that Herdt credited the role of "educator" to Marta's win, but I really don't believe that is it. Perhaps this should be a lesson to the Dems in the area that this infighting is ridiculous and has to stop (and that includes attacking each other as candidates).

Also, last night someone said "Well, all the Dems will still vote for Marta, right?" No, I will probably not vote for Marta...I don't vote for people just because they are with a particular party affiliation, I vote for them based on their qualifications. It is completely ridiculous and uneducated to vote the party line.

Wasn't it Jill Dominque who declared Mike Gibson "hot" during his race for City Council? Figures it was him.

And to the issue of Mongo's anonymity ... Mongo has become a very interesting puzzle of sorts ... he has said he lives in Ventura and it is clear he is a Republican ... and Pluze! says he has already come out as Mike Gibson months ago, yet Mongo denies that he is "Mike." I'm sure that the truth is right under everyone's noses and I would laugh if Mongo is who everyone DOESN"T expect, much like everyone didn't expect Marta Jorgensen to win.

I happen to know Mike Gibson quite well and there is no way he is this Mongo character. Mike is a thoughtful and considerate guy and doesn't need to hang out on a blog insulting people to get his points across.

Katie, on the other hand, seems to relish the idea of getting under various people's skin. Not just Mongo, but others. So, I guess we have to consider the source.

I believe Mike also called the head of the Conejo Dems a

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

Folks, this is the blogging.... the internet...cyberspace...just because someone signs in as Mike Gibson doesn't mean he/she is Mike Gibson. What we see here is just a bunch of symbols.

And just because someone attempted to out a blogger at an earlier time does not mean it is ok to continue the outing.

Let's stick with the world of ideas.

But, that "Mike Gibson" post in July 2007 certainly sounds like Mongo.

Still a very interesting situation.

Good point, Heather, about the House race being abandoned as party supporters go elsewhere to lend a hand.

I do agree with Herdt, about the ballot labels. I'm thinking that most uninformed progressives will pass up insurance exec and housing developer for educator, every single time. What were Pallant & Martinez possibly thinking?

I voted for Tannenbaum, although I think everyone ran a crappy race. It's almost like they couldn't bother to waste their time.

You are right Edmund - I was wrong and the re-outing was in bad taste. The Mike Gibson quote was from his thread and he later apologized to Laura on the thread for calling her a "Massage Queen". That part should have been included.

So getting the thread back on track, what was the biggest surprise for you?

What is the point? Try to lop the wart off and it will just grow back. The dude's hooked. He's a blogaholic. He'll come back under another name. He already has many names.

But if it is Mike Gibson, he definitely should not be elected to any office. Scary. And very poor judgment.

Edmund-

And if it wasn't the "Mike Gibson" our host would have made the correction. There is only so much Brian will tolerate and impersonating another is not one of them.

Heather once again goes on the attack. All the infighting? What has been your role in it? Didn't you work for Pallant AND Martinez?

Heather, if you paid attention you would have realized Mongo defends the VCRCC. He doesn't attack it. He defends every local Republican candidate it seems like.

But you on the other hand are acting like Joe Lieberman. You refuse to see anything happening that helps local Democrats. You called Ventura County a political void for Democrats but forgot that Hannah Beth Jackson has been running a great campaign thus far.

If you really wanted to help the party you would spend more time talking about the decent candidates and less time going out of your way to drag the party down.

I know you used to care but some local Democrats made you bitter. But the party is bigger than you and them.

It might not matter to you but to many of us the success of the local party actually impacts our lives.

So, you have a choice. You could keep attacking or you could maybe start supporting Hannah Beth Jackson or other decent candidates.

The biggest surprise is clearly the win by Marta Jorgensen. My guess is that out of everyone she was the most surprised of all. It just demonstrates that local democrats are just as disorganized and weak as they have traditionally been in this district. This wasn't even a half-hearted effort at a serious campaign by any of the candidates. Now we have one more lamb to the slaughter for Gallegly in November.

And why is it that so many democrats vote for anyone who calls themselves an "educator"? Then again, who is inclined to vote for a person who actually lists herself as an "insurance agent". That is just one step above being a "class-action lawyer" and two steps above "convicted felon".

It looks like the candidates did such a poor job of establishing name recognition within their own party that voters resorted to eenie-meenie-minee-moe when they cast their ballot. It will be hilarious to read all the pro-Jorgensen propaganda on this blog in the coming months from all you Gallegly haters now that your own candidates have gone down in flames. But the truth is that the local left-wing zealots would vote for Kwame Kilpatrick if he were on the ballot, which is why it is so hard to take all this very seriously.

My prediction for November: Gallegly 88%, Jorgensen 12%

Do you think Tony Strickland's ballot designation is accurate?

Hey Folks,

A good friend of mine informed me this afternoon that I am being mistaken on the Dennert blog for "mongo flamo". Let me assure you, this is not me. I have seen some of his posts and know that he can be quite offensive and insulting at times.

Not sure how the rumor got started and I'm not that concerned about it, since anyone can say they're anyone on these blogs, but I just thought I'd try and set the record straight a bit.

Katie, judging by some of your posts above, you seem convinced it's me. I guess I'm a little surprised at that, but oh well.

Hope all is well with you. Maybe we can have coffee sometime and talk about the local political scene. It seems like you're still quite involved. Good for you!

So you agree that Mongo is quite offensive and insulting at times yet he often portrays himself as the voice of the county's Republican party. So Mongo is just another right wing nutcase running around? Yet he brags about Elton calling him. Is Elton a right wing nut? I'm confused.

How about we ask Brian to check IP addresses?

Do you agree?

I really thought Pallant had a shot at Gallegly. Democracy is rapidly becoming a failed experiment in this county because the voting public cannot or will not educate themselves about who the candidates are and what they stand for. Jorgensen is a scrappy little firebrand but is way over her head in challenging this incumbent. She hasn't the savvy or the sophistication needed to operate a campaign or function in Washington. She had no heavyweight endorsements, no money, no advertisements or mailers, no cogent or cognitive message, no voter outreach or phone banking, no staff or committed volunteers. She won because people in this district are basically ignorant and shallow people who are too busy to care. The majority of Dumbacrats based their vote by analyzing the candidates surnames and job titles. For their (non)diligence they will be rewarded with sending back to Washington a cowardly and manipulative party hack who will continue to allow our soldiers to die in Iraq without questioning the lies that put them there, continue to block legislation that would free us from our addiction to oil, and continue to thwart initiatives seeking to move the country in a direction toward better healthcare and education.

Dumbocrats should hang their collective heads in shame because right now the Republicans are laughing, not just behind your back, but in your face.

Nah! I think its kinda fun always guessing. Besides, you wouldn't want Brian putting a damper on the posts and scaring people away, would you?

However, though I'm AGAINST outing real IDs I would be FOR matching nom de plumes up with their various AKAs.

I agree with GS - we can't have Brian involved. The IP's remain the same even though there might be different e-mail addresses.

RJ - I can't remember the ballots designations for HBJ and TS - seems like something to do with education is the way to go in Ventura County.

My last comment on this election:

Let's call back our military immediately from their efforts to "spread" democracy around the world and use them instead to educate voters of THIS nation on what democracy should mean to them and on how to properly exercise their right to vote and support and shape THIS nation's future.

The paltry voter turnout in Ventura County is an obscene insult to the thousands of our young people who have died (and continue to die) in the name of freedoms which the majority of this nation are too lazy, too stupid and too self-absorbed to involve themselves in exercising and protecting in a meaningful way.

Yeah, if a candidate like Marta Jorgensen can win the congressional primary, something must be amiss. On the other hand, Gallegly is licking his lips, so it's all good.

It's obvious the voters of Ventura County are suffering from a severe case of Stockholm syndrome. They are listening and trying to stay out of trouble.

There's an 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one wants to talk about.

The numbers in this election don't add up.

There are 4 races/initiative/ballot measures where the polling data just a few days before the election, predicted a very different result.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the precinct breakdown on this election, in addition to the results of the 8,234 absentee ballots and 959 provisionals still waiting to be counted at the Elections office.

Even Mike Gibson thinks Mango is a fool! HAHAHA! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A couple of thoughts:

So many voters just don't have time to research the candidates and issues. They really need newspapers and other media to help them. One thing I noticed was that the Star did not cover the story when Marta dropped out. I was the only "press" at the press conference at the government center and I was there to take a photo as a favor to Brian. Then they wrote a very small story when she dropped back in.

When disappointing things happen, I always try to find a bright side. That educator ballot designation certainly bodes well for Hannah-Beth, who has that listed beside her name as she has been teaching at UCSB as part of their Public Policymaker-in-Residence program.

And given this turn of events, it is possible that Alternative Energy Executive title beside Strickland's name could just as easily be construed as Big Oil executive as in Chevron, Exxon, Enron, etc. You never quite know how people will read things, do you?

Editor in New York is smiling

Newbury Park schoolteacher Ferial Masry, a Saudi Arabian immigrant who has twice run for the Assembly, has written a book, "Running for All the Right Reasons." It is a biography telling of her journey from a land in which women have no rights to one in which she became a candidate for public office.

The book, to be published by Syracuse University Press, is to be released this fall. Because Masry prevailed in the Democratic primary in the 37th Assembly District, she will be running again when the book is released, enhancing the promotional opportunities.

This article by Tim Herdt sums up Ferial Masry perfectly: ME ME ME, MY BOOK MY BOOK MY BOOK. You know Audra is smiling today. She gets to coast to another term in November.

David Hare really tanked in the election. It's too bad. He would have been a better candidate for the Democratic Party against Strickland II. Campaign filings with the Sec. of State show about 50% of all the money his campaign raised going to two brothers as "consultants". It is probably best that David lost. He appears to have not received a very good investment on his donated funds. I don't think I would have liked to see him handling our State budget if he screwed up this bad.

I hired professional campaign consultants to make sure the money I did raise was spent effectively and efficiently. I ran a professional campaign, got my ideas out there and established my ideas and abilities.

I didn’t win the election, but received the support of many of the people in the Party and in the District.

That’s not bad for a guy who four months ago, got off his couch and said “I think we are headed in the wrong direction and I want to do something about it�.

I think Hare is a decent man but he ran a traditional campaign against someone with higher name ID.

Go read Crashing the Gate and run again.

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment about not "outing" anonymous bloggers. That's one of the main principles of blogging. People should feel free to express their views openly and candidly without the fear of recrimination or personal impact.

It seems that Katie has taken it a little far by assuming that Mongo was Mike Gibson (erroneously, it seems). That is unfortunate, as it will likely scare off some people who might otherwise decide to post on this blog. I think she has admitted she went a little too far with it (with some political motives associated, perhaps).

Let's move on and allow people to blog in peace, shall we?

It's interesting how Katie loves to criticize Mike Gibson (wrongly) for posting during working hours, yet she posts during the middle of the day all the time.

I wonder how her employer feels about her using company time to blog.

David Hare,

You were the candidate; the buck stopped with you. Trying to put the blame on consultants you hired is an indication you were not ready to lead as you claimed in your campaign speeches.

In your terms, or your daughter's terms, your comment sounds like the cudda, wudda, shudda excuse you claim to reject.

"By Mike Gibson on June 4, 2008 6:21 PM
Hey Folks,
A good friend of mine informed me this afternoon that I am being mistaken on the Dennert blog for "mongo flamo". "

yea right Mike - a little birdie told you. Have fun pretending you aren't Mongo.

Anyone who pays 1/2 of his campaign funds to a political consultant, rather than postage and printing, is a candidate who should lose the election. David Hare would have done far better had he used his limited funds to get his message out rather than pay a consultant. Wrong move Mr. Hare. If you ever try it again, you should consider spending your money more wisely.

I agree that it is really the responsibility of each voter to go out and research each candidate. However, that is just not realistic. I believe the media coverage (or lack of it) has some responsibility here as well. In consideration of the hundreds of channels on TV as well as local press and radio, where was the coverage of the actual candidates. Maybe I missed it but I don't remember any of the local media offering either a print supplement or a accessible TV program that included local candidate debates, perspectives and/or biographies. Here we have a U.S. congressional vote determined by a "job description"... Pretty scary stuff.

Mango/Somebody/Verify/blah/blah/blah - quit your bellyaching. Gibson was already outed. The more you complain, the more you remind people. And he is the one wasting taxpayer money, not me. He dug his own political grave and has only himself and his buddies to blame.

Hare ran a heck of a campaign and did exceptionally well for a newcomer.

There should be no complaints regarding who is on his payroll when we have elected officials who routinely hire/pay spouses/sisters/roommates etc.

I agree with you Katie. Stricklands are dirty with the use of campaign funds; no question about it. But the primary difference between them and David Hare is that they have tons of money and are using some of it to enrich themselves. Hare didn't have much money and may have wasted 1/2 of it. He was financing consultants as if he did have the necessary funds to run a campaign. Instead, he used very limited funds to pay "consultants" rather than invest in postage and mailers.

Dear Got duped? Don't know if mailers really make a difference - or signs for that matter. Marta did pretty well and she didn't have any of that. I wonder how he would have done in the 24th Congressional race?

Wow, Katie, still on the Gibson-bashing, huh? You must really have something to fear judging by the amount of time you spend worrying about this guy.

I disagree that he has anything to worry about politically either (even if he is "Mongo", which you keep saying, but have yet to offer any proof). Even if he loses 3 votes on this blog, that won't hurt his future political chances. Political grave? Hardly.

Got duped and Edmund, get over it.

You obviously have no clue about the amount of time it takes, and expense that is incurred, to run an effective, professional campaign. David Hare had a steep curve to negotiate in a short period of time. He was smart enough to know he needed help to do it.

In just under 3 months he went from unknown to the guy who knocked the endorsement of the California Democratic Party out of the hands of Ferial - who has run three times. That was no small feat.

Hare also received great press, endorsements and built enough name recognition to make a terrific showing, especially considering the voters random voting pattern of picking teachers on the ballot.

If you think this race was the end game for this guy, you are mistaken.

Long after Ferial's book has hit the bargain cutout bin at the local Barnes and Noble, and shed her last crocodile tear, he'll still be around talking about real issues and trying to make a difference.

It's a good thing for Tony Strickland that Katie Teague is going against him in the 19th Senate District race.

The 2 candidates that she supported in the June 3rd election did so well:

Michael Tenenbaum (24th congressional district candidate) - 23%

Roberto Orellana (Ventura County Superior Court Judge) - 35%

If I was a candidate, I think I'd solicit Katie to oppose me in the election, if those are the kinds of results she can produce.

I think Tony Strickland has got to be pleased about Katie Teague going against him in his run for the State Senate given the results of the 2 candidates she campaigned for and supported in the June 3rd election:

Michael Tenenbaum - 23%

Roberto Orellana - 35%

With a results like that, if I were a candidate, I'd sure want Katie to oppose me in the race.

Keep on drinking the kool-aid. It's about the only thing left - unless you choose to do some real work and register some Republican voters. Nah, its easier to be a keyboard jockey and pretend choice is bad. Meanwhile, the county gets bluer and bluer. Way to go!

Mike - you keep posting about Katie. It is boooooooring. She's easy to locate - do it offline and in person.

Enoough - You are correct. I think half of this thread has been wasted on Mike's (various screen names) potshots. It is a waste of bandwidth and it is boring. Sorry! I can be reached directly and in person at KatieTeague@verizon.net.

I congratulate all the candidates that had the fortitude to run a real race!! I love local politics and I look foward to the General in November.

Mongo Mike and his ego will dominate this blog if you let him. It's up to the rest of you to ignore him. He lives only to provoke a response. Pretend he's not there.

Katie,

It's interesting how you say the County is getting bluer and bluer, with a sort of relish, as if you're glad this is happening. I thought you were a dyed-in-the-wool Republican? You sound more like a Democrat in Republican's clothing.

FYI, more Republicans turned out for the June 3rd election, despite your best efforts to discourage that and the Dems 4,000 registered voter advantage in the County.

Way to go Katie!!!

Shhh... we heard nothing.

So working for a Republican candidate for judge helped which Democrat?

I don't understand why David Hare paid half of his contributions to Jim (Governmental Impact) and John Dantona.

If Hare was resourceful he would have gone to the CA SOS website and looked up slate mailers and campaign finances of previous Democrat candidates to find out who they used for mailers and slates.

Why couldn't more seasoned Democrat campaigners provide him more pro bono consulting?

Why didn't the people who endorsed him helped him to do more target mailing so he did not have to spend so much money on consultants?

Where were the individual donations from local Democrats involved in their Central Committee?

It takes money and voluteer hours not just endorsements. Hare was not ready to run a race if he did not have the time to do his research and self educate.

You do not run a campaign on an impulse four months before an election if you want to be taken seriously.

Hare's website was too touchy feely and an airing of personal trials and challenges. I saw no community involvement of any substance, only his statement of I want to make a differnce and why.

Constituents need evidence of how he has made a difference not only with his professional contributions and innovative environmental accomplishments but for the community as a whole. I had never heard of Hare before he decided to run, he is not a presence in the community.

Although I supported Ferial Masry in the previous election it did appear that she was more on a book tour for this election, very disappointing.

If Democrats want to win races they need to help each other more and put some shoe leather to their rhetoric.

I say these things to hopefully give some objective criticism that will help the next candidate to knock the Strickland's off their throne not to hurt anyone. Please take this advice to heart we need to get our act together if we are to dethrone the Strickland empire get serious don't just talk.

Take a serious look at how the campaign was run, where you made mistakes, regroup and change your campaign strategy.

David Hare made a big mistake and it cost him dearly. He was, by far, the most qualified candidate. Nevertheless, he spent what little money he had on "consultants". How in the world did he think he was going to get his message out with "consultants"? A political consultant can be an important part of a campaign. But when you spend 50% of your campaign budget on "consultants" you are doomed. David Hare needed to get his message out to the voters. He didn't use his money wisely and his giant loss was the result of that lapse in good judgement.

It seems to me that the Dantona's were the big winners in this race.

Mongologic,

It helped the Republican that was wholeheartedly supported by the entire law enforcement community in Ventura County - Jeff Bennett.

The other candidate (Roberto Orellana) was a civil libertarian posing as a Republican (just like Katie).

David Hare ran a very ineffective campaign; he didn't even expose Ferial as an anti-pro choice and anti-gay marriage Democrat. Duh!!!!

As for what David does politically tomorrow or next year, who knows? Que sera sera. Your predictions are no better than anyone else's although they may make you feel better since you sound like one of David's consultants.

But should David decide to run again, he really shouldn't arrive at the end of a political event for another Democratic candidate and then stand outside, handing out his flyers and thanking those leaving for coming as if it was his event.

If he learned that from his consultants, well....

Since this will be Audra's last term, anyone thinking about running in two years needs to remember that Jeff Gorell has already opened a campaign for the seat in 2010.

Mongo, you clearly don't know Roberto Orellana. He is highly respected by the judges as well as the majority of trial lawyers in Ventura County. He has had many years of legal service to our Superior Court and has been the attorney charged with defending the Court and its judges. He is a Republican and shares the beliefs that Reagan lived by. He was not handpicked by the District Attorney and did not attend a Nationally unaccredited law school as did Mr. Bennett. By the way, Mr. Bennett hasn't had a trial in more than twelve years, as best as anyone can document, while Mr. Orellana maintains an active trial practice as a member of the County Council's office. So Mongo, once again, you blow a loud horn, but you continue to be all mixed up.

CAP-812,

My apologies. I must have been fooled then in casting my vote for Jeff Bennett, along with the other 65% of voters who voted for him.

Thanks for setting me straight.

Fooled? I don't think I was implying that. I merely stated that you clearly didn't know anything about the other candidate. The D.A. and Bennett ran a better campaign. Then again, Mongo, do you believe that the most qualified candidate always wins elections?

Not in every case, but in this case, yes.

Imagine:

A sentence in which the words "Mongo" and "fool" appear together.

Wonders never cease.

Hey, Edmund, when did you become John Lennon?

As a follow on to my previous comments on Jeff Bennett's success in the election, I actually think CAP-812 makes a very good point. The most qualified candidate truly does not always win.

Look at what happened in the 24th District with Marta Jorgensen. I think politics is often as much an art as it is a science. You can talk about people running good campaigns, having ace campaign consultants, staff, and advisors, but, oftentimes, it comes down to good luck, good timing, and the quirks of politics.

My theory is that publicity, particularly in small-time, low profile races, whether it is good or bad publicity, will generally help a candidate.

In Jorgensen's case, I think she got some pretty good mileage from her jumping out and jumping back in the race. This was all over the local newspapers I even saw a few spots on the local TV news about it.

I totally disagree with M.L. Peterson's letter in today's Star that proclaimed Jorgensen won by running an effective campaign. Hell, she didn't even run a campaign. Nobody heard of her outside of Solvang before this race.

Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing anyone else's thoughts on this. It was undoubtedly the surprise of the entire election.

Some of you wonder why it's hard to get good candidates to run for public office? Take a look at this thread.

There are plenty of Monday morning campaign quarterbacks and finger pointers behind fake names.

Only Dave knows how much time and effort people put in, including volunteer time, and he already stated on this thread that he was happy with what was accomplished.

Too bad some of you don't have all the facts or the sense to wait for the final Campaign Finance reports to come out, or all the ballots to be counted, before you start judging Dave Hare and his campaign, and trying to tear them down.

John Dantona does creative design of mail pieces etc for a living. You know - that whole family, food and house payment thing. Jim Dantona makes his living as a consultant. I bet the $$ paid to both of them for the amount of work done ends up being far, far less of the total % in the end.

How many of you saying he was the better candidate, spent any of your time, influence, money or shoe leather helping Dave?

Dave Hare got off his couch, put himself on the line, and you got a choice on the ballot.

All of the candidates who ran did the same. Whether you like them or not, agree with their politics or strategy, they deserve credit for throwing their hat in the ring.

Now that I've stated my two cents, some of you will want to dismiss the validity of my points quickly and painlessly. To assist you in that effort, let's do multiple choice - I'll list the top ten reasons, some old and new favorites:

Laura's post should be ignored because:

1. She's sleeping with Jim Dantona
2. We think she recruited Dave Hare
3. She is a Democrat
4. She is an evil party insider
5. I don't like her picture
6. She doesn't like her picture either
7. That doesn't even look like her
8. She's friends with some Republicans
9. She has a broom and a crystal ball
10. All of the above

Maybe we just think your beautiful when your angry.

Laura, people are disappointed and the blame for that disappointment's got to go somewhere. Who should they forward it to?

I voted for Hare though I never received a single mailer, phone call or met the guy. I haven't heard of anyone in my precinct that did. We run an informal a ward-type organization here and there would have been an easy +100 or even +200 vote margin for Hare...if he'd made the effort. As it stands now, we're at a loss to figure out if we back a relatively harmless conservative, a self-promoting progressive....or just stay out of the Assembly race altogether.

Re. Item 1, please let me know the date, time and location of the next event. We shall video and make a fortune. Great for 2, 3, 4 & 8. Picture in your flier was that of a fox. Who wouldn't like it! As to 9, add the ruby slippers and I'll follow you on the yellow brick road anywhere. Thanks for all you did and do to get voters registered and energized.

Mongo,

David Orellana endorsed Bill Simon for governor.

Not exactly a liberal candidate.

Why is everything to you about partisanship and finding labels to attach to people?

I think Bennett ran a better campaign and got more effective endorsements. End of story.

It isn't because one is a liberal or one is a conservative. They both seemed like they could have been decent judges.

Mongo,

David Orellana endorsed Bill Simon for governor.

Not exactly a liberal candidate.

Why is everything to you about partisanship and finding labels to attach to people?

I think Bennett ran a better campaign and got more effective endorsements. End of story.

It isn't because one is a liberal or one is a conservative. They both seemed like they could have been decent judges.

We've heard that Orellana is a Republican. The thing is, when I get a call from the Democratic Party urging me to vote for Orellana, it doesn't go a long way toward convincing Republicans that he is the best choice. I would assume that democrats who received a call from the GOP urging a vote for Bennett wouldn't feel all warm and fuzzy about the idea either.

By the way, Marie Lakin's last post on her blog about Tony Strickland was embarrassing. I find it quite ironic that she mentioned cities who can't relate to an "extrmeme" candidate that was so far right. Not only is it a bogus claim but urging a vote for Hannah-Beth as an alternative to extremism is laughable. She was widely considered one of (if not THE) most liberal members of the Assembly during her terms. It's too bad her desire to see more balance doesn't extend to her local paper which employs liberal bloggers who trash Republicans and pass of opinion pieces as news stories. How would many of the readers here feel if the their local paper's bloggers repeatedly sung the praises of local Republicans while trashing democrats? We all know the answer.

I understand the nature of blogs but, as a woman, I was very disappointed to see Marie (who I think is a talented writer) stoop so low.

A blog isn't a news story; it's an opinion piece. It's no different than a letter to the editor. She obviously felt strongly enough about the issue to depart from her normal format. Did you see it ended up on the statewide progressive site, Calitics, too? And in BlogaBarbara, Santa Barbara's blog.

Somebody out there must've liked it enough to pick it up.

I enjoyed it myself.

I'm aware a blog is an opinion piece. That doesn't mean it's right. Besides, the news stories I'm referring to weren't blogs. Timm Herdt does just fine passing op-eds as news.

The reason the blog got picked up by other lefty sources is because it slammed Tony Strickland. Most are aware of the importance and high profile of his race. This will happen repeatedly over the next five months. I just hope the Star is big enough to allow those of us who support Tony and oppose Hannah-Beth, a voice in the pages of their paper.

Rep. Gallegly made calls for Bennett to Republican homes and Democrats made calls for Orellana.

He might be more liberal but the point remains. He is a Republican. Both of them are Republicans. Local activists got fired up because they saw the Republican Machine come out for Bennett. It wasn't a specific policy or endorsement.

A blog is not the same as the front page of a newspaper. I think this blog does a great job in at least posting events from both sides.

I don't mind hearing opinion as long as facts, events, and news releases from both sides are used and not just one side.

Have I seen more biased blogs than this? Sure. But don't expect people with more conservative views to believe this represents both sides equally. Find me a youtube link that doesn't sing Obama's praises or criticize McCain, Gallegly, etc. I don't know Mr. Dennert but I would venture to guess his inlcusion of opposition events is more to stir the pot and motivate dems. It's a "Gee, look what so and so is doing, I don't necessarily think that works but at least they're doing something. Don't you think his/her opponent should get on the ball?" It doesn't take a PhD in Poli Sci to recognize the leanings of this blog and it's participants. And, instead of perhaps providing a blog for a counterpoint, we get another blogger who viciously attacks a Republican candidate as being a child hating liar and happens to be good friends with their opponent (a liberal dem...shocker).

Don't pretend that dems should get some bi-partisan award for fairness for supporting the slightly less conservative of two Republican judicial candidates. They were the only two options. We all know that if Gloria Allred had been under both of their names, the calls from the dem party would have had a different message.

I'm glad you like hearing opinions from all sides. I'd just prefer that you didn't have to scroll down the comments section of another left wing blog or biased article to find them.

Let's be honest...

You didn't live up to your billing.

LBH,

I include events from all sides to better inform my readers about what is going on in local politics.

Many bloggers just put up stuff from their own side. I don't do that. I think it is a much more successful model to bring up information about different candidates and not just the ones you support.

I haven't measured the partisan break down of my readers but the idea it is either a political viper den of liberals or conservatives is false.

A closer assessment would show it has different factions that post and many factions that read it.

I agree that Democrats chose the more moderate of the two Republicans to support but they were both Republicans.

You said: "Gee, look what so and so is doing, I don't necessarily think that works but at least they're doing something. Don't you think his/her opponent should get on the ball?"

I disagree. I think Republicans have used highly effective strategies and tactics. Tony Strickland is the best campaigner I know in this area. I post his events because he sends them in, because they are newsworthy, and because readers like to see them.

Most of the entries on the front page are factual and local in nature but you are correct that I support Barack Obama.

By the way, what youtube link goes after Gallegly on this blog?

Mr. Dennert, is there a Republican you have or will support over a democratic rival in any of the recent/upcoming elections?

I have voted for Republicans in the past and I have worked as a volunteer for people of both parties.

But in this upcoming campaign do I plan to cross over to vote for Republicans? Let me run through the different campaigns and write a blog entry on the topic for you. I will then ask readers the same question.

Sound good?

What about yourself? What local Democrats do you plan to vote for? I will include the list in my blog entry.