by Dante Atkins (hekebolos) [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by DFA Staff [courtesy of Blog for America]

The Associated Press via Talking Points Memo reports on Sen. McCain's trip to Iraq. Here is the money quote from Sen. McCain:

 "We're succeeding. I don't care what anybody says."

It is this sort of attitude that sums up Sen. McCain and the Republican Party's relationship to democracy: they just don't care what you think.  Government of the people, by the people, and for the people is just an anachronistic slogan for Sen. McCain and the Republican Party.  Well, we know better.

Danny
Communications Director

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The Republican blogosphere is rife with rumors that Congressman John Doolittle is going to throw in the towel and not run for re-election. Instead, he'll throw his support to former State Senator Rico Oller, who has been lying in wait for higher office since his loss to Congressman Dan Lungren in the neighboring Congressional district.

Oller hails from the extreme right wing of the Republican party (as in being to the right of Dan Lungren). In the Legislature, he was known as a publicity hound and had a disastrous record on environmental and social issues but a favorite among hard-line conservatives

(In other words, he's John Doolittle with a smile.)

If the rumor mill is true, Oller may have to duke it out with Assemblyman Ted Gaines, who also is cut from the same cloth (as well as two other primary challengers who may very well fold their tents if Doolittle quits). The two have rival political organizations, however. Gaines is more established in the district and has better name ID because he holds office and has been laying the groundwork for a primary challenge against Doolittle, which obviously didn't endear him to Doolittle's political allies.

by Kim Stevens [courtesy of Party Line]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

Sheriff Corona of Orange County faces federal corruption charges according to a Los Angeles Times story today.

Must be pretty bad for a US Attorney from the Bush Administration to indict a Republican!

Corona’s heir apparent in the Sheriff’s office is already serving time.

Corona was a poster boy for the Republican Party. Often featured on Jon Fleishman’s GOP blog as an up and comer. Corona had proposed having people from his office deputized as immigration officials so he could lead the “fight against” undocumented persons.

Corona’s problems outline a problem faced by the Republican Party. Republicans oppose government and praise private sector values. So it behooves us to ask why anyone would run for office on the G.O.P. ticket? Too many, it seems, run to win personal gain for themselves while ranting against ‘government’ and berating the less fortunate in our ranks.

by Andrew C. White [courtesy of Blog for America]

And that brother of his Jim too! Trouble makers! That's what these people are. What an example they set for us.

Here I am working hard and trying to keep a low profile and Jim goes and puts our campaign on the DFA-List!

 I am very grateful.

To Jim and Arshad (and Tom). Charles and Julia and all the rest of our friends at DFA HQ in Burlington. Thank you.

We have a great slate on candidates here in Stephentown, NY.

http://www.stdems.blogspot.com 

Our campaign is a microcosm of what Democracy for America is all about. It is a town that had been abandoned to the Republican Party in the mid-90's. It is a town that wanted a choice in their elections and was just waiting for someone to lead the way.

Gov. Dean urged us to look around and see where the opportunities were to get involved. Here in Stephentown it was obvious. We formed a Democratic Committee in 2004. Ran local candidates (and won) in 2005. Delivered the town for a new Democratic Congresswoman in 2006.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Down in AD-78 (Bonita, Lemon Grove, East of SD), Shirley Horton is scheduled to be termed out in 2008. Unless, that is, the term limits initiative passes. But, the San Diego Cty. Republican Party and the GOP Assembly Caucus have been working from the notion that it was not going to pass. So, they've been scratching their heads trying to find a nominee.  You see, this is actually a contested seat. Seriously. And it's a seat that Democrats should hold. Registration is 41 percent Democratic to 35 percent Republican, yet Shirley Horton has beaten back fairly strong challengers in all three elections. She most recently defeated Maxine Sherard by 5,000 votes. 

Well, so funny story in the ol' 78th. The Assembly GOP Caucus tried to clear the field for the San Diego Police Chief, David Bejarano. Too bad they didn't really get the all clear from Bejarano. You see, he's not running now that they've cleared the field. And they are left with the guy that they tried to clear from the field as the presumptive nominee. Flip it...