Paul Chabot won.
I kicked his butt good, but he won. Pete Aguilar is the dem Nominee in CA-31 which is rated Likely Dem in the Cook Report due in no small part to people like Lesli Gooch.
The Registration spread in the district is +6 dem, so it is far from hopeless and could certainly be competitive with Obama sitting at 40% approval and the psycho Lulu Pelosi at 9% approval.
Lesli Gooch finished 3rd by 200 votes. She should have congratulated Paul Chabot and endorsed him when the count was complete and she dropped her bid for a recount.
However, in the same manner that she walked in to CA-31, she has left.
You see, Gooch lives in Virginia. She does not own property in CA-31. In retrospect, had I known that, I may well have left Paul Chabot alone.
It gets worse. Gooch rented a place in the district over a year ago apparently as she worked with Gary Miller and thus, had advanced knowledge he was retiring. In addition, the Gooch’s re-registered a car in California to further embolden the unethical residency. (what they did is not illegal, however, it certainly violates the spirit of residency)
These are red flags I never knew about. These suggest a candidate that is completely self-serving with little or no regard for the district other than means to an end.
In that regard, Chabot had the entire field beat hands down. Paul Chabot cares, maybe too much – but what a refreshing change from Pete Aguilar or Lesli Gooch.
Sources indicate to me that Gooch, a registered lobbyist is looking to return to the Washington D.C. cesspool.
Conventional wisdom is that Pete Aguilar is the favorite in CA-31.
Is this why Gooch has refused to even take Paul Chabot’s phone call?
In the era of a 28% GOP, we don’t have time for chicken-feed sore losers. We have to unify behind the nominees no matter who they are.
I am sure the San Bernardino GOP is supporting Paul Chabot, even though they endorsed Gooch pre-primary! I am also sure that the San Bernardino GOP is NOT happy that Gooch won’t help the nominee nor give him the time of day.
I am also sure that if the San Bernardino GOP knew that Gooch’s residency was a deception – they would have treated her the same way she is treating Paul Chabot.
Let this be a lesson to all to vet the motives of people before you endorse them.
Lesli Gooch appears to have made a choice. She has decided against honoring the GOP in Riverside County and the professional ethics and code of candidates that dictates support for the nominee of your party – apparently – because she has determined that she does not want to upset Pete Aguilar thus jeopardizing her next job in Washington D.C.
Isn’t THAT special?
Surprised to hear you say
“In the era of a 28% GOP, we don’t have time for chicken-feed sore losers. We have to unify behind the nominees no matter who they are.”
Don’t recall you getting behind Doug LaMalfa when he ran against democrat, Jim Reed.
What’s changed?
Pete –
Doug LaMalfa IMO is a closeted Alcoholic, Chabot is Sober
Doug LaMalfa has taken $6 Million in Farm Welfare
Doug LaMalfa and his staff have been aggressively trying to destroy political opponents while recruiting no one for local office nor attempting to build the GOP.
I knew this when he won his primary. I also knew the dem would not beat him – so I sent the SOB a message. You and I were both right about him and he has proven it time and again since being in office.
Paul Chabot is not perfect – but he has nowhere near the negatives of LaMalfa, who is, was and always will be a special case.
I agree with your stated observations about LaMalfa. The point is there are times when one can’t support the party nominee, no matter what.
By the way, I understand the CRA is now supporting LaMalfa. How is that possible?
Blogger’s Note: Incumbent. No will amongst the delegates to oppose. I was the only no vote.
Not surprised you stood your ground. Am seriously disappointed in the CRA…and what it doesn’t stand for anymore!