Democratic Challenger to Elton Gallegly?
As the former Ventura mayor and author of popular slow-growth law SOAR, Richard Francis has been urged to run against 11-term incumbent Elton Gallegly for CA-24 in 2008, according to an LA Times article penned by Catherine Saillant.
In a recent interview, the 63-year-old legislator said he was in excellent health but hinted that he still was thinking about retirement after two decades in office. For now, all [Gallegly] will publicly say is that he is keeping his options open for the June 2008 primary.
"The dynamics have changed dramatically in the last year or so. Now [the Republicans] are in the minority," Gallegly said, referring to the Democratic takeover of both houses of Congress in November. "Leadership has put a full-court press on some of the more seasoned people. It's an honor to have people trying to convince you to stay."
Gallegly also may face pressure because of his unwavering support of the Iraq war.
Gallegly, who has voted to support President Bush every step of the way, said he stands by his votes. "I don't know anyone who likes war. I don't like war," Gallegly said. "But I don't like people who posture to do us great harm."
What a curious statement. Is he equating the Iraq war with 9/11? Who are the people that are "posturing to do us great harm"? Is it worth the lives of 3500 American soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis to go to war based on "posturing"? If he is referring to the supposed WMD's, is he stubbornly refusing to admit that the intelligence was wrong, or worse, that it was doctored, stovepiped and manufactured?
Republicans are well aware that George W. Bush and the Iraq Occupation are a gigantic albatross around their necks. Whether they jump overboard, throw W. to the sharks or go down with the ship, it doesn't look promising for the GOP nationwide in 2008.
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Comments (3)
I never heard of Richard Francis but I like the name. From what I know of Gallegly, he's a system shill, and his contorted views on the war prove it. The democrats have betrayed their supporters and proved once again that the republicrats serve the money masters and sell their souls for personal gain and care nothing for the lives of innocent womem and children. They've got it all rationalized out in patriarchal, politically expedient fashion but it still stinks to high heaven. Mr. Francis would have to be another St. Francis to make any impact on this once promising country. We need a revolution in consciousness, one that sees the truth right down to the dark core. Thanks for bringing this information to my awareness.
Comment #1 Posted by: Dennis Leary | June 23, 2007 07:57 AM
unfortunately, i know plenty of people who like war. they think it's awesome, and it makes them feel viscerally and primally powerful. they all have one thing in common though: they've never participated in it.
so i think that for Elton to say he doesnt like war (but will vote for it in lock step over and over and over) means he's either
a) voting against his OWN conscience,
b) voting against the popular will of the people he's supposed to represent (since the vast majority oppose the war),
c) lying out his ass, and he actually loves war (from a distance), or
d) any combination of the above.
either way, it's time for him to go. he needs to be REMOVED, not simply allowed to leave. from several of the many letters i've received from the man:
"I share your desire for a more peaceful world for our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, differences often arise on how best to achieve peace and security for our nation an the world."
seems like WAR is one of those pesky differences of opinion.
Comment #2 Posted by: evan | June 23, 2007 08:40 AM
I'd guess # 3 above, he actually loves war (at a distance). Sadly, it's not only Elton but way too many of us. That phrase "love war at a distance" is poignant and all too true. At least gung ho warriors who do it man to man are courageous in their own way but those of us who passively watch the carnage and do nothing deserve a place in Dante's hell right above those who watch from a distance and profit from it. It's called war profiteering, and we're in the wargame if we have so much as a bank account. Peace.
Comment #3 Posted by: Dennis Leary | June 23, 2007 10:04 AM