Primary Showdown.

The Possibility of a primary showdown is becoming more and more likely.

When Steve Filson entered the race with backing from the DCCC, it became clear at least to me that a primary showdown was likely going to eventually happen. If the grassroots wanted any say at all in who the democratic candidate would be, if they were going to want someone with some actual grassroots support, with strong progressive-democratic principles; a primary showdown was going to be the only way for the grassroots to be stand up and be heard. I still believe this to be true, while it's not necessarily good for democrats on the whole, it's the democratic process, and I believe in it, and I believe that we will end up with the best candidate after the people get to choose, even if it means waisting some money and resources on infighting. It could send a message to the establishment, the dccc, the dlc, the dnc, democracy for America, and others that the people of the 11th congressional district want to choose their candidate, are paying attention, and are active in our democracy.

Now the field seems to be widening. Say No to Pombo, a good blog on Pombo and the race to unseat him is now reporting that Margee Ensign (is) likely to enter (the) race.

That would be yet another better choice then Filson, who is now raking in big money from as a result of his dccc, dlc, washington connections, and it would force him to perhaps spend some of it on the primary race. Assuming the announced candidates stay in the race, Ensign would join Jerry McNerney, who I am supporting, Scott Chacon, who while running on strong principles, and having a nice looking website, isn't raising any money, and of course Steve Filson, who the DCCC endorsed but didn't endorse, who proudly links to the dlc (my favorate group of corporatists in moderates clothing), and who is the annointed establishment candidate to replace Pombo with Pombo-lite.

While pombo may enjoy seeing the usual Democratic circular firing squad in action, this time locally, atleast we have a very good possibility of coming out with a progressive candidate in the end, a true alternatve to Pombo's now famous lack of ethics problems, charges of corruption, conflicts of interests, and generally anti-environment, anti-labor, pro-big business policies and actions. And let's not forget Pombo isn't out of the clear for a primary show-down himself from Pete McCloskey .

A progressive 11th.

This blog is dedicated to a progressive 11th congressional district in California, the House seat currently held by Congressman Richard Pombo.

Pombo's many conflicts of interest, ethics problems, and lack of accomplishment despite being a powerful Congressman, present an opportunity for Democrats and progressives to pick up this house seat, and perhaps restore some representation and dignity to the 11th congressional district and our house seat.

Unfortunately, despite the opportunity for progressive change locally, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee decided to take it upon them selves to annoint an establishment approved candidate. They did this without regard for the democratic party grassroots, the primary system, and the democratic process it's self.

Jerry McNerney, a progressive candidate who ran in 2004 against Pombo came closer then anyone else has previously to beating pombo, and that despite a last minute, flawed, and under-funded campaign. He did this without the DCCC, and with grassroots support. Since then his campaign learned from their mistakes, and has never truly stopped, nor did his local grassroots support. This is where McNerney has an advantage over Filson, he actually has a grassroots and experience in a political campaign. Filson may be able to raise hundreds of thousands quickly from his Washington, DCCC, DLC, and business sources, but you can't buy a grassroots. The grassroots is vollunteers, the grassroots is who decides primaries, the grassroots is people involved in democracy.

We have an opportunity, a vulnerable congressman and republican majority, and a strong progressive candidate who will hold Pombo and power accountable represent us, and restore dignity, ethics, and honesty to a Washington now emersed in the same republican culture of corruption and cronyism that Tom Delay, Bill Frist, Duke Cunningham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lewis Libby, Tom Noe, Jack Abramoff, Karl Rove, George W. Bush, and local supporting crony Richard pombo have pioneered. With this opportunity the Democratic Party and it's voters have a choice, replace pombo with pombo-lite/republican-lite, or replace pombo wih a real alternative, a true progressive democrat like McNerney.

For a simple progressive blogger from withing the district, I find the choice rather simple, and as unfortunate as it is that our party didn't get it or care to ask local grassroots who they wanted, there is still time, and with our time, effort, and hard work, a progressive 11th is very much so possible.