Newsweek finds out that Kyle “Dusty” Foggo and Brent Wilkes are friends.  Who knew?

It is a bit of a stretch. Most of the Wilkes’ bribes go to politicians, from guys like Randy Cunningham, up through more important Republicans such as Tom Delay, Jerry Lewis, Porter Goss, John Doolittle, and on right to the top of the party – George Bush. Yet, Foggo may be the thread that unravels Republican corruption all the way to the top.

But the agency’s problems may only get worse, and one reason is Foggo. Federal investigators are looking at the ties of the CIA’s “Ex Dir” to a congressional bribery scandal. Foggo was a high-school football teammate and college buddy of Brent Wilkes’s, a defense contractor who was identified as an unindicted co-conspirator when former San  Diego congressman and ex-Navy air ace Randy (Duke) Cunningham pleaded guilty. The CIA has acknowledged that its internal watchdog is investigating if Foggo helped steer any contracts to Wilkes. According to three sources who declined to be identified commenting on the details of a government probe, there are also indications that the Feds are interested in Foggo’s role in the wider Cunningham bribery scandal. Recent news reports have alleged that Wilkes (who has not been charged with any crime) sponsored poker parties at the Watergate and other expensive Washington hotels, and that he may have been involved in a scheme to provide prostitutes to the disgraced Cunningham.

More on the Repulican’s ATM follows.

Brent Wilkes is a bit more than “a defense contractor.”  Wilkes is a one man defense conglomerate, operating a dizzying array of companies that appear designed for a single purpose, to scam money from the defense and intelligence apparatus of the United States.

Wilkes apparently is big in the transportation industry as well.  At least in the transportation of Republican politicians.  Wilkes’ Group W Transportation operation appears to have been designed to allow Wilkes to ferry key Republican leaders around in the style to which his bribes and contribution had made them accustomed.

Yet Group W, owned by Poway defense contractor Brent Wilkes, has provided personal air transportation for some high-profile passengers — including House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who has flown on the jet to such locations as Idaho for a hunting trip and Hawaii for a golf tournament.

Brent Wilkes is also a major financial contributor to Republican politicians. Aside from convicted felon Randy “Duke” Cunningham, Wilkes made substantial contributions to California Representatives John Doolittle (CA-4), Jerry Lewis (CA-41) and Duncan Hunter (CA-52).

But, wait there’s more Wilkes largess to politicians.  Wilkes it turns out is also a Bush/Cheney Pioneer – someone who raised at least $100,000 in contributions to the President’s 2004 campaign. In this, Wilkes is on a list of just 327 other dedicated fund raisers. In fact the first name on this list is Jack Abramoff. Distinguished company for Wilkes.

Wilkes is also a a key contributor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger rewarded Wilkes with posting to two prestigious public boards. Postions that he asked Wilkes to give up when his involvement with Cunningham became public.

Cunningham was the most obvious and illegal of Wilkes bribery enterprises. In may turn out that Foggo will be as egregious and illegal a case as was Cunningham’s, but it is important to remember that Wilkes was what The Left Coaster called “An ATM for the GOP.” His largess was directed at anyone who could help him continue to loot the U.S Government and steal the money of American taxpayers.

Cindy and Antonio

It was expected, and it happened: the Mayor has picked Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez over City Councilman Alex Padilla as his choice for the next State Senator for District 20 in the San Fernando Valley.

Is this a significant development?  Arguably, yes.  The mayor needs every ally in City Council he can get in order to pass a city budget and to take control of the school district.  The political capital that Villaraigosa has put on the line adds substance to the symbolism of his endorsement.  His endorsement also adds significantly to the profile of Montanez’ campaign, which, if judged by street sign presence in the district alone, could use some more visibility.

The race in the 20th is possibly the most important one in the state this year aside from the gubernatorial.  The low-octane performance of both candidates for the Democratic candidate for governor, unfortunately, threatens to drag down the electorate’s interest in every other contest as well.  Maybe Villaraigosa’s star power can bring some much needed attention to the San Fernando Valley, at least among Southern California Democrats.

Now if only the mayor would take a firm stand on immigration — then he’d be all over the national airwaves, and could command some serious attention with his endorsements.

(Anybody live in CA-42? This seat currently belongs to Gary Miller, a proud co-author of the Racist/Nativist HR 4437. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

When Charlie Wilson’s campaign couldn’t get 50 signatures to file in OH-06 I thought that the Repubs would have only token opposition. WILSON GOT ON THE BALLOT THROUGH A PRIMARY WRITE IN CAMPAIGN.

When our candidate withdrew from NJ-04 less than a week AFTER filing closed I thought the Repub incumbent would go unopposed. A REPLACEMENT CANDIDATE GOT ON THE BALLOT.

When our candidate didn’t file in PA-09 I thought that the Repub incumbent would go unopposed. A WRITE IN CANDIDATE SURFACED.
When our write in candidate bailed out in PA-09 I thought that the Repub incumbent would go unopposed. ANOTHER WRITE IN CANDIDATE SURFACED.

So what the hell is wrong with California’s 42nd Congressional District??????????

Below the Fold………………………

How is it that we can fill every district in states like Utah, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia and Kentucky but we can’t fill a lousy district like CA 42.

Here are the facts:
CA 42
Counties – parts of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino.
Bush 2004/ Kerry 2004 – 62/37
Repub incumbent 2004 vote – 68%
Registered Repubs/ Dems – 171133/99356

Boxer won San Bernardino in 2004. Boxer and Kerry both won LA county but not the relevant parts of LA county.
Congressional District Map

As you can see a fairly Repub district but not overwhelmingly so and yet CA 42 joins AL 06, MS 03 and TX 11 as the ONLY districts where filing/nominations have closed and there is no Democratic candidate. Let me tell you that the other 3 are all districts and states that are much less Dem friendly than CA 42.

So what the hell is going on???

A write in candidate needs 1000 write in votes at the Primary on June 6th to get the party line for the General in November. So come on Kossacks find a candidate. We have write in candidates running in PA 9 and PA 15 so why not CA 42?

As Howard Dean enunciates so well we must contest EVERY district. Right now we are contesting more Districts (420) than the GOP did in 1994 (419). How cool is that? And we will end up with Dems running in at least 425 out of the 435. (and we might yet get to 430!)

So do YOU know anyone in CA 42.

Come on email State Party Chairman Torres and the County Chairs too!

Art Torres
LA County Chair
Orange County Chair
San Bernardino County Chair

Let’s get a write in candidate here so that Gary Miller doesn’t get a free pass!