Newspaper editorializes against Denham’s anti-rail stance

by Brian Leubitz

California’s High Speed Rail system isn’t very popular among California Republicans. Or Republicans in general. But one thing you don’t often see: a Congressman telling the federal government to move money from his own district to another part of the country. That’s just what Jeff Denham has done:

“Given that there are over 11.4 million Amtrak riders and over 200 million commuters that use the Northeast Corridor every year, it would be an investment in an area where we have proven ridership,” Denham said at a hearing at the site of the future Moynihan Station in New York, which is intended to replace the cramped Penn Station across the street…(McClatchy)

Now, as Robert pointed out in the HSR Blog, this doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition. The federal government can provide funds for both projects. But this call to move money out of California also means moving jobs out of California. That’s what the Bee thought improper:

In the Central Valley — where unemployment averages more than 15%, more than 40% in some cities — the project would bring jobs and better connections with the coastal economies. It would relieve traffic congestion on roads and at airports.

But Denham’s having none of it. He laments that construction on the first 29 miles of track between Madera and Fresno will start soon.

Denham’s constituents and residents across the state should demand more from their congressman. He should be representing the Central Valley, California and the transportation interests of the nation — not pitting the Northeast region against all others.(FresnoBee)

An interesting stance for a Congressman with a marginal district, and at least one formidable opponent.  

Here’s something I thought I’d never say: I have to go to court to defend calling myself an “astronaut”.

Last week, Sacramento Republicans with ties to Rep. Denham filed a lawsuit claiming I cannot refer to myself as an “astronaut” on the ballot. That’s no joke – and on Thursday, I’ll have to send a team to fight back against the same old Washington political games Denham and his pals at the CA GOP are playing.

I consider myself so lucky that I was able to go from being a son of San Joaquin Valley migrant workers to an astronaut. It was my American Dream – and I won’t let these right-wing Republicans take it from me.

That’s why I’ve directed my campaign and our attorneys to vigorously defeat these outrageous charges.

Thursday is the day we head to court and make our voices heard that the politics of Washington will fail because the American people are sick and tired of them. I will defend my record, my honor, and the title I earned by launching into space in August of 2009. Will you take a stand and defend our campaign today?

This lawsuit will cost us $20,000 to defeat. Help us cover the cost by giving $5 or more here >>

Thanks for everything you do,

– Jose

Prop 14 has made some crazy bedfellows. Like today, when I was reading my news feeds and I was forced to stop, look around, and say, well, thank you Jeff Denham:

Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, transferred $50,000 last week from his Senate campaign account to a committee to oppose Proposition 14.

As The Bee has reported, the very vocal opposition to the “open primary” proposal has yet to show significant signs of life when it comes to raising cash to back a campaign. The California Republican Party has launched a No on 14 Web site, but has yet to contribute to one of four accounts opened to oppose the measure, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State.(SacBee)

Of course, the Governor hasn’t been sitting back on this one. This crazy system is one of his key “reform” measures that he’s been targeting. At last check, he’s plopped down over $3 million bucks into the campaign to get this thing passed.  

So, on this one, Jon Fleischman, the rightwing blogger at Flash Report, and I are in complete agreement. This will lead to a less functional government, not a more functional one.  It strips the parties of their right to choose for themselves who will be their standard bearer. And it will create additional costly fights within the Democratic Party.  If it was applied in 2008, Democrats would have faced 6 Dem-on-Dem general elections, while there would be only one R-on-R general.

So, thank you Jeff Denham. Excuse me, I need to take a shower now.

He’s (maybe) BAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK:

Now, the 48-year-old Republican is thinking about a return to Congress – in George Radanovich’s 19th Congressional District.

“I started getting phone calls last night,” Pombo said today. “Obviously, I haven’t made my mind up on it at all, but it is something that I am considering.” (Fresno Bee)

Now, don’t expect Jeff Denham to simply stand aside for Pombo, and Rep. Radanovich likely won’t change his endorsement. After all, Pombo does have some strikes against him. He’s a bit of a carpetbagger in this seat, and oh yeah, there are the ethics issues still clouding his record.  I’m not sure that voters are really looking to find somebody who has a history with Abramoff.

That being said, Pombo’s crazy record, and possible renewal of seniority within the Republican caucus, could be a draw to Republican voters.  Don’t count him out yet. Maybe SayNoToPombo needs to make a comeback.

George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) has just announced his retirement from the House, and already the Republicans are lining up to take a crack at his seat. You can read Radanovich’s full retirement speech at the flash report.

Of course, one of those seeking to replace him is Sen. Jeff Denham.  Denham is termed out in 2010, and has been wandering the state looking for a place to land. He was running for LG, but switched to run for Assembly. But now it seems he’s managed to secure Radanovich’s endorsement and begins as the frontrunner.

But, wait — there’s more!  There is already a frontrunner for the GOP nomination (only in politics are front runners in place before retirements are announced) — apparently Radanovich has drafted as his hopeful replacement State Senator Jeff Denham.  Yes, you read that right.  Apparently Denham (pictured left), who just a few weeks ago departed from the race for Lieutenant Governor to seek the Republican nomination for a safe GOP Assembly seat centered in Stanislaus County (the Modesto area) will now be shifting his sights, instead, on a bid for a rare open GOP Congressional seat.

Radanovich will announce that he called Denham and asked him to consider running, and he will be doing everything he can to see Denham secure the GOP nomination in June, and win the general election for his seat come November. (FlashReport)

Hurray! Jeff Denham finds a place to land, and maybe this is really, for reals now, the race he is going to run in 2010.  Hopefully, his campaign lit just says “Denham 2010.” All this flip-flopping must be pure gold for his printer.

Given Denham’s past antics, you’d expect him to be a lot more outspoken and visible than Radanovich has been during his career.  But, of course, there are a couple of elections before he can be sworn in. The district went 52% to McCain, so it’s a tough district for Democrats, but I’m sure there will be some sort of campaign to make Denham earn it at the very least. And you never know, we might pull off an upset.

So, remember how John Garamendi was elected to Congress out of the LG’s office? Well, that election will change the course of many others. Interestingly, many of the dominos are falling in the Fresno area, far from the Congressional district. A rough guide from the Fresno Bee:

The first domino to fall was Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s selection of state Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, as his nominee to replace former lieutenant governor John Garamendi, who left the post when he was elected to Congress.

*** *** ***

Denham’s options grew last week when Assembly Member Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, announced he was running for the state Senate seat of Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, who is leaving after his first term. Some Valley Republicans want Denham to remain in the Legislature and think he would be a good match to replace Berryhill, the source close to Denham said. Denham would have to move however, because he lives just outside the district. (Fresno Bee

Now, much of this is to do with some hand-wringing in the Republican party over a primary fight for the LG race. But whether Denham runs or not, Sam Aanestad is still in the LG race, and has not indicated whether he would be willing to step aside for Arnold’s handpicked LG, Abel Maldonado. If there is a single conservative candidate in the Republican primary, Maldo is in even worse position. A split vote amongst conservatives could allow St. Abel to cruise through. If there’s only one conservative, Abel is in for more of a dogfight. Of course, Arnold would like to clear the field for Abel, but it isn’t like Arnold has much sway in the GOP these days.

You have to love (or not) the twisted game of musical chairs in Sacramento these days.