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| Elections: Democrats Lose Everything They Could Lose; Break Even On Primaries |
| 2006-06-07 |
| A former Republican congressman narrowly beat his Democratic rival early Wednesday for the House seat once held by jailed Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a race closely watched as a possible early barometer of next fall's vote. Republican Brian Bilbray emerged victorious after a costly and contentious special election race against Democrat Francine Busby, a local school board member. With 90 percent of precincts reporting, Bilbray had 56,130 votes, or 50 percent. Busby trailed with 51,292 votes, or 45 percent. "I think that we're going back to Washington," Bilbray told cheering supporters. The race — one of dozens of contests Tuesday in eight states — was viewed by Democrats as an opportunity to capture a solidly Republican district and build momentum on their hopes to capture control of the House. Also in California, State Treasurer Phil Angelides narrowly beat Controller Steve Westly in the state's gubernatorial primary. He next faces GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who faced no credible opposition in his party's nomination. With 94 percent of precincts reporting, Angelides had 931,220 votes, or 48 percent, to Westly's 855,320 votes, or 44 percent. "You've given me a chance to fight for you, for the California of our dreams, and I will not let you down," Angelides said while his supporters chanted, "Go, Phil, go!" The race proved long on negative ads and short on excitement and attention, giving the Republican governor a timely lift as he publicly launches his re-election drive Wednesday. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #9 The MSM may be focusing on Dubya's dubious alged declines in ratings but the message is clear that, however imperfectly or defective, mainstream America is majorily or overwhelmingly for the GOP-Conservative agenda, and the RINO CINO Federalists/Constitutionalists/ Americans/Westernists/Democratists-in-Name-Only DemoLefties know it. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-06-07 23:40 |
| #8 Arnold will do fine. Bilbray will do your district fine as well. I grew up in Chula Vista when he was at IB (mayor)/ County Supervisor. He's a good man. She was an empty skirt trying not to tell you the truth. Good results. I've got Duncan Hunter and happy with that |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-06-07 21:36 |
| #7 "GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who faced no credible opposition in his party's nomination." He is not getting much in the way of credible endorsement, either. |
| Posted by: Fordesque 2006-06-07 21:11 |
| #6 Regarding the 50th district. That's my district and I think Busby lost because of the immigration issue. It brought out voters, especially when she was caught with that idiot comment that hinted illegals could vote. I'm pissed at the Republicans now but that doesn't mean I'm gonna let her represent me. There is spite and there is stupid. The real question is what happens in Nov. Bilbray will have no Republican competition and there will be a lot of time for Busby's "you don't need papers to vote" comment to sink in and find its way into campaign commercials. There will also be little reason for either party to turn out unless there is a ballot or measure I'm unaware of. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2006-06-07 15:18 |
| #5 Old Jerry was a better and more conservative mayor of Oakland than anything on offer there. Which isn't saying much, I know, but you have to give him his due. |
| Posted by: buwaya 2006-06-07 15:15 |
| #4 Make Reiner pay back the tax money he used to get that pig on the ballot. Totally illegal. |
| Posted by: mojo 2006-06-07 12:30 |
| #3 Jerry Brown, the former California governor, presidential candidate and current Oakland mayor, won the Democratic primary for attorney general God! Talk about "The Thing That Wouldn't Leave"! Jee-zus! Hollywood director Rob Reiner was the leading backer of a measure in California to create a $2.4 billion universal preschool program, which went down to defeat with only 39 percent of voters supporting it. Sorry, Meathead... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2006-06-07 12:11 |
| #2 Today's debate topic: Kos is really Karl Rove's most effective operative, since every single candidate he backs gets whacked in the elections. Discuss. |
| Posted by: Desert Blondie 2006-06-07 11:56 |
| #1 I did some checking on the 50th this morning and the total vote was right about 60/40% R/D and that is the demographic breakdown of that district. The Republican had to compete with some other challengers that siphoned off some votes but not enough for the Democrat to win. So after the a HUGE MSM campaign, millions of dollars, and lots of accusations the Democrats in the 50th District moved the peg NOWHERE. Bilbray ran an anti-Illegals and Busby ran on an anti-Bush campaign. My read is that Bush (and the Republicans) is not that disenchanted with the voters or at the very least the voters don’t think that Democrats are the answer. On a better note Arnold will crush Angelides in November; this guy is all about raising taxes and “Turning California around.” If he means the economic BOOM and large surpluses in the treasury then he will lose big. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2006-06-07 11:41 |