CD-49: Issa's Coronation

Darrell Issa has been a tough fighter against the Obama Administration, from investigations into Operation Fast and Furious to the IRS abuses and Benghazi.

Instead of making the stance based on principle, Issa explained to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about his rejection of the pork-laden Superstorm Sandy Bill: "This is what my constituents want".

Just take one look at his district:

It is no surprise why Issa can play a strong fiscal hawk stance and resist every liberal encroachment of the Obama Administration. With a 44% GOP registration compared to a paltry 20% for Dems plus wide margins of support for the 2010 GOP gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman and US Senate candidate Carly Fiorina, the voting trends remain strong Republican and conservative.

Darrell Issa

I approve of Issa's work on the House Oversight Committee,  but let us recognize some facts: like any politician, Issa is in the business of getting reelected.

Not to be cynical or displace any respect for Rep. Issa, he represents a safe seat in South Orange County and North San Diego County.

During the 2013 shutdown, Politico published a poll which suggested that Issa was in trouble, with a slim margin of voters disapproving of his actions in Congress.

Consider that the mainstream media would stop at nothing to make Republicans look back. Conservative countermedia has pushed back at this liberal propaganda bias.

Issa even floated an immigration bill which would grant illegal immigrant youth a pathway to citizenship. He later pulled the attempt.

Issa then took a risk by endorsing liberal Republican Neel Kashkari for Governor instead of Tea Party conservative Tim Donnelly.

I did not approve of his endorsement for Kashkari, but that does not mean I want to throw him out of office, either.

Dave Peiser

On June 3rd, the Chairman won 61% of the vote, while the next challenger, Democrat Dave Peiser, won a laughable 28%. The combined Democratic vote does not even touch 40%.

This year, like many others before, Issa will enjoy another coronation as the House Rep for the South OC and North SD voters. He fights for us in Washington, and these efforts deserve recognition.

CD-30: Is GOP Mark Reed Delusional? (Or Will He Get Into This?!)

Conservative Republican Mark Reed had the name ID in the new 30th Congressional District, which moderate Republican Pablo Kleinman needed in order to enter the run-off and challenge Democratic incumbent Brad Sherman.

Kleinman spent heavily and he still lost to Mark Reed, who relied on this prior campaigns and the strong name ID that developed: "Brad Sherman spent $26 a vote. I spent 22 cents."

Conservative all the way, one could say.

The background on this race may help Reed during this election cycle, too.

In 2012, 30 year Democratic veteran Howard Berman fought a bitter general election battle for the new 30th, which included 40% of Berman's former district and 60% of Sherman's.

Berman was a Washington DC politician from way back, and his ties to national politics were so strong, that his efforts abroad diminished his chances at home all the more.

Despite the endorsements of every Democratic Congressman, including the now-retiring Henry Waxman, and major Hollywood names like Barbara Streisand, Berman failed to turn out the vote in his favor.

Democrats in the Valley and DC are still bitter about the outcome. Moderate Republican Susan Shelley's near-win in special election 2013 demonstrates the partisan overlap of West Valley Democrats fed up with Sacramento taxation and spending, waste and fraud, and now a disturbing trend of corruption.

The frustration with Sacramento can play into the Congressional race, too.

In comes Mark Reed.

Mark Reed

Campaigning against Sherman in 2010, when the liberal pol still represented the former 27th Congressional District, Reed took in nearly 30% of the vote. In 2012, facing off against the two incumbent Democrats as well as three Republicans, Reed finished third, and Shelly fifth.

From those results, Reed makes the case that Republicans need to stand on their conservative social as well as fiscal principles, even if district voters trend otherwise.

"Conservatives care about fiscal issues and the Constitution. The government should not be involved in telling you how to live your life at all."

That argument deserves more consideration. A pro-life candidate should not shy away from sharing his or her values, which does not necessarily imply that the candidate will impose those values. For conservatives, the government should not be in the business of imposing personal beliefs to begin with.
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Back to the Berman-Sherman fight in 2012. The key issue was contact and communication between the two candidates and the voters.

Berman was a Washington fixture, well-known for his foreign policy experience and legislative advocacy on behalf of the entertainment industry. His focus in Congress cost him with constituents.

Brad Sherman was a local creature, paid attention to the voters, reached out to constituents, and thus he had a stronger presence in the district. The race was his to win.

Berman's desperation came through during the Pierce College debate, which almost got physical:

Berman: "He knows exactly what I'm talking. . .you see, he's either delusional. . .

Brad Sherman

Sherman blew up at the personal remark, finally grabbing Berman and growling: "You wanna get into this?"

The point of their disagreement? Which lawmaker was the first to introduce "DREAM Act" legislation, a liberal talking point which both agreed on (as much as just about everything else, which made the general election fight all the more contentious until the end)

The rancor has remained in the 30th, according to Mark Reed, who despite two prior losses, is convinced that with well-laid plans and structured out reach to all voters, regardless of party affiliation, he can ride the wave of voter discontent and carry this district out of Sherman's hands.

I want to agree, and there is plenty of evidence out there, in California as well as other liberal bastions, that Republicans can do quite well in majority Democratic districts.

"Valley residents are conservative", Reed assures me. When it comes to our own money, who isn't?

Recognizing the challenge of reaching out to all voters with less money than a well-funded liberal incumbent, Reed counts on his support from two prominent, Democrats attorneys in the region, along with growing outreach to other Democrats.

He has also formed strong ties with the former Democratic incumbent Howard Berman, who will lend his support (albeit no endorsement because of lobbyist ties) to Reed's campaign.

As for Sherman, previous experience with constituents may suggest that they are ready for a change, too. He has faced voter discontent time and again. In one meeting, he lashed out a constituent who challenged his credentials on Israel. In a town hall meeting at El Camino Charter High School, constituents interrupted him about the Affordable Care Act, which has not increased access to quality health care or affordable coverage. Voters also assailed the Congressman on the illegal immigration issue. While he claimed that the current laws were not working, audience members shouted him down: "You won't enforce them!"

Ouch!

Sherman is facing heavy blowback on Obamacare and immigration, key issues which Reed can capitalize on for an upset.

Still, bare statistics force us to ask: "Is Mark Reed delusional?"

Reed counters that he is in it to win it, and with clear plans to reach out to every voter, ignoring party affiliation, which has become less reliable or even relevant, Reed's prior experience, name recognition, clear and conservative platform, and bold agenda  may get him into Sherman's seat this November.

Graham vs. Cantor -- The Tea Party Influence

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor just lost his seat in a GOP primary the first seating House leader to lose his seat in a primary, ever.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor
Faced Major Upset, lost primary

Further south, embattled Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham coasted to victory in the June 10 primary, taking in 59% of the vote, thus avoiding a run-off and assuring his reelection in November.

Tea Party activists had targeted both Republicans because of their support for amnesty, but Graham survived while Cantor dived.

Why?

Cantor was too much into Washington leadership politics. He paid close attention to K Street, not VA-7's Main Street and attending problems.

Local conservatives in the Richmond, Virginia area complained that the Cantor campaign all but snubbed them.

Lindsey Graham

In contrast, US Senator Lindsey Graham, who has no meaningful leadership role in the US Senate, pays attention to his constituents and gets things done for them. They gladly repaid him the favor  for his services and reelected him.

Regarding the Tea Party opposition in both races. . .

Eric Cantor faced one primary challenger, and he underestimated him a little too much.

Graham had six primary challengers, so that conservative opponents and critics could not unify behind one candidate. Of course, Graham's $12 million war chest helped him a great deal to send a strong message throughout the state.

Compare this US Senate primary challenge with Mississippi, and one finds that incumbent Thad Cochran is stumbling more like Cantor. Cochran did not raise nearly enough money. He has rarely visited let alone reached out to his constituents, and Chris McDaniel is a strong dedicated opponent, as opposed to one of many in a splintered opposition, like the weak backlash against Graham.

Once again, when the Tea Party Movement, like an political activist group, unifies behind one candidate and stays on message, they can unseat unsavory incumbents.



Thad Cochran vs. Chris McDaniel

Jodi Ernst's success in the Iowa US Senate primary demonstrates this clearly, too, since both Establishment as well as Tea Party groups lined up behind her campaign. She is now polling nine points ahead of her Democratic challenger, who has already insulted Iowa farmers and looks poised to lose Democrat Tom Harkin's seat this November.

Lessons for insurgent conservatives:

1. Unify behind one candidate.

2. Coordinate finances and outreach

3. Pay attention to an incumbent's relationship with voters at home vs. his allegiance to Washington abroad. This dichotomy will determine whether the incumbent has a strong change of retaining or losing his seat.

Fung Up Front About Failures

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung

When Cranston Mayor Allan Fung came forward about a tragic event in his earlier years, I was really impressed.

When he was eighteen years old, he fell asleep while driving and killed a man.

What a terrible tragedy.

He was arrested, but never indicted, and the grieving family received a financial indemnity from the Fung family.

The Cranston Mayor acknowledged this terrible loss earlier this year, and he reached out the family to make peace regarding his run for Rhode Island Governor.

I applaud the Fung campaign for supporting their man in that difficult time.  I applaud the Block campaign for not making this personal tragedy a campaign issue, as well.

It must have been very difficult of the mayor to speak out about the issue, but as I have written before, Fung never hid this event. When running for Cranston City Council

Honesty and openness about past failures is crucial character trait from elected leaders, who all too often are less interested in representing their constituents, but instead focus on polishing their pride and brandishing their credentials.

Putting aside the controversy surrounding the Cranston Police Department, no matter whether Mayor Fung wins the GOP nomination or not to run for Rhode Island Governor, I hope that the voters at least take into account his honesty on this matter.

Not just the willingness to be open about failures, but let us hope that voters can demonstrate the grace to let bygones by just that.

Blockhead Commerical a Blockhead Move

I just saw the latest "Don't be a blockhead" commercial from the Allan Fung campaign.

Yes indeed, it was very clever.

There is nothing that should kill a Republican nominee's chances for statewide office like voting for President Obama, twice! That last scene, with the bearded Blockhead sticking a fork in a toaster was very funny, too.

Why would a Republican vote for a guy who voted for Obama, who bought what he was selling, so to speak?

Then again, in California, the very purple GOP nominee Neel Kashkari carried away the nomination in the primary (along with a lot of help from Establishment Republicans and a lot of his own money)

On another note, the Blockhead commercial was really dumb. If a Republican is planning for the long-term, he (or she) needs to focus on creating unity and consensus, not attacking potential general election supporters.

A Block supporter will see a commercial like this and go: "So, Fung and Co. think I am stupid because I did not support him in the primary?! Well. . "

Last time I checked, I don't see the Rhode Island Democratic gubernatorial nominees attacking voters, but instead focusing on the competing candidates.

The Fung campaign needs to reveal Block's record and Fung's record, then let the voters decide. Attacking voters is really dumb, something that only a blockhead would do.

CD-31: Dems Say: "Bye Bye, GOP!" -- Chabot Says: "We'll See!"

Congressman Gary Miller won reelection in 2012 in spite of redistricting, which put him into a majority Dem district for the first time in his political career.

In spite of the registration disadvantage, Miller faced off in the Top Two against another Republican, and handily won reelection.

With 2014 looming, and the certainty of a heavy election challenge to retain his seat, Miller opted to retire rather than fight again.

The prospects of two Republicans duking it out flailed last week. Redlands Mayor Peter Aguilar (the Democrat) will challenge Paul Chabot (the Republican), and for all intensive purposes, a Democrat may pick up this seat.

Peter Aguilar

Still, prior electoral results suggest a latent strain of conservative values exists in the district (Prop 8 passed by 65%), even though the seat registration swings +4 Dem.

Paul Chabot

Then again, President Obama did well in this district oin 2008, as did Jerry Brown in 2010, and those stats cannot be ignored.

I contacted the Paul Chabot campaign, and surprisingly enough, I got in touch with Paul directly.

Right away, the leading primary vote-getter  is more excited about this race than dejected:

About the Democratic registration edged, he qualified: "These are conservative, family oriented Democrats."

About his plans for turning out the vote and winning in November, Chabot claimed:

We will continue what we did during the primary. We picked up four percent of the Dem vote, without reaching out to any Democrats. These are not far-left liberals -- these are hard-working, middle of the road blue dog Democrats. That really excites me because my background is military and law enforcement, and I patrol many cities throughout this district.

Enthusiastic and committed are necessary conditions for a strong campaign, but are they sufficient for a winning strategy?

I love this challenge.

He cited a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee poll for this data.

He then shared his background:

I am listed as a military officer: thirteen years in the Navy, military agency office, tour in Iraq Joint special ops, naval reserves. This is the kind of challenge that the Republican party needs, that we can connect with these Moderate Democrats.  We just launched "Democrats for Chabot" with Bishop Ron Allen, President International Faith-Based Coalition.

Democrat Bishop Ron Allen
and Paul Chabot Supporter

About the amount of money he spent in the primary, Chabot guessed about $125, 000, while the second-place Democratic challenger spent $1,000,000

We were outspent 11 to 1.

With all that money, Aguilar slipped into the Top Two. With such a heavy money machine, who knows what the Democrats will do in the general election. . .

He related other factors which strengthen his changes of carrying this Democratic-leaning district:

Voters are getting the option to elect a military veteran and a family man.

He cited that CD-31 contains one of the highest concentration of military veterans. Why? There used to be a number of military bases in this area, including a large VA hospital in Loma Linda. The housing is more affordable in the Inland Empire compared to Los Angeles.

Chabot discussed his work for President Clinton (Presidential Fellow, Office of National Drug Control Policy) and Bush (Senior Advisor" Local State Law Enforcement and Drug Control Programs), which he argued can demonstrate to voters his ability to work on non-political issues.

About his political views Chabot describes himself as a Christian Conservative, pro-life Republican, suppports the Second Amendment, favors reducing taxes, government regulations, and encouraging small businesses to grow. For years, he stressed improving service to veterans, even before the VA scandals broke this year. He calls Obamacare "a train wreck", citing the terrible treatment of US veterans in government hospitals, but acknowledges that aside from a new President in 2016, he supports getting rid of the unpopular law piece by piece, starting with the individual mandate.

About immigration reform, he firmly declared that he is not in favor of amnesty, but is looking for a humane way to deal with immigration issue. In addition to securing the border, he wants to invest in solving the core problems of security and corruption which drive immigrants to flee their home countries.

About Marriage: I believe in one man and one woman. I am a Christian. I have friends who are gay - I have no objections to the unions.

Republicans could look at this district the same way that they view Senate District 16, now 14, which cherry farmer Andy Vidak won with a stable margin in 2013, and wide sweep this year. However, prior results for statewide and federal offices indicate that this state was not just a swing, but a seat which will more easily fall in place with the Dems.

For all intensive purposes, if Republicans rely primarily on  GOP Get Out the Vote in this district, then they might as well say "See You Later" and focus on more winnable districts. If they can tap into Chabot's enthusiasm, drum up support from Democratic voters, who tend conservative on key issues, then the most contested district in the country may not be so easily swayed to the Democratic Party, after all.

Time and money will answer many of these questions in the months to come.

CD-36: A Swing District No More?

After the June 3rd primary, some of the swing districts which California Republicans were targeted looked like better bets.

Another swing district, which could be dubbed the Democrats "Miller" seat, is now looking less likely to swing back to the GOP.



Congressional District 36, nestled right in the heart of the Inland Empire, at first looked like a pretty easy hold for Mary Bono Mack.

She ended up losing the seat by a slim margin, and she declined to run again for the seat.

Brian Nestande

In steps Assemblymember Brian Nestande, who has sparked the interest and gained the support from a number of prominent state and federal officials, including Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Vista, CA)

The June 3rd primary results for the 36th, however, suggest more of a fight for the Republican challenger than initially predicted:

Candidate		Votes	Percent
*	Raul Ruiz (Party Preference: DEM)	40,255	50.3%
	Ray Haynes (Party Preference: REP)	11,895	14.9%
	Brian Nestande (Party Preference: REP)	27,939	34.9%

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» Political Parties and Abbreviations

 

Even when combining both Republicans' final tally, the final sum still does not surpass the Democratic results.

 

Raul Ruiz

Democratic incumbent Raul Ruiz has played very strongly toward the center for his first term in office. Recognizing that his district remains majority Republican, he voted with Congressional Republicans a number of times during the 2013 government shutdown, including support for bills that would delay Obamacare or open up federal parks in spite of the federal impasse.

 

Because he broke with House minority leader Nancy Pelosi on several occasions, Ruiz has brandished credible independent credentials, and this stance against the party may have benefited him in the primary, and help him to keep his seat in 2014.

 

If Nestande intends on recapturing the 36th for the GOP, he will have to tie Ruiz as much as possible to his Washington affiliation with ultra-liberal Nancy Pelosi. South Carolina Congressional candidate Mark Sanford debate a Nancy Pelosi cut-out every he campaigned, instead of focusing on Democratic challenger Susan Colbert-Busch.

 

Demonstrating that no matter how he votes, Ruiz' presence is one more vote for Pelosi as a minority leader or even Speaker, Nestande can argue that Ruiz by his affiliation supports the same lady who declared "We have to pass the bill to see what's in it" and other noteworthy flubs. Her outrageous votes and remarks demonstrate a Washington elitist mentality out-of-step with Riverside County conservative values.

 

Why would they send to Washington one more Pelosi supporter? the Republican challenger could argue.

 

Following the June 3rd, primary, though, Nestande has nothing to be confident about, and much cause for concern.

Jesus is The Truth

Sometimes, there are posts on my "As He Is, So Are We Ministries" Blog that are so important, I post them for others to read here.

 

I do not seek to needlessly offend, but the Truth which has set me free is the Truth which I wish to share with more people as much as possible.

 

Thanks again for all who read and share. -- ACS

 

Truth is something which rests outside of us. Truth is a Person manifested to the world through Word of God.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 9John 14: 6)

Jesus was either telling the truth, or he was a massive fraud. To call Him a good man, or a great teacher, or an inspiring leader is fundamentally meaningless in the face of this bold statement.

Either He is the Truth, or He is not -- and everyone person on this earth must accept this Man, or rather God-Man as the Truth or reject Him completely.
Researchers, philosophers, thinkers, and debaters have assailed the word of God, yet the Bible has a standard which has not failed to withstand scrutiny, attacks, and slights.

The archeology of our times as well as other major discoveriess in hard sciences have affirmed a number of truths already revealed in the Bible.

Furthermore, while our minds love to speculate, wonder, question, and fight -- the fact remains that either some exists as true, or it does not.

There is no dividing or compromising this rigid simplicity.

Either there is one God, or there is not. Either there is a Creator, or there is not.

And our capacity to recognize a full, final, and forever Power is greater than any "Higher Power".

Right away, "Higher Power" implies that there is still a power greater -- and for too many people, that power is alcohol. The massive failure rates confirm this reality.

So, truth -- and our understanding of God - cannot be subjective. It cannot, for God is not subject to us, but rather everything is subject to Him:

"19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)

And also

"15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1: 15-20)

In Revelation, Jesus reveals Himself:

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1: 8)

and then again:

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22: 13)

Either you believe Him or you do not believe Him.

This Man, the Truth, the Word made Flesh, is not an idle thought, but a powerful certain, He who has been from the beginning (1 John 2: 12-14).

You and I are not called to believe on something make-believe, but to believe on Him who made us, and wishes to make us more than we can possibly understand.

This Truth, this Person, is not created within us, but lives outside of us and when we believe on Him, we receive His life within us in turn.

Can Carr's "Elan Vital" Win CD-33?

élan vital:
 the vital force or impulse of life; especially :  a creative principle held by [French philosopher ]Bergson to be immanent in all organisms
The June 3rd primary to replace forty-year incumbent Henry Waxman ended, somewhat surprisingly, with a Republican taking in the most votes, followed by an incumbent Democratic state senator whose current district represents about 80% of the Congressional seat.

Gang Prosecutor Elan Carr

With strong organization and name recognition by way of targeted advertisements, plus a widespread fan base throughout the United States, Republican Iraqi War Veteran and gang prosecutor Carr got the key in the ignition and raced out to win the top vote for the June 3rd primary in the 33rd Congressional District.

But will his campaign fall of a cliff in the face of the 44-28 Democratic registration advantage? Let us not forget that the independent vote in the Santa Monica Bay drifts left, and helped Governor Jerry Brown and President Barack Obama carry solid wins in prior elections.

State Senator Ted Lieu

Election year 2014, however, is different for a few reasons. The turnout will be predictably lower, with no Presidential candidates at the top of the ticket. Because liberal Republican Neel Kashkari won the GOP gubernatorial nomination, the top Republican statewide contender won't jar with Carr's socially liberal views, nor will necessarily alienate him or force him on the defense against this and other statewide candidates. Despite concerns that a lukewarm moderate would water down Republican turn-out, Republicans in general vote more than Democrats generally, in any case.

Comments on Patch and local activists have also revealed disgust or frustration with Senator Lieu, whom they have indicted for nanny-state interventionism as  well as political opportunism. From legislation on abandoned ships and puppy mills, to his defense of bears (yet voting to "Let them eat shark-fin soup). Lieu has angered liberal and conservative activists alike. Besides, an endorsement from retiring (actually, retreating) Henry Waxman should motivate anyone harmed or frustrated by the Affordable Care Act to vote for "the other guy".

Centrist Democrat Matt Miller, former LA City Controller Wendy Greuel, and even liberal Independent Marianne Williamson have refused to endorse Lieu, too. That's not good for Lieu.

Still, that outstanding registration slant is discouraging. How will Carr capitalize on voter angst (or anger) against Washington, as well as tip key Democratic votes into his column? An observant Jew with connections on the Westside, Carr could swing some of Greuel's votes toward himself, in large part since Lieu's base is primarily the South Bay, which is more conservative, and thus more likely to support the Republican.

Bill Bauer commented in the  Santa Monica Daily Press:
Ted Lieu isn’t the politician I want representing me on federal matters
Among his concerns: Lieu's opposition to the bill to end de-finning sharks; Lieu's focus on only Santa Monica airport to end pollution, rather than investigating other airports in his district. There was also Lieu's ideological attacks against Home Depot for pulling commercials from TV Show "All American Muslim."

Bauer forgot to mention Lieu's attempt to triple the state car tax, as well as his over-long silence regarding a convicted felon and two indicted colleagues in the state senate. Lieu did vote against a referral to delay action on felon Roderick Wright, but he issued no statement nor pressed for integrity on the matter.
Yet again, voters are partisan, and not likely to vote for "the other guy" just because. If Carr can maintain an upbeat message focused on jobs and education, while increasing his name ID and offering substantial policies which will not offend liberals while energizing conservatives, Carr's élan vital will translate into an electoral victory on November 4th.

33rd Congressional District

A Republican Upset in CD-43? Anything is Possible

Rep. Maxine Waters

Can a Republican defeat incumbent liberal Democrat Maxine Waters?

Anything is possible, but probability is crucial to a politician getting the votes to win an election.

Waters represents a seat with a 59% Democratic registration, followed by an evenly-split Republican-Independent affiliation. Still, Decline to State voters slightly outnumber Republicans in the district, and the eastern party of Torrance remains a more Democratic (although conservative) stronghold. Why else did Jane Harman manage to retain her Congressional seat for two decades while holding a moderate voice on key issues?

In prior decades, Waters' district encompassed primarily South Los Angeles. Now she represents LAX, Westchester (heavily Republican), along with more conservative Torrance and Lomita.

For the first time in her political career, she has had to tone down her heated conflict-theory rhetoric. With a majority-Latino seat, plus white and Asian minorities to consider, the long-standing African-American activist Democrat had to reach out to all voters, not just focus on radical race politics.

For the first in her political career, she advertised her campaign in the local press as well as with posters and lawn signs. Even driving through heavily Democratic Hawthorne, CA, one would find Waters' fliers and signs throughout.



Congressional District 43 -- Maxine Waters

In 2012, she faced off against another Democrat, Bob Flores, who earned 40% of the vote after the primary. He practically gave up the race after the primary, having no money or name ID to reach out to voters. Waters swept the seat with 70% of the vote in November (with help from President Obama's Organizing for Action push a few weeks before Election Day).

This election cycle, Democrat Maxine is facing off against former Dem-turned-GOP John Wood,  a Jordan Downs resident with ties to the community and a youthful ambition tempered with clear yet amenable rhetoric.

Reaching out to all voters, speaking in churches throughout the district, Wood is running a positive campaign, albeit with very little campaign cash, to get out the vote for a new voice to represent South LA in Washington.

Following the June 3rd primary, Wood took in a respectable 32% of the vote, not as good as Democrat Bob Flores in 2012, but compelling for a Republican of any stripe running in a heavily Democratic district.

Wood must have won Democratic and Independent votes to get that turnout, since his final results exceed the total number of registered Republicans, and more than likely not all Republicans voted to begin with.

Whatever it took to get registered Dems to pull for a GOP candidate, Wood needs to find out why and how to transform that small victory into a wider margin of support come November.

Anything is possible in politics, since the only poll and tally that counts is the final vote in November.  Republican Cherry farmer Andy Vidak won in a two-to-one Democratic district in 2013 and won again in  2014. Voters in the 43rd Congressional District are reliably conservative on social issues, since Prop 8, defending traditional marriage, passed by ten points in the region.

Capitalizing on the conservative cultural views with a positive message of job growth and economic recovery, a Republican with strong financial backing can compete effective in the district. Will John Wood have the necessary means to make his case to voters who have traditionally supported Maxine Waters for so many years?

With strong turnouts in Republican areas like Westchester (where Republican LA Mayoral candidate Kevin James did remarkably well) along with heavy voting in more conservative Lomita, Torrance, and the LA Harbor area, Anything is possible. A calculated ground game with time and resources must combine with proper, targeted outreach to convince long-standing Democratic constituencies, like the African-American and Latino vote, that their values are better represented by a Republican.

John Wood and Family