Machado considers a run for Congress against Pombo

[davidinalameda]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/13057716p-13903383c.html

State Sen. Mike Machado is considering a run for Congress only months after winning a $9.9 million campaign, California's most expensive legislative contest of all time.
Democratic leaders said they believe Rep. Richard Pombo, a Tracy Republican, could be vulnerable enough to warrant a challenge from Machado in the Republican-leaning congressional district that spans four counties between the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

But Republicans have dismissed such talk as part of a coordinated Democratic political strategy to attack GOP congressional leaders such as Pombo in their home districts. Pombo chairs the House Resources Committee.

[demosincebirth]

1. I hope the hell he runs and beats that anti-worker prick!

That district is sort of a "bell wheather" area for us taking over the House.

[mitchtv]

2. anti enviroment as well

He hates nature; wants to gut the endangered species act.

[Xithras]

3. I don't think Machado can win

That disrict was designed to be a Republican "safe" area, and the Rethugs have a clear majority (look at the map below...his district is gerrymandered all to hell to keep him in that seat). Pombo is pretty good at mobilizing his base when he has a real challenger, so unless you can get that base to stay home, his numeric advantage gurantees him a win.

[jamesinca]

4. One at a time

I think Radanovich in the 19th, then we work on Nunes in the 21st and Pombo up north. One at time, and it can be done. Expose Pombo for the liar that he is and keep hammering at him. He did lie when he stated his land was not usable because of the San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat designation being put on his land. His property never had that label and he was allowed to use his land. I think Radanovich is vulnerable and if he goes that will break up the repugs in the San Joaquin valley. Get Cardoza off of his knees or out of the party and we will be better off.

[Califooyah Operative]

5. in my opinion

I think machado can do it, and has a better chance then mathews or anyone else against pombo. Let's not forget mcnerny with little money and a flawed campaign did decent against pombo, better then anyone previously, and people from the bay area continue to move into tracy for example, which went to kerry last time, and is becoming more liberal, now pombo is in trouble, he's come under the same delay/abramoff cloud as others, and has become vulnerable. Machado can do it in my opinion and I'd be very pleased if he ran.