“It’s a safe seat yes? Let them shoot.”
If we’re talking about two GOP candidates, sure, let them fight it out. But remember California’s retarded (and IMHO unconstitutional) jungle primary syatem: if there are three Republicans running, and two Democrats run, we really need to narrow it to two Republicans prior to the jungle primary so as to avoid the possibility of two Democrats splitting 42% and finishing first and second, thus keeping the GOP out of the general election. That’s how Republican Gary Miller was able to hold the CA-31 even though Romney only got 40% there—three or four RATs split the vote and Miller and another Republican finished first and second. So we have to be careful not to commit a similar mistake.