That's accurate. Thanks for correcting that figurative representation.
For my part, I'd rather not see McClintock run for another public office under the Republican banner until Sundheim is gone. Yes, its a safe district but Sundheim has a large arsenal at his disposal with which to regularly tarnish the Senator's image and, if necessary, derail McClintock during the primary. Sundheim can place almost any candidate in that district and has no great need for McClintock.
I'd rather like McClintock able to freely voice his eleoquent opposition to the policies of the Schwarzenegger/Nunez cabal over the next two years, not muzzled by the Sundheim/New Majority purse or Schwarzenegger's bully pulpit.
We could play woulda, shoulda, coulda all day long but it's my considered opinion that the Sundheim/New Majority refusal to support McClintock financially and Schwarzenegger's last minute support of Garamendi made the difference in the election outcome. That McClintock came as close as he did without significant financial support from his own party and against the will of its highest elected official is a testament to the universal appeal of a straight talking, consistent politician.
Sundheim will be gone in January/February. That's when we elect the new chairman -- probably Ron Nehring of San Diego County. Ron is a protege of Grover Norquist.
Thousand Oaks / Simi Valley is Tom's home base. He has the name recognition and support and fundraising ability to get elected to anything he wants in this area. But since he's termed-out for Assembly and will be termed-out for State Senate in 2008, his only political options are Congress or another run at a statewide office. He's lost three times running statewide, and unfortunately it will now be hard to convince a majority of voters that he's a viable candidate for Governor. Perhaps if California hits another horrible fiscal crisis the state might turn to him, but I'm a bit pessimistic.
Maybe I'll feel better after I've had more time to get over Tom's recent loss.