[Congressman Billybob]

The legal mechanism to replace a nominee who withdraws, is this: The 11th District Republican Committee will choose the replacement nominee. They are not required to select the person who placed second to Taylor in the primary (which is me). They are free to choose anyone they want.

Do not assume that Shuler is a shoo-in if Taylor withdraws. Shuler's entire strategy since he first announced a year ago is to run against the damaged goods of Taylor. He has no real content to his campaign except that he's young, good-looking, and isn't Taylor. That's it.

Shuler was born the year I first ran for public office. He was a toddler when I won my first case in the US Supreme Court. I have decades of experience in local, state and national government. He has zip.

With two months to run, I can beat Heath Shuler hands down. He's no shoo-in against anyone except Charles Taylor. Also, expect this campaign to get really dirty if Charlie stays in the race. That's Charlie's pattern as a race comes down to the wire and he feels genuinely threatened.

John / Billybob

[saganite]

I keep hearing about all the Abramof challenged congressmen but no names so far. Presumably the charges will come close enough to the election so as to prevent any chance of recovery by the candidates charged or allow for competitive replacements. I'm guessing we'll see a whole slew of indictments (in the press if not in the courts) in Oct.