CA: McCloskey Says He's Running for House (will compete with Richard Pombo for nomination)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 1/21/06 | Juliet Williams - ap

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Former seven-term Congressman Paul "Pete" McCloskey said Saturday that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo (news, bio, voting record) for the Republican nomination in his northern California district.

The 78-year-old McCloskey, a maverick known for environmental causes, told The Associated Press he felt compelled to get back into politics because of his concern for the environment and what he sees as a shift in Washington away from traditional Republican values.

He also was prompted by what he described as Pombo's close ties to Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a growing corruption scandal.

"Winning isn't the issue. The issue is forcing a debate on which way the Republican Party goes," McCloskey said. "This guy Pombo, he wants to privatize the remaining public lands in California and he has the power to do it. He's the chairman of the House Resources Committee. He's up to his neck with Abramoff."

A spokeswoman for Pombo did not immediately return messages seeking comment Saturday.

McCloskey, a lawyer in Redwood City, helped write the Endangered Species Act while he was in congress, and he ran for the Republican presidential nomination against Richard Nixon in 1972 on an anti-Vietnam War platform.

He said Saturday that he spent months trying to find a candidate to run against Pombo, also a Republican.

"I'm going to run against him because nobody else will," McCloskey said. He said he planned to formally announce his candidacy Monday.

[NormsRevenge]

In this Monday, October 11, 2004, photo provided by the Palo Alto Weekly, Paul 'Pete' McCloskey is seen in Palo Alto, Calif. Former seven-term Congressman McCloskey said Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo for the Republican nomination in his northern California district. The 78-year-old McCloskey, a maverick known for environmental causes, told The Associated Press the last thing he wants is to jump back into politics after more than two decades out of elected office. (AP Photo/Palo Alto Weekly, Norbert von der Groeben)

[RedRover]

A blast from the past! But I thought McCloskey was a Democrat!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ah, the old Marxist, anti-Semite, anti-Zionist, anti-American pig... and he's running in WHAT party ?!?

[Amerigomag]

Someone must have a dossier on Pombo 6 inches thick for this old liberal war horse to emerge from the shadows of the past.

[appleharvey]

McCloskey is a complete liberal

You forgot to add that he is also a complete horse's ass.

[Prost1]

Just one little detail.
This district is secure for Pombo!

[sruleoflaw]

Good old Pete supported John Kerry -- sounds like he's worse than a RINO.

[Clintonfatigued]

It doesn't matter, as McCloesky is yesterday's news and won't win.

The only threat Pombo faces is if state Assemblywoman Barbara Matthews challenges him in the general election.

[SFConservative]

Another little detail: McCloskey does not live in that congressional district. But I suppose he can borrow some old carpet bags for a while.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Pombo is the last Republican left representing any part of the Bay Area - the Democrats desperately want to knock him off.

[Cicero]

Boy, that blow-dried hairdo must have cost him a thousand bucks. It's a Work of Art.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Paul 'Pete' McCloskey

So when this RINO puke robs Peter to pay Paul, how does this work with him? ;-)

[fieldmarshaldj]

Hanoi Pete McCloskey & Baghdad Jim McDermott -- Separated at birth ?

[NEW YORKCITYGOPMAN]

McCloskey challenged NIXON in 1972. If I recall, he was a nasty son of a gun, back then.

Someone else challenged NIXON, too, but from the RIGHT, namely the late Ohio Representative, JOHN ASHBROOK, who unfortunately died very young.

I still have one of his campaign buttons: a picture of a "NO LEFT TURN" traffic sign with the name ASHBROOK on it!

[sergeantdave]

Paul 'Pete' McCloskey = a goosestepping piece of fascist garbage. He's done a whole bunch to destroy private property in America. When he dies, I'd advise that he get a urinal installed on his tombstone. His proper name is Paul 'Seig Heil' McCloskey.

[FOG724]

McCloskey, a lawyer in Redwood City, helped write the Endangered Species Act while he was in congress

OMG! This is the last person we want in office.

[bybybill]

The old fool thinks he`s important. Wonder how much he drank with Murtha?