When I first heard the news about Elton Gallegly's retirement, I figured it had to be some kind of clever plan to freeze out Republicans he doesn't like (e.g., the Stricklands) and hand-pick a successor (perhaps through a write-in campaign). I just couldn't believe Elton could be so ignorant of California election laws, and I say that as someone who is not one of Elton's fans.
But apparently he really was that ignorant, and so was his attorney Michael Bradbury (former Ventura County D.A.). But then I was never very impressed with Bradbury either.
All along I considered Elton's purported health issues to be a convenient excuse. Oh, it's possible that he really does have something wrong with him, and I hope he regains his health. But what possible "health issue" would cause him to suddenly withdraw from the race on the last day of the filing period, that he didn't know about earlier? Especially since he tipped off some close associates at least a day or two before hand?
And he's now been given a clean bill of health? And he now has no problem running for another term? That's amazingly convenient.
I can certainly tell you this: Everyone else here in Simi Valley is just as dumbfounded at Elton's actions as I am.
Gallegly never struck me as being the sharpest knife in the drawer. If people suspect Gallegly intends to resign after being re-elected... well that has all the makings for a Dem upset win...
It certainly seems too convenient. Channel 3 (KEYT?) news interviewed a "McClintock Aide" who said Gallegly's problem was one that many other Congressmen had and that he thought Gallegly would definitely overcome. Since he's in his early 60's, maybe he has one of those older people's problems.
Also, it wasn't just a day or two; according to the earlier threads, he had discussed with his aides/lawyers for two weeks how to withdraw.