Here is the funny thing in this district (CA 11). The Dems seem to be confident about beating Pombo. They feel that he can be portrayed as ethically challenged, ineffectual and out of touch with his district. However, they can't do that with Pete McCloskey. There is no way that any Dem can beat McCloskey. While he is not as conservative as Pombo, the best way to keep this district Red may be to vote Pombo out, as one lefty web site is named, but to do it in the primary. I know that in my home town (I actually live in the district) the complaint is that the only time Pombo shows up is to ask for votes. He is definitely NOT popular.
Really? McCloskey is 78 years old. Why vote out a younger incumbant for a much older candidate who doesn't have the longevity to retain the seat for as long as Pombo?
The CA-11 is the redistricted CA-10 that Ellen Tauscher used to have (after Bill Baker imploded), plus the portions of the central valley that Gary Condit left behind.
-PJ