Lungren among early backers of McCain campaign

Sac Bee ^ | 1/26/07 | David Whitney

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River, is helping organize support in the House behind the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Among the pitches he is making to his colleagues is that McCain is the only Republican in the field so far who can put California in play in 2008.

Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., said the argument has been persuasive among some members.

"California is a pretty important state, and a monster state," Shimkus said. "For us to not even compete there is ridiculous. Dan makes that case."

Lungren, Shimkus and a handful have been organizing breakfasts and other small gatherings of House Republicans since the fall to help the senator's fledgling campaign, still officially in the exploratory phase.

-snip-

"He's met with a number of us from time to time," Lungren said of McCain. "We've had several meetings with John. He seeks comment from us."

McCain is one of a dozen or so who have expressed interest in or announced their candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Among them is Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, the senior Republican and former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Shimkus said Hunter's entry in the race is dampening McCain support among California Republicans he has talked to.

The McCain Exploratory Committee is still organizing and didn't have much to officially say about Lungren. "Sen. McCain enjoys lots of support," said campaign spokesman Danny Diaz. "He has friends in both houses of Congress since he served in both."

Lungren said he, along with Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., and a few others, came out early for McCain and that recently he has been helping the Arizona senator by putting his campaign in touch with potential financial supporters.

"Sometimes you pick the winner, sometimes you don't," Lungren said.

[NormsRevenge]

I confess, I voted for Dan once upon a time. Gray won.

Sorry to see Hunter is sucking wind out of McCain's sails here ... NOT!

[JSDude1]

I don't care if everyone supported McCain, I will never support poltico.

[VU4G10]

Gray Davis defeated loser Dan Lungren by nearly 20 points.

[bill1952]

Lots of conjecture and posturing on FR and the rest of America, but McCain is the probable winner in the GOP primary.

And despite Obama blather, Hillary is taking the Democeat's nomination.

Obama can deliver nothing to Hillary, so he won't be her choice for VP, but the Clintions will dance a song or two with him before picking someone eho can deliver a state not won in 04. Hillary/Richardson is an early bet.

McCain putting California in play would upset that strategy.

[ElkGroveDan]

Not surprised. I confess he's my Congressman. I walked my feet raw for his opponent who was the only conservative in the race. Alas it became an ugly three-way race and Lungren the carpetbagger squeaked through as everyone's "second choice" after the primary turned ugly.

[ElkGroveDan]

McCain is the probable winner in the GOP primary.

Next time I'm in pain, I'd like some of what you are smoking.

[NormsRevenge]

I find it odd that he was pretty much not allowed to come to California and campaign for Schwarznegger openly or at all for Bilbray, he raised money at a couple events not widely advertised but that's about it.. so I question his popularity here myself.

[Plutarch]

McCain is the probable winner in the GOP primary.

The GOP primary? Which one? There are several, you know.

[Alia]

CA Dems and liberals hate Dan Lungren. He's pro-life, they are pro-abortion.

Does this really all need to be explained?

[Plutarch]

I checked John McCain's website to see what endorsements he has received. It is a very weak site, almost as if the guy running was some old dude, who barely knew what the internet was, aside from some place where unregulated political discussion goes on, that must be put an end to.

John McCain 2008 - The Exploratory Committee

[bill1952]

Heh. Okay, McCain is the probable GOP candidate nominated to run for President against Hill or whomever in 08.

Clear as mud?

[fleagle]

Dolph Lundgren supports McCain for Pres?

[TigersEye]

Political death to all who support McCain.

The Real McCain

SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO"

SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II

John McCain Gets Soros Cash

John McCain Is No Hero

U.S. Sen. John McCain is no War Hero

John McCain: The Manchurian Candidate

JOHN MCCAIN, WARTS AND ALL

John McCain, you treasonous bastard, I challenge you or any of your traitorous cohorts... (thread by Jim Robinson)

McCain Is Booed by Labor Activists

McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)

John McCain SCREAMS AT 9/11 FSA MEMBERS FOR OPPOSING HIS BILL TO GIVE AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS

John McCain's Skeleton Closet

A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)

McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero

Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros‘ instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)

Not Child‘s Play [McCain/Schumer bill could effect FR?]

McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)

McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats

Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)

McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)

John McCain Goes Left for Money

[newzjunkey]

Lungren sweated too much and Davis, with his over-emphasis on Vietnam service, came to power during the impeachment era and was probably helped by the backlash against the GOP in CA.

Lungren's big problem is illegal immigration. He was chief House sponsor of the 1986 amnesty. I don't know if he's learned that hard lesson.

[Sir_Ed]

John McCain would like to ultimately ban all dissenting criticism from anyone but major media sources...no grassroots organizations, no bloggers, no political ads criticising politicians.

I will never vote for him, and if my inability to vote for him, (as well as millions of other conservatives who put principle before party) brings us Hitliary, oh well...we'd probably deserve it.

Ed

[SierraWasp]

Terible Tommy Sullivan, Rush's friend and fellow talk host pulled Deranged Dan's fat out of the fire in that ugly primary. I sure am gittin tired of the Gerald R. Ford/Nelson Rockyfeller/Pete Wilson/Dubious Dan Lungren wing of the Repellican Party!!!

The only thing you can say for them is they're not a left as those steeped in Schwartzeneggerism!!!

[SierraWasp]

Oh wait! I left miserable Bill Jones offa that list! Remember how he jumped up a backed McLame right before the end of the Primary instead of George Bush?

And another thing... It's pretty bad when liberal moderate Tom Campbell recoils from his former employer Arnold with his tax increase to provide free health insurance to illeagle children while cutting welfare for US citizen's children in CA!!!

[SierraWasp]

"Hunter's entry in the race is dampening McCain support among California Republicans he has talked to."

Go! Duncan... Go!!! We don't want McCain! He's lame!!! Go! Hunter Go!!!

[ElkGroveDan]

Terible Tommy Sullivan, Rush's friend and fellow talk host pulled Deranged Dan's fat out of the fire in that ugly primary.

And it wasn't out of any love for Lungren. You know what they say about a moderate scorned. Sullivan had considered running for Congress himself against his old friend State Senator Rico Oller. Oller had a sit-down with Sullivan and told him that if Sullivan ran against him, he wouldn't pull any punches and it would be a hard fought campaign.

So Tom Sullivan whose day job is an investment adviser threw a hissy fit because his dreams of strolling into office would be ruined when the public heard from the widows and orphans who had lost everything based on Tommy boy's lousy financial advice.

Mr. Nice Guy's only recourse was to take it out on Oller. Sullivan is the kind of guy who'd get into a boxing ring and then be shocked because he got punched. Sorry Tom. You are unelectable. You may have beat Oller, but you'll still never serve in Congress.