The fact that the Dem was so close to winning the district is worrisome. With a 30% Bush disapproval rating, no Dem would be competitive in this district.
Brown was as competitive as he was because a lot of RINOs preferred him to McClintock, especially Ah-nold. They wanted Doug Ose to get the nomination. Barring redistricting, this should be the only close race he runs. This district was not McClintock’s residence, which was another problem for him, too (of course, Ose carpetbagged it, too, but not far away, McClintock is from Southern CA).