[Dave S]

But McClintock insists this technicality is superceded by his First Amendment right to communicate his platform to the voters.

Is this an example of strict constructionist thinking? Where in the Constitution is there a first ammendment right to be heard. The first ammendment is for the press, not the politicians.

Is this failing to know and follow the laws of the state of California the profound competence and unsurpassed knowledge of government that McClintock supposedly brings to the party over his challengers?

[mac_truck]

career politicians never seem to think the rules apply to them personally. I wonder if Bill Simon would have made this mistake?

[SteveH]

Is this failing to know and follow the laws of the state of California the profound competence and unsurpassed knowledge of government that McClintock supposedly brings to the party over his challengers?

Admittedly, I believe it was a costly mistake.

However, please, let's not lose perspective altogether. For example, mistakes such as these are (I believe) not uncommon and the real question for me is how many of the other candidates made similar mistakes which were overlooked by the SoS?