In early 1915, following the Battles of the Marne, World War I shifted from a bloody war of maneuver to an even bloodier war of attrition as the Germans and the Allies entrenched.

I think the war of maneuver between Assemblyman Van Tran and Supervisor Janet Nguyen that commenced with the run-up to the 2007 special supervisorial election has almost reached a similar point. The question is will they entrench and wage a destructive war of attrition -- or reach some sort of peace settlement.

Sorry, I have a tendency to think in military history metaphors.

Now that the 1st Supervisor District election has been settled and Janet has won a decisive victory, central OC's two leading elected officials are at a crossroads.

On one hand, they could continue to fight it out via proxies by recruiting candidates to run against each others proteges for local elected offices.A newly-energized Supervisor Nguyen could decide its payback time and covertly (or overtly) sabotage whatever plans Van Tran may have of running for the Sanchez seat in 2010.

All of which would be tremendously destructive to Republican prospects in central Orange County.

On the other hand, each side could sheathe their swords, call a truce and discuss the mutual advantages of cooperation. They don't even have to like each other if they don't want.

Van Tran and Janet Nguyen could accomplish a great deal for GOP fortunes in central OC by working in tandem. Van Tran has a built a tremendous political and voter registration operation that has served as the infrastructure making possible for GOP successes in central county -- including Janet's own. Supervisor Nguyen has demonstrated an indefatigableness, fundraising prowess and cross-over political appeal.

Together, their respective gifts and organizations would be a potent combination permitting Republicans to become more competitive in territory heretofore unfriendly to Republican candidates.

A Van-Janet entente would boost candidate recruitment efforts. It easier to identify, develope and field good candidates if those potential candidates don't have to worry about choosing sides in an ongoing intra-party feud where making a friend in party grouping guarantees an enemy in another.

For all the criticism he's received, Van Tran has also demonstrated an ability to place the party's  interest first. In the wake of his rough handling when the Senate GOP leadership passed him over in 2006 in favor of Assemblyman Lynn Daucher as the standard bearer in the 34th Senate District, Van could have taken his marbles and gone home. Instead, he threw his formidable operation into the Daucher effort. Absent Van's help, I doubt Daucher would have come within a hair of defeating Lou Correa.

And for all the criticism Janet has received -- including a good deal from this blogger -- there's no denying she has a future in GOP politics. She's young and will be on the Board of Supervisors for another eight years. Color me skeptical that her political interests are intrinsically at odds with Van Tran's. Rather, I think they are complementary -- and vice versa. And I believe she's savvy enough to recognize that, as is Van.

This is a point where some gestures of good will would help. Van Tran might offer to organize a fundraiser for Janet, who might reciprocate by disavowing Shirley Grindle's frivolous FPPC complaint against Van. Perhaps even a joint unity breakfast.

I realize it is difficult to dial-down the emotions and anger following a long brawl as bitter as this one has been. But their ability to do so is what distinguishes the amateurs from the professionals.

So rather than training their guns on each other, here's to hoping Janet Nguyen and Van Tran embrace the wisdom of training them in the same direction.

UPDATE (6:27 p.m.): I see Martin Wisckol has a post on the same topic over at Total Buzz. great minds think alike.