When he scores an East County endorsement, please let me know. OK, the sheriff represents East County too, but this is still the downtown people making all the endorsements.

Bob Watkins will make a great memember of Congress. I look forward to him working hard in Congress for his Constituents.

Isn't this the part when someone says: "great get Bob!!!", "nice pickup!!!", or something of that nature...or are such comments only reserved for DeMaio, Fletcher, Thalheimer, and Boling?

I call foul on anonymous. While there are clearly posters from time to time from the campaigns themselves, that's not much different than, say, who attends debates or who calls into radio talk shows. All fair, I say... I think we are smart enough readers to figure out who is legit and who is a shill.

Great get Bob!!! Nice pickup!!!

It seems like this race is coming down to Watkins & Duncan D. What's going on with the younger Hunter's campaign? I haven't seen too much posted on Red County. In any event, whomever wins CD-52 is going to have big shoes to fill. Hunter has a long time to do it--which he needs since to my knowledge he has no real experience in politics. Watkins definitely has the experience he just needs to step up alot sooner as time is not necessarily on his side.

Kolender is a big endorsement in East County and probably only the third significant endorsement named so far in this entire race outside of Plescia & Hollingsworth (both of whom endorsed Hunter Jr. I believe). A solid pick-up for Watkins.

It's between Watkins and Ducan, but I think there is still some loose ends in Joel Anderson.

To the best of my knowledge, he has not stated that he won't run. He has the President of the CRA as his Chief of Staff, his former campaign manager in the district office and a very active "kitchen cabinet" around East County. The fact that his Chief is commuting from LA to SD/SAC and his District Director is still there (over a year is a long time for a political Dist. Dir. in a campaign season) sends a pretty clear message.

I say Joel Anderson is jumping in, is there anyone out there that can confirm he is not?

Roberts is significant. They're both good endorsements for sure. Hunter will definately have his hands full if Watkins is willing to take a risk. Not sure if he wants to risk picking a fight with the Hunters. We'll see. Won't be a slam dunk for either one in the gen, regardless.

A couple weeks ago I understand Anderson was trying to hire a fundraiser in Orange County - for a Congressional race.

I heard around the water cooler just last week that Anderson was actively looking to put together his campaign team too. I quickly dismissed it thinking he was all but out at this point, but I find it interesting that it comes back up again so soon.

The talk had Anderson announcing his candidacy for CD52 right before the filing deadline. His reason being something like "I've been out in the community and everywhere I go people are asking me to run for congress- to help fix a broken system. I have a duty to the people..." which translates to the candidate pool isn't that strong and I can win this.

Who is part of Anderson's team?

Don't underestimate the significance of Sheriff Kolender's endorsement... for the past several years, in poll after poll, Sheriff Kolender has consistently received the highest favorability ratings of any elected official in the County. A nod by the Sheriff will definitely translate into some votes for Watkins.

I'll leave it to individuals to identify themselves as his supporters. With all the candidates out there, i'm sure more than a few are torn on who to support. Who knows which camp people will end up in...

Kolender is not popular in East County. Hey didn't he appoint Bob to the Airport Authority?? And with Kolender being one of the biggest advocates for gun control what do you think East County will really think of the endorsee??

So far all of Bob's endorsements have been from the far left crowd of the San Diego Republicans, again no true conservatives at all. That will surely be talked about in this campaign and hurt Bob more then help.
Birds of a feather flock together.

And what experience does Bob have with Congressional issues other then wanting to kick the Marines, a huge part of our economy, out of town for a new airport. That sounds like someone who isn't thinking when they make a decision.

I've heard rumors that a major Millionaire is waiting till the last second to file for Joel's Assemby seat.

I heard them say he will drop a cool mill in and easily win, since Joel will be distracted with the Congressional race. That could leave Joel without either seat if he can't beat Duncan D.

And if the race turns dirty, Lumpkin might have a true shot. Wow, wouldn't that turn the East County upside down and help strengthen the Democrat majority in DC.
If that happens, everyone in that race would be finished politically.

Uh-huh...and this "major millionare" just came out of thin air this year, when he could have run for an open 77th two years ago.

The other bright folks creating the rumors apparently aren't smart enough to get that you don't run for a congressional seat and an assembly seat at the same time. If Anderson runs for congress, the AD is open. Gee, maybe the millionaire will run for it after all.

Same with Watkins. He won't be running for his County Ed seat.

As for Lumpkin, also missing in all the arguments that a Dem can win a seat as strongly GOP as 52 is that as soon as the Rep nominee is selected, as ugly as that contest might have been, the PACs will engage for the GOP candidate as a virtual incumbent. Lumpkin, Butcher, it doesn't matter....a D can't compete with the registration deficit or the money deficit.

"And if the race turns dirty, Lumpkin might have a true shot. Wow, wouldn't that turn the East County upside down and help strengthen the Democrat majority in DC.

If that happens, everyone in that race would be finished politically."

This is true.

Of course there's about as much chance of this happening as there is of Lumpkin flying into Santee on a chariot made of chocolate and feathers and playing a Pied Piper-esque tune on a shiny new pennywhistle, hypnotizing the good folks of CD-52 into voting for him.

Fools, all fools. All so blind to current events. You all predicted Obama the front runner Im sure. McCain not Rep enough. The mindless like Rush telling fellow mindless not to cast a ballot for the too left leaning John. What a shame the GOP has become. Such confusion, more like the Dem party than ever. All so sure a Rep victory in the 52nd. Only the fanatics comment here, are you really in touch with those that make up their mind as they step into the box? Do you not see the wave of disgust with the typical white male entitled into a political position. It's sweeping the country and east county won't be denied. Please continue your complacent attitude of routine it's so typical. Go ahead and ignore a strong Dem canidate and put all your money on a sure bet. Thank you.

I'll let one of the GOP-er's respond to those biting comments.

I think the Rep candidates will blow their wad on the primary, especially if Anderson jumps in to shake things up a bit. No one else in the race is willing to pick a fight with Hunter. Whoever wins will try to cruise to the finish in the general and find Lumpkin already there. Don't under-estimate this guy, especially with the Dem's ability to raise a lot of money this time around. He'll be a force for sure and no one will see him coming.

One term in the Assembly and off to the US Congress. I wouldn't be surprised if Anderson jumped in. Lumpkin would benefit.

I think Congress for Joel right now would be a tough call. For all the talk some guys give about family values, etc., that stuff really does matter to Joel. Sacramento is probably already tough on the guy and I don't think he's ready to switch to the DC commute...maybe when his kids are a bit older.

kolender's endorsement (the anti-gun guy, right? ya that ought to fly in east county). hum. reminds me of the movie 'weekend at bernies' though....

Oh Independent, beware of predictions aginist the almighty GOP. They will be sure to berate and insult, It's in their operational handbook. Make no mistake the Rep know how to win but their over confidence in the 52nd just might be their demise. With such a poor field to choose, from president to congress must just eat them up. The strong and confident have risen to the top and they look like Dems. All these local big wig indorsements out of principal how nobel. I thought only Dems were so stupid. The Reps have truly forgotten how to win. Jr. will be the anointed one in June, there is no other, but I belive that east county will over through this far right dynasty. When early November rolls around the 52nd will be better kept.

Careful not to underestimate the power of third-party credibility. In a field of virtual unknowns and untested candidates, third-party credibility could be a key advantage for the candidate who uses it right. Remember in the CA-50th race, Bilbray won, not because he was the best funded or most known, it was due in large-part to the third-party community support he had from local council members, board of sups, sheriff, DA and Darrell Issa. It's not everything for Watkins to have this support, but it's not nothing either.

Hi Kurt,
I agree with ya reguarding third-party. I followed the 50th contest very closely. The reason Brian won was because of the person the Dems put forward. Busby NEVER have a chance and everyone knew it including the local lefties. If Young had entered that race six months sooner than she did the 50th would be blue. That's a fact. That is my point with reguards to canidate selection. All those endorsments are great behind the right person. Look at Watkins endorsments, he already paints himself as a politician. Too many people owe him something and that something is an endorsement. Jr's endorsments, do you think he asked for one of them? No, they all came from daddy. Endorsments don't come that easy they take alot of work and Jr hasen't been at it long enough to get all of the ones on his web site. Look at the person and weigh that persons motivation and sencerity, are they inline with what's best for east county. Is that person an opportunist or does he actually care about the people of the 52nd? I urge everone to look at both sides, Rep and Dem, who has the integrity? It's easy for me to narrow the field right now because I've spent some time doing my homework. I've talked to both and they care about and love the people of east county. Jones and Lumpkin are the best canidates right now. It's time I get off my soap box.

No argument here on that 50th race. Dems blew it on Busby. Young was such a better choice in that one. Bilbray's locked in now, thanks to the community support he had. I give him credit for that.

I don't think the 52nd is the same story. It's a tougher district for Dem's, but they've also got stronger party support and solid field teams. I don't think anyone doubts that Jr. is the fav, but I say again, they'll underestimate Lumpkin. He really could clean up, especially if it's anyone other than Jr.

FireCliff! Great job with your homework - with all that is going on now with our country - those who have fought for it deserve to serve to win it. Duncan, Jr. or Mike Lumpkin are the ones who would best serve the 52nd. Downtown Bob is NOT the "ONE".

Beachbum...

I completely disagree with you. I think Duncan D. Hunter's military service to this country is something that ALL Americans should applaud and respect. However I don't feel that should qualify him to be a member of congress. Duncan D. Hunter (hereafter "Jr.") is 31 years old and has been serving in the military since he graduated college. He held full time employment for no more than a few months after graduating from college. To think you and other members of the 52nd Congressional District are so infatuated by a name and not ideas is shocking. What ideas has Jr. brought to the table other his father's?

I have chosen to support another candidate in this race because experience does matter and someone that has none is not what this country needs.