A seat in the U. S House of Representatives is not a birthright. Duncan D. Hunter is not entitled to this seat just because his father held it. Hunter the Younger is no more qualified for this position than anyone else in this race. I, for one, would like to see some new blood in the District. I would very much like to be represented by someone other than a Hunter.

Not that I really care, but since the Lumpkin supporters were so eager to point out other people posting signs in the wrong places and act as though the Lumpkin campaign is above posting signs illegally, I have to tell. On the corner of Bancroft and Grossmont there are at least 4 illegally posted Lumpkin signs. Yes there are signs for Hunter and Watkins, but based on what I have read here the past few days I NEVER thought the Lumpkin campaign would ever do anything like that!

I hope they have somewhere else to live after their glass house comes a crashin down.

There is no question that Little Duncan wouldn't be a factor if it weren't for his name. He is only able to raise money and garner endorsements because of the political connections that his father has.

He is dull, has no charisma or personality. His campaign never misses an opportunity to underwhelm. With all that money going to consultants and mail pieces, he will still lose this race. Besides, Hunter can't beat lumpkin in the Fall. Only Jones can do that. Sr. was too close to "Duke" Cunningham and that will hurt him in the general. If Hunter wins in the primary, we will see the first Democratic Representative to Congress in 28 years.

"Another candidate could overcome Hunter's name advantage, he said, if he or she were to raise enough money, and have a mixture of charisma, personality, and a strong message and record."

When it comes to "chrisma, personality and a strong message and record," Mike Lumpkin wins hands down. Granted, Jr. has got lots of contributions--thanks to his father as the Jones supporter clearly indicated--but, Lumpkin is getting that, too.

The people of this country are tired of Bush/Bush or Clinton/Clinton. They will be tired of Hunter/Hunter as well.

But don't worry Hunter staffers/bloggers...Mike Lumpkin will represent the ENTIRE district, regardless of political affiliation. That means you, too, will get to be heard. Unlike the Duncan Hunters, Mike Lumpkin believes in represnting ALL Americans.

What's that?! hunter and cunningham linked!? say it isn't so! brian jones is the only candidate in this race conservatives can trust. jr. is a just a boring version of his father, wait he is his father! they're the same person! can't trust him, them, him. if you want e legacy of PAC reprsnetation, vote for little duncan, a legacy of earmark abuse.

I spend a great deal of my own personal time reviewing all of our candidates. I inspect their finances, their agendas and their truthfulness. I am looking for the best candidate that will honor the Christian Community in San Diego County. I would never, ever endorse someone who is corrupt or who has the potential to dishonor our Christian Community by betraying our values. Having said all of that, I have endorsed Duncan Hunter Jr. I think he is a hero, who has fought in the Iraqi danger zone for our nation and he will be bringing great honor to our people in San Diego County. Furthermore, I have every confidence that when Duncan Hunter says that he is a Christian, as both he and his wife have publicly claimed, I believe them to be absolutely truthful. I am preparing my voter recommendation list which will be going out to over 20,000 Christian Conservative voters and Duncan Hunter Jr. will be on that list.

...then you will encourage 20,000 sheep to vote for someone who wouldn't be a factor in this race if it weren't for his name. Yeah, that's Christian leadership alright.

If all you Jones and Lumpkin supporters put as much effort into doing productive things for their campaigns instead of blogging your fantasies on here, your candidates might actually have a chance. But instead, your very mishandled, terribly consulted and poorly managed campaigns don't have a chance. Try working your way up through the schoolboards and water districts for some name ID. Apparently the title santee city councilman isn't enough to even get you elected to a local assembly seat like Joel Anderson proved when he beat Jack Dale. Wasn't that the same consultant that Brian uses?
And Lumpkin, yeah right, name when in 28 years a social liberal dem like Lumpkin ever had a real shot at this seat. This district isn't going to change anytime soon.
And another thing. There is probably 100 people who actually read these things and they all have their mind made up as to who they are going to vote for all the way through November. Your blogging attacks and rude remarks are nothing more then trying to vent your frustration. Go to your pyschiatrist or church group and vent because it is getting real repetitive and old in here.

My big question is, when Duncan D. kicks Jones butt in 3 weeks, are his supporters going to join on with Mike Lumpkins group of loonies?

In response to Gifts are Brian's Best Friend

I am new to blogging. I came on this blog to have honest and thoughtful dialog. Unfortunately, I have found a lot of name calling and derogatory remarks about the character of bloggers and the people running for public office.

Really, folks, this is not junior high. I implore you to be polite and write about issues. Name calling makes you look afraid and unsure of your position. You should express your ideas and opinions with grace and civility.

We are Americans. One of the hallmarks of America is our ability to have a public dialog, hear varying points of view, and be the stronger for it. We need to help each other be educated and be willing to learn.

I don’t mean to single out Gifts are Brian's Best Friend. He really was not as rude as others; if fact, I was paying attention to him until he said “Lumpkin loonies.” I lost respect for him. Name calling. It made me sad.

We don't need a dynasty in the 52nd. Even Duncan’s own kind is put off by his arrogance and false bravado. After June 3 he'll have to face Mike Lumpkin in a serious contest. Mike will outshine him hands down.

As for the comment about the electability of a Democrat in the 52nd:
If you check with the ROV, you will find the gap has been closing between Republican and Democrat registered voters and has changed dramatically over the past two elections, 20% of which are now DTS who generally vote Democrat. I wouldn’t count my chickens too soon Jr. And remember people are tired of the current situation here and abroad. Duncan D. will only represent “stay the course”, since that nametag is part of the current administration. Mike Lumpkin will represent change and will represent ALL of us.

Yes, the registration gap in the 52nd has narrowed since the last election, thanks to the surge in registration not just in the 52nd, but statewide, mostly because of the Clinton/Obama primary. However, over the long term, since reapportionment in 2001, the registration gap has decreased from 14% to 13.83%. Not exactly a huge decline. As, to the canard that the DTS votes overwhelming Democrat, Simon in '02, Bush in '04, and McClintock in '06, won between 66% - 75% of the DTS vote. In fact, every Republican running statewide in 2006, won the 52nd, including Poochigan and Mountjoy. There is nothing to suggest that Lumpkin or Butcher has any chance in Hades of winning the district come November, except that their die hard supporters say so.

An oft-assumed and re-stated fallacy regarding East County -- that DTS voters swing Dem, simply because they do in other areas. Absolutely not true. In fact, many are independent because they are MORE conservative than the GOP; they vote for the Rep in the general and find conservatives like La Suer, Hunter, Hollingsworth, etc to fit their views moreso than more moderate Reps. No amount of wishful thinking will change that.

I notice that no one is coming to the defense of Jr. Wonder what that means? You all will need a good candidate to win in the 52nd despite what you think about your old assumptions of the voter breakdown. East County folks are pretty smart. They are certainly aware of the Hunter name and what it has meant. And they are tired, very tired of what's been happening with our economy, the war, and other important issues. They are hungry for CHANGE and Mike Lumpkin embodies change.

I am so happy you brought up local public service in all of this. Do tell. What schoolboards did Little Bush, I mean, Little Duncan serve on? Wait, according to your own argument, we must be missing the information stating what water district Little Duncan served on. According to your compelling argument, your vote goes to Vickie Butcher.

At least Jones served as a local councilman. In the article Little Duncan says that name advantage has nothing to do with it..then why didn't he run for Congress in Idaho instead of coming out here to do it?

As for rudeness, when you point your finger at others, at least three more point right back at you.

Granted, DTS voters in the 52nd tend to be more conservative. It is also true that Lumpkin will need some conservatives to cross-over in order for him to win. It will take money and exposure on Lumpkin's part to close the gap.

Face it, the RNC and the RCCC are broke---or in debt, even--and have no money to give to Jr's campaign. The DCCC, on the other hand, sees Lumpkin's campaign as a win-able race. They've got a lot of money to exploit articles such as the one above. Lumpkin will get all the Dem vote. Jr. will not get all the Rep vote because much of the district sees him as a weak candidate, as long as they know it's Jr. running and not Sr. Add to that the discouraged Reps in the disrict (ie small business, Ron Paul-ers, Libertarians, etc), Mike Lumpkin's moderate positions, his military background as a SEAL and combat veteran, and on Nov 4, Mike Lumpkin wins enough cross-over to take the district.

As a new Christian and a Brian Jones supporter, I don't like the idea of Hunter winning simply because of his name. Have you heard him speak? He's not very good at it. I love that Brian Jones is active in his church and community. He appears to be such a great family man. He will make the best representative for us!

"For his part, candidate Hunter disputes any talk of legacies. He said he decided to run on his own to continue his service to the country."

Run on his own? Does that mean he'll be returning all those campaign contributions his father helped him to get?

With the success Don Cazayoux, Bill Foster (Dennis Hastert's seat) in republican safe districts. ALL REPUBLICANS ARE VULNERABLE.

Mr Hartline. You have my vote for central committee. Focus your attention on that race rather than city council. You will achieve more success. My advice to you is to appeal to the base of conservative republicans who are angry at their party. There are more of us out there than this blog would like to believe.

To the establishment. From the Ron Paul revolutionaries who garnered 10% of the vote. Do not count on them to fall in line like good republicans. The ones who I have talked to on the street aren't to happy about McCain but are relieved that Romney did not get the nod.

We love what our party stands for but are tired of seeing our values get rejected by the voters. Its very bad for moral. How is fundraising going?

As I read more about Mike Lumpkin on these blogs, I am amazed that others are even trying to compete with him! Mike Lumpkin offers all that east county needs! The other candidates pretend to have experience, but none of them come close to rivaling Mr. Lumpkin. By the way, I was sitting at the intersection of Jackson and Fletcher yesterday and noticed that all the Mike Lumpkin signs were gone. Isn't that illegal? I don't know much about campaign stuff, but I do know that it is pretty underhanded to take down other candidates signs.

Party discipline is strong in the right, (to a fault.) So it couldn't possibly be a republican party opperative. (Not that I have any love for them either) Last time I heard of people tearing down campaign signs it was against the mayor. Considering political vandalism, and blaming others are staples of the left. My hunch is that it was a leftie who tore down those signs to create a campaign issue. Either that or mabye it was the wind that knocked down those signs. There sure is alot of hot air with no substance comming in from the left.

Not all of us 52nd district republicans are christians and I want to let you know that you're leaving us to become independent voters or democrats. America is a country founded upon religious freedom and when you force Christianity down our throats you turn the rest of us away. I've been holding on as long as I can, but I'm tired of it. It's time to end the fundamentalist christian B.S. I hoped that all that crazy christian stuff would be ending now that the Bush administration is on its way out.

That's why I'm leaning toward Rick Powell, he may be Christian for all I know, but he doesn't talk about his religion as a way to solve our problems. Or, I may just decide to change my party affiliation, I read today that I have until the 19th.

I recently heard a very smart Christian Minister say something along the lines of, "when you mix religion and politics, you get politics." I can't remember his name, but he was at the forefront of anti-abortion policy. He's decided his church can do more good staying out of politics. I really wish our party would do the same.

Barry, all the DTS voters I know are voting democratic. I can't be the only one to see it that way. Anyone else?

...if all the DTS voters you know are voting Democratic then you live in a bubble.

It's nice here in my bubble. I think it might be bigger than you think.

...I think its bigger than most years - not big enough for the 52nd to go D. But any time you say something like, 'all the (insert group) I know think like me' you lose credibility and point out that you operate in an echo camber.

Had you used 'most' as the operative word, instead of 'all', you wouldnt have gotten so pwned.

I said all the ones I know, not all the DTS voters. You're over thinking it.

Amen to that Non-Christian. The big Republican tent is shrinking rapidly. It is no longer inclusive...now it is more exclusive. And that's too bad. Mike Lumpkin is a Christian who attends church with his wife. And, he doesn't press his religious beliefs on anyone. He is very accepting. Mike understands the concept of the separation of church and state. This is just another reason that Mike Lumpkin is the best candidate. He will represent ALL of us whether Christian or not, Republican or Democrat or other party affiliation. We have waited a long time for a candidate of his caliber and he is here.

Amen, Jenart!

I find it interesting that people are so impressed with Duncan D's service in Iraq as a reservist. Mike Lumpkin served in the active duty military for over TWENTY ONE YEARS. There are plenty of patriotic Democrats in this country. Replublicans do not own the American flag.

The DTS voters I know (I don't know them all, of course, since folks are getting a bit nit-picky) are glad the GOP nominee will be a conservative so they can support him instead of passing the contest over ;-) ... but, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating (the actual phrase) come November as to that difference of opinion.

In the meantime, I was kinda hoping we could elevate the debate above name calling and rudeness. Waddaya think? There are plenty of relevant issues to disagree on without having to make it personal. Perhaps we should applaud all of the candidates for their service to community and/or country, while also either staunchly agreeing or disagreeing with them over their respective politics and worldviews.

Just a thought.

Never mind?

Im with Barry. Lets not become the UT blog.

Thank you Barry J.

And I might add that negative campaigning of any kind does a disservice to the community. It only serves to confuse the electorate (Which I understand is one tactic used to lower voter turnout when a particular candidate is feeling intimidated.) Case in point is the resent flurry of negative campaign mailers put out by the Boling campaign. Negative campaigning often has a blow-back effect. It turns potential voters off for the candidate making the negative claims about their opponent. I might also point out that the Emerald campaign has chosen keep to the high road and not go negative.

I'm really happy I googled Duncan Hunters name. Found this blog right away. Look forward to chatting with you all for a while.

Real East County:

I have removed your first comment. You know why. Keep it up and I will request Mighty Thor ban you.

I have to agree that Duncan is trying to pass the seat to his son. I don't like it at all. It bothers me very much. I also do not like someone else telling me that they are the real Christian and this is who they want me to vote for. I am a DTS because the Republican Party left me. It is no longer the party of my parents. We all pretend that it wasn't Republicans we voted into office that have brought our nation into this mess, but it was and still is. I think we have a responsibility to make this right. We have to vote for the person who is able to get the job done. My vote will be for Bob Watkins. And if he doesn't win but Dwayne does, I really don't believe I can support that. I don't know what I'm going to do.

Pinellica: I agree that your party left you behind. You might want to take a closer look at Mike Lumpkin since he's a very moderate democrat and has already served his country for more than 20 years as a Navy SEAL. He fought in Afghanistan and Iraq and he was at the forefront working to get the proper armour to our soldiers when the Bush admin. sent them over there without it.

Mike is a Christian who is extremely tolerant of other religions. He understands the economic mess we're in and he's smart and he cares about what we think. I believe he will be the best to truly represent "we the people" of the 52nd district.

Any of you disenfranchised folks who want to take a look at our side might be surprised by what you see. Despite the rhetoric and semantics, we're not the burkenstock-wearing, pot smokers you think we are (OK, well maybe a few are - but they're the ones who give us a bad name). We own houses and we work for a living, just like you, and we wear suits and dresses, we attend our various houses of worship and we love our families as much as you do.

We will welcome you with open arms.

I have found in my many years of Christian activism that when you have a supporter of a liberal Democrat candidate attempting to sell their liberal candidate's form of "Christianity, you usually have the kind of "Christian" who advocates destroying the historical definition of family. Their so-called kind of "Christian" love means gay marriage, acceptance of abortion as a "loving" means of birth control and of course, opening wide the flood gates along the border because the "Christian" thing to do is to love all of the illegal immigrants. And then of course, you have San Diego City Council president Scott Peters, who also claims to be Christian, at the same time he was leading the charge along with "Christian" Mike Aguirre as they were both doing everything possible to tear down the Mt. Soledad Cross.

Hi James: I'm not Christian, I just thought it might appeal to you other Christians. You're coming on kind of heavy.

Why do you hate gays? Nobody likes abortion and it's not a means of birth control. That's ridiculous. Abortion is a surgical procedure and should never be taken lightly. Illegal imigration has nothing to do with Christianity. Nobody wants illgal immigration to continue. And furthermore, as a non-Christian, I don't give a damn about that stupid cross. I can't believe you people are so hell-bent on saving a bunch of ugly cinderblock. It's not like it's even an architecturally beautiful piece of art like say, the crosses in the Vatican or in some churches.

Your holier-than-though attitude will certainly get you into heaven. I bet if Jesus were alive today he'd be a liberal. In fact, most of his teachings show tolerance, fairness, and love, and he was very non-judgemental.

Mr. Hartline: I just took a peek at your Web site and now I understand you're hatred of gays. You can't just decide not to be a homosexual anymore. It is who you are. You should take a look at the scientific evidence. For example, the corpus collusum is larger in gay men and women than in non-gay men. There are actual physical differences. You should do more research on your own.

Your church isn't going to "cure" you. It's not an illness. You can't just decide not to be gay. You should love and respect yourself more than that! Be who you are.

That last message is from me. I forgot to enter my pesudonym.

Well, now we have a much better look at what Lumpkin is really all about. It is so much better to cut through all of the bogus "he's a Christian too" smokescreens and just get to the real agenda and these latest comments reveal the real Democratic agenda out in the 52nd. Lumpkin is just another radical liberal who will push for the same old anti-christian junk that his political friends are pushing in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, etc. etc. etc. And, I am now even more convinced that my endorsement of Duncan Hunter Jr. Was the right thing to do.

Denial is a powerful thing Mr. Hartline. Good luck with your campaign.

Mr. Hartline.

As I said before. You have my vote out of 6 for central committee. I believe that the party needs more Boris Johnson eccentrics to envigorate the base. Keep it up Jim. Many believe the party to be to stolid. Its ashamed we have not met. You can find me caged at the SDRP zoo.

To the Right of the moderates, across from the Ron Paul revolutionaries, next to the true Reagan republicans and Paleo-conservatives. There are pleanty of other exibits of republicans that the party does not what the public to see. But make no mistake we exist and we are tired of being cattle prodded into fighting for defeat after defeat. We may not perform when wipped this cycle.

Barry, sorry if I went overboard. I'll tone it down. All I was saying is that I've read that Duncan Hunter doesn't like homosexuals and that he wants to get rid of all the illegal Mexicans. I dont blame him. Who knows what kind of people are crossing our borders. The illegals have just as much a chance of being terrorist as anybody else. Thats why I think they should be sent to Gitmo... or at least strongly interrogated. I'm pretty sure that Duncan Hunter would agree.

Has anyone seen U-T article today on last night's Duncan D. Hunter and Mike Lumpkin debate? It was awesome! There is another next Tuesday at Grossmont College. Last night's was at Cuyamaca College.