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California Congressional District 4 Red to Blue? Bill Durston Gunning for Lungren’s Seat Gets Firepower from Lt. Governor John Garamendi and Former Republican Member of Congress Pete McCloskey

Durston 3.jpg By Randy Bayne
The Bayne of Blog's California Notes

The state’s highest ranking Democrat, Lt. Governor John Garamendi, and former Republican Congessman, Pete McCloskey, announced their endorsements of 3rd Congressional District candidate Dr. Bill Durston at a press conference at the Veteran’s Memorial in Sacramento’s Capitol Park earlier this week. Before leaving the Republican Party, McCloskey lost to Richard Pombo in the 2006 Republican Primary for the 11th District seat now occupied by Jerry McNerney.

For whatever reason, the traditional press didn’t seem interested in this important announcement. The only major news outlet covering the event was News 10. Their story ended up being more about the battle between Durston and Lungren rather than a report on the endorsement.

In spite of the lack of “traditional media,” Ben Van Der Meer, Senior Reporter for PolitickerCA.com and myself were there. Read Ben’s report here.

Before speaking, Durston, McCloskey, Garamendi and Dee Dee Gillian, volunteer Co-Chair of California Veterans for Obama, stood over a relief map of Vietnam as Durston pointed out the places he served with honor and distinction. Garamendi, during his remarks, called Durston “a war hero,” contrasting him with Republican opponent Dan Lungren who received a deferment. Durston, “didn’t run, didn’t seek a deferment” said Garamendi.

Durston 2.jpg McCloskey won the Navy Cross, the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts for his service as a Marine during the Korean War. Before turning against the Vietnam War, he volunteered for it. “You don’t want to see anyone sent to war if there is another way out,” he said. As for the invasion and occupation of Iraq, there was, and is, another way. Durston represents a better way, he said.

Garamendi held nothing back. After noting that Lungren has received “a zero rating from veterans organizations,” he said, “Dan Lungren has failed his duty to veterans,” he failed “his responsibility to the men and women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.” This was reason enough to turn him out of office, he added.

Garamendi also noted Lungren’s abysmal record on the environment and education. Lungren has “refused to stand up for the environment, and has a zero rating in education,” he said. “Send Bill Durston to congress so we can get some things done.”

“This is the man I want representing me,” Garamendi said about Durston. As for Lungren, Garamendi stated he has no use for him, “a man who ducks his responsibility.” He added, “Dan Lungren, time to come home. Time to send Bill Durston to Congress.”

Durston spoke about his support for the troops, one of the areas that his opponent has criticized him on, saying, “I support the sacrifice our troops are making. I do not support sacrificing out troops.” He also noted that bringing home the troops and ending the occupation of Iraq will help to support “our crumbling infrastructure and economy.”

In response to attack mailers sent out by his opponent, Durston rightly says his opponent lied. Checking Durston’s Website, I can find no reference to Lungren’s claim that Durston said he will not vote for “one cent” to be spent on our soldiers in Iraq. Read the actual statement for yourself.

According to Project Vote Smart — where Lungren says he got his information on Durston — “Representative Daniel E. ‘Dan’ Lungren repeatedly refused to provide any responses to citizens on the issues through the 2008 Political Courage Test when asked to do so by national leaders of the political parties, prominent members of the media, Project Vote Smart President Richard Kimball, and Project Vote Smart staff.”

Over the last couple weeks of the campaign it has become increasingly clear that Dan Lungren is beginning to panic. Unfortunately, he is doing so like a cornered animal. Lashing out with anything that he thinks might get him out of his predicament. Though it is not unusual political behavior, it is the behavior of fear — fear that an election may be lost. The “big blue wave,” as it is being called, may yet reach the 3rd Congressional District in California.

By every measure, this should have been an easy win for Lungren. By his own arrogance and severe underestimation of his opponent, Dr. Durston, Lungren may lose. Should Durston win, as seems increasingly possible, it is one “egg on my face” moment I will happily relish.

Randy Bayne is Chair of the Amador County Democratic Party. This article originally appeared in The Bayne of Blogs and is published with the permission of the author.

Posted on October 29, 2008

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