Press Release from Ron Nehring..
REPUBLICANS DISMISS FILNER MAYORAL CANDIDACY AS DESPERATE RETIREMENT PLAN
Controversial congressman’s announcement follows release of new district maps showing Filner could not be re-elected in 2012
SAN DIEGO — Citing Bob Filner’s decision to run for mayor coming on the heels of new Congressional district maps released this week, San Diego Republicans dismissed the controversial Congressman’s decision to run for mayor as a second-rate retirement plan for a politician who would not be re-elected to the House next year.
“The mayor’s office is a critical leadership post in our city, not a retirement plan for washed up politicians,” said Immediate Past Chairman Ron Nehring. “The new Congressional maps all but guarantee Filner could not survive a primary challenge from Juan Vargas next June, so he’s hoping to use the mayor’s office for a soft landing. That’s not a good reason to run for the top job in city government.”
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission has released draft Congressional district maps which show Filner’s district will become significantly more Latino in 2012, making it all but impossible for him to survive an expected primary challenge from longtime rival State Sen. Juan Vargas (D).
“Bob Filner’s days in the House are numbered, and he knows it,” added Nehring.
TOO LIBERAL FOR SAN DIEGO. Republicans note that in the House, Bob Filner has a voting record more in line with San Francisco than San Diego, putting him far outside the mainstream for a city that has elected moderate Republicans for most of the last four decades.
“For carrying Nancy Pelosi’s water all these years, Bob Filner earned a 100% voting record from the radical left wing group Americans for Democratic Action. While that record may earn him credit in the Democratic cloakroom in Washington, it makes him too extreme for citywide election in San Diego,” said Nehring.
In the House, Filner voted for the passage of President Obama’s unpopular health care plan (HR 3590), against freedom of speech in elections (HR 5175), and against the extension of the Bush tax cuts (HR 4853).
“Bob Filner is too liberal for San Diego. In Filner’s world taxes are too low, gas is too cheap, and labor unions don’t have enough power,” concluded Nehring.
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Comments 8
“Controversial congressman’s announcement follows release of new district maps showing Filner could not be re-elected in 2012.”
Thank you Ron Nehring for today’s laugh-of-the-day.”
Thank you, Chairman Nehring, for drawing attention to a real problem in California politics…the inability of Democrat politicians to find gainful employment off the public dole. Filner’s announcement is just another example of “professional” politicians living off the public rather than serving the public.
I’d like to see someone who gets it run for San Diego Mayor – I’d vote for you, Ron!
Could we do something more than trot out Bob’s voting record from Congress on these issues (in a town with a D edge).
I know it is early but we must have better votes to highlight from Bob “I funneled money to my wife” Filner’s multi-decade long career in Congress. How is his voting record, for example, on Defense Appropriations that keep several tens of thousands of San Diegans employed? Ditto how he voted on FDA reform? How about Freeway funding in a town where 98% of trips are made by car? What about Bob on Water – i.e. Did he join for or against (rhetorical question) on lessening restrictions on Central Valley Water transfers? What about bob on Charter Schools? I am imagining a REALLY nice billboard in Point Loma highlighting how Bob tried to stop Charters like High Tech High.
The problem with Bob is NOT his vote on health care (for most San Diegans). It is that in his 20 year career he ultimately voted PARTY and not what was in the best interest of SAN DIEGO.
You certainly have it right Erik. Trying to beat Bob Filner without a plan that targets issues pertinent to SD voters and without solid ideological answers to those issues will produce a well deserved political suicide. Like him or not he believes that he is right and he will fight for what he believes in. He will beat you up with the political tools at hand and when it is over will not even say, “You are a fine fellow who put up a good fight.” Ask Juan Vargas. Do the Republicans have a person with an ideological belief system worth fighting for and will he fight?
Nehring calling Filner a “washed up politician” just made my day. Seriously, that was great.
Mole – you missed the point. I think these votes are suspect. But I also think we have to recognize voter registration realities. NATIONALIZING the election – good for Filner. LOCALIZING IT – Bad for Bob. He so infrequently bucked his caucus that I am SURE there are some nuggets that will make Bob “I funneled campaign contributions to my wife” Filner squirm.
Erik,
You know how that goes,”He who squirms last, squirms best.” Filner will certainly look for Weiners in the closet.