Thread: OC TO DC - I LOVE THIS ONE

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDA ... e=20051207


Illegal Immigration: When a one-issue activist from a fringe party holds the Republican candidate to under 45% in GOP territory, it's time to take notice.

If you're looking for the Orange County of pop culture and political lore, you'll find it in California's 48th Congressional District. This is the quintessential O.C., from storied beaches to rock-ribbed Republicanism. Outside the college enclave of U.C. Irvine, this is turf where the GOP reigns and its candidates usually win in a walk.

Christopher Cox, now heading the Securities and Exchange Commission, won 65% of the vote when he last ran for the House there in 2004. George W. Bush got 58.3% to John Kerry's 40.4%.

Tuesday's victory by Republican state Sen. John Campbell, in a special election to fill the seat vacated by Cox, needs to be seen in this historical context. The outcome was never in serious doubt, but Campbell's 44.7% share of the vote is not exactly a mandate. A whole lot of people who normally would have voted Republican didn't. The party needs to understand why.

Campbell faced four opponents. Two, from the Green and Libertarian parties, polled too little to make a difference. Another was a Democrat, Steve Young, who managed just 28% â€â€

OUTSTANDING ARTICLE!!

GO JIM GILCHRIST!!!