Thread: Democrats name 50th District a race to watch (CALIFORNIA)

Democrats name 50th District a race to watch

By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer

Republicans say Bilbray remains tough to beat

December 21, 2007

In an surprising move, Democrats listed the race for the 50th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, as one of the top 40 to watch.

Doug Thornell, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which raises money for Democratic candidates and ranked the Republican-held district as vulnerable, said they were impressed by Nick Leibham, a Rancho Santa Fe lawyer, challenging Bilbray.

Most impressive was Leibham's ability to raise money, Thornell said.

"Nick is a strong candidate. He had over $150,000 when he filed in July of this year," Thornell said. "That's a good sign for a challenger to do that well."

Democrats have been wrong before, Bilbray said. He beat Democrat Francine Busby in a June 2006 special election to pick a temporary replacement for the now-imprisoned Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Democrats and Republicans poured millions into the campaign.

Bilbray later won a two-year term in November 2006 with 53 percent of the vote against Busby's 43 percent. Republican voters outnumber Democrats 147,000 to 102,000 in the district, according to the latest registrar of voters figures.

"They had a chance. I think Ms. Busby was a pretty good candidate," Bilbray said. "If they want to come after me, fine."

Busby could not be reached for comment Friday.

Leibham, who campaigned for Busby, said he believes his experience as a high school teacher, a congressional aide in Washington and a criminal law prosecutor in the San Diego city attorney's office will mark the difference between him and Bilbray.

"Brian Bilbray is a lifetime politician, and when he wasn't, he was a lobbyist," Leibham said.

The 33-year-old grew up in Portland, Ore., and attended Chaminade University of Honolulu, where he received a bachelor's degree in history. He later attended the University of San Diego, where he received a law degree and master's degree in business administration in 2004.

Leibham said he has been campaigning since June, attending small gatherings, including local Democratic club events. He had earlier declined a request for an interview with the North County Times, saying he was not prepared.

Thornell said the committee believes that Leibham will be a good challenge to Bilbray because the congressman has a voting record that does not represent the district, such as his no vote on the recent energy bill. The law, which was signed by President Bush this week, requires car companies to achieve an industrywide average fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon for vehicles over the next 13 years.

"We think Congressman Brian Bilbray is vulnerable," Thornell said. "He was unimpressive and uninspiring as a congressman."

Bilbray defended his vote against the energy bill, calling it a "subsidy" for corn growers because it requires an increase in the use of ethanol.

Thornell declined to say whether the designation as one of the top 40 congressional races to watch means the committee would help fund Leibham's campaign.

Don McKinney, chairman of the Republican Club of North County, said he disagreed with the Democrat's assessment of the race. He said the committee spent millions backing Busby's campaign and failed to win the seat.

"I think it's preposterous," McKinney said. "Brian Bilbray has done a solid job ... and his voting record aligns perfectly with the people of this district."

Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.


http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/12 ... _21_07.txt

Busby 06012006 - "You don't need papers to vote"

Francine Busby Democrat congressional candidate in 50th Congressional District of California may have told more truth than a candidate can say especially if someone has a tape recorder running. Francine Busby Democrat congressional candidate in 50th Congressional District of California may have told more truth than a candidate can say especially if someone has a tape recorder running.

"Everybody can help, yeah, absolutely,
you can all help," Busby replied, according
to the tape. "You don't need papers for
voting, you don't need to be a registered voter to help." will go down in history as the dumbest thing ever said 4 days before an election.

Correction:The event happend on 6/1/2006 (more) (less)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f9vbngizSI