Rep. George Radanovich, a six-term Republican, who has a relatively safe seat because of a redistricting system in California that protects incumbents, may be a bit worried about his election chances this time around. Democrat T.J. Cox is expected to be a tough opponent, although any Democrat is a huge underdog in this GOP district. But Radanovich is spending a lot more time in the Valley than in years past, which is an indication that he knows he won't be able to waltz to re-election in November.
Here’s another hint that Radanovich may be concerned: Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the new House majority leader, reportedly will be in Fresno next week for a fund-raiser for the Mariposa Republican. The Radanovich event is scheduled for noon Wednesday at the Copper River Country Club, according to those who have been e-mailed details of the fund-raiser. Boehner is making a California swing, and has added the Radanovich event onto his schedule.
Does Cox, a chemical engineer and business owner from Fresno, have any chance of beating Radanovich? Cox supporters say Radanovich has lost touch with the 19th District and knows he is in a lot of trouble.
But Valley Republican guru Michael Der Manouel Jr. countered with this statement in the FlashReport: "Cox could spend $10 million and Nancy Pelosi could spend another $10 million and Congressman Radanovich wouldn't lose."
Here's a link to the Der Manouel post: http://www.flashreport.org/blog0a.php?postID=2005103011082502&post_offsetP=0&authID=2005092213375049
Here's a link to an earlier column by John Ellis in The Bee on the 19th District race:
http://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/ellis/story/11413518p-12157704c.html
Mike Der Manouel Jr. is absolutely right. George Radanovich will be easily re-elected mostly because he is doing a great job representing his district.
Frequent fundraising is necessary for being in congress and Congressman Radanovich has frequently had big names come to speak at his events. This is no big deal.
To think for a second that there will be a close race in the 19th Congressional when the incumbent Congressman is doing a great job and with the heavy Republican registration is nonsense.
By the way, removing John Ellis's column from the Bee was a big mistake. He did more to keep politicians honest and provided more honest political information to your readers than the rest of your newspaper combined.
What yardstick is available to judge Congressman Radanovich? His good business sense? Living in the district and staying in touch with folks in the 19th? Hard work? Honesty? I firmly disagree with Mr. Der Manouel's assumption that the Congressman is not vulnerable.
Simply put, "absent George" is none of the above. Voters, Republican or Democrat, admire hard work and those who care about our Valley will shun the ethics in business and lack of devotion to duty by this Congressman.
There are many business, hard-working, non-Washington insiders available to serve us in Congress over this Congressman. T.J. Cox has taken the challenge. Let the voters decide who is lazy and who is not.
I strongly disagree with Mr. Hutson's assumption of Congressman Radanovich’s “absent" and of Mr. Boren’s “hints.”
Simply put, the people of the 19th District have seen what George Radanovich can do and have continued to support and to elect him to office.
As a six-term House member, we can now call him Chairman Radanovich of the House Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. With this new position, Radanovich has been able to become more visible while working on issues such as the Friant lawsuit. He has also taken a bi-partisan lead on immigration reform.
While Radanovich’s opponent will turn to the ultra-liberal Democrat Party and their leaders, such as Nancy Pelosi, Radanovich will bring to the Valley, his good friend, new House Majority Leader John Boehner.
With early support of Boehner’s leadership, Radanovich understood the need for new leadership and a return to the agenda that brought Republicans to power.
The voters will decide and will reelected Radanovich back into office!
In choosing for or against Radanovich, I think we must also think of our national picture. Huge deficits, an unwinnable war, an arrogant administration not listening to the public.
So, it is time for the public to protest. The redistricing has closed out many moderates, and this district is no different. As a protest against national policies, but also redistricting, we should vote against Radanovich.
And, yes, I never see him about anywhere. He has become part of the arrogant group of Washington insiders.