To JT wrote on Oct 19, 2006 3:13 AM:You called it. As a true glutton for punishment, I'll try to continue to wade through the decisions that are still to be decided. A wise man once said that we have a republic but the question was whether or not we could keep it. Honest Abe, we miss your plain-spoken wisdom.

Ron wrote on Oct 19, 2006 6:23 AM:What a great piece today Jim. Your right, It was a free ride for Busby and all the Democrats... How could they lose? Off year election, into the 6th year of a low polling President, a Congressional polling in the teens, corruption, sex.... The Democrats have it all. If they can not win the House and the Senate with all of this going in their favor, what does that say about how they are perceived? If we have a "Wave" election, meaning 30-50 seats roll into Democratic hands, then I think they have a chance to come back as a relevent party. However, if they barely win with a 10 seat majority, they will not be able to claim their "ideas" won the day, or even that Americans chose them over Republicans. If the Democrats get what they want, which is, "Vote for us, cause the other guys are bad", voter then are not voting for Democrat ideas, as much as they are voting out and against Republicans. My point being, "It's all about the Republicans", and nothing to do at all about the Democrats, or their so-called plans or ideas. With no where else to go, as there are only two parties, they may become winners but default only.

Independent Ron wrote on Oct 19, 2006 6:28 AM:Jim - We beg to differ. What position did you take when Bilbray nearly bankrupt the county with his single minded support of the trash burning plant in San Marcos? We'd all be breathing rather toxic fumes if that had happened. He called all of us NIMBYs for not supporting his position. Remember, he was the Imperial Beach mayor who represented south county then? Then he went on to represent them in Congress. Now he's here in north county, conveniently positioned after the Cunningham scandal (which everyone wholeheartedly denied for ever so long). Mudslinging is a time honored political tactic. If you need instruction, call local pundit Jack Orr. He's a master at mudslinging. Bilbray has not shown up for debates, and has some of the arrogance that Cunningham showed in many elections: "it's a safe seat, so why show up for a debate? I have important government business to do." Open debate and forums are important for the democratic process, such as it is. So where's Bilbray?

Marcus wrote on Oct 19, 2006 7:52 AM:Jim, you hit the nail right on the head! It's about time somebody called it like it is.

James wrote on Oct 19, 2006 8:42 AM:And what if she was telling the truth? I know its a crazy concept for a Republican to understand. Then I guess you would be the one hurting democracy. yet no comment about Bilbray and his dirty little tricks.

Wow! GREAT wrote on Oct 19, 2006 9:15 AM:article. I am a Democrat voting for Bilbray. Even Busby's web page is a joke. She claims she is against amnesty but she supports John McCains "comprehensive" immigration bill which calls for fast tracking ILLEGAL aliens. Does she think the voting public is stupid?

Beverly wrote on Oct 19, 2006 11:11 AM:If Bilbray is such a sterling representative of the 50th, why isn't he willing to debate Busby on the issues. So far, all I've heard from the Bilbray camp is that he is "tough on immigration." Where's the beef? What has he done besides bloviate on this? He has been in Washington for months now and has 1) voted himself a raise, 2)voted to lift the ban on offshore oil drilling, 3) rubberstamped the torture bill Bush pushed through Congress, 4)sponsored an "ethics" reform bill on legislative earmarks that was deliberately set to expire three weeks later, and 5)recycled smear mailings against Busby. You accuse Busby of name-calling, but the ugly mailings Bilbray has sent to my house (12 in the past 10 days) are disgusting.

GG wrote on Oct 19, 2006 11:56 AM:You say Bilbray talks about the "issues". When does he do this? He's avoided any debate with Busby and the ONLY "issue" he mentions is immigration. His party has been in power for how many years? and they've DONE NOTHING. What about Iraq, N. Korea, health care, etc. etc.? You choose not to mention the slanderous leaflets trashing Busby sent to voters by the RNC. Oh, but that's not Bilbray. Yeah. Bilbray's lucky the 50th is full of people whose only requirement is an R beside the name because he certainly has no interest in this district, only in being in Congress. What a guy.

Jim Trageser wrote on Oct 19, 2006 1:38 PM:To Independent Ron: My old columns from the '90s are no longer online (or never were), but I opposed the trash-burning plant at San Marcos and chastised Bilbray for it even after he left the Board of Supervisors and ran for Congress. And when he declared for the 50th, I wrote a column reminding folks about his long-standing animus toward North County: http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/10/19/entertainment/music/14_09_4810_18_06.txt.

Jim Trageser wrote on Oct 19, 2006 3:26 PM:Dang - wrong link; the previous Bilbray column is at http://nctimes.com/articles/2006/01/19/opinion/trageser/19_33_001_18_06.txt.

Leigh wrote on Oct 19, 2006 5:23 PM:Have you checked your mailbox lately Jim? I have received no less than 10 mail pieces from Brian Bilbray and the NRCC attacking Francine Busby with outright lies and misrepresentations of the truth. Have you ever gone to hear Busby speak Jim? I have and she speaks about a wide variety of issues that matter to all of us. She isn't a one trick pony like Brian Bilbray. ...

No more yak wrote on Oct 19, 2006 6:14 PM:This is the third race this year between these candidates. Is there anyone who has not made up their mind? The 50CD as been without a representative long enough. At least Brian is working and has saved the Cross and has brought the invasion of illegal immigrants to the national spotlight like no one else in history has done. If Busby wins it could only occur because of a national wave surely not her qualifications for this office or debating abilities. Both of which remain at the local school board level. Face it folks, she might be a nice lady but this is no job for a rookie!

Yakity Yak... wrote on Oct 19, 2006 9:40 PM:I'd take a rookie any day over a revolving door lobbyist/Bilbray/now Congressman. If the "professional Republicans" can get us into this much debt, run a war that is bankrupting the country, and won't show up for a debate...yeah, I'll take the rookie. After Enron, Cunningham, Foley, Ney, ah heck, throw Cheney and Rove in for good measure, makes you wonder what a stunningly bad job the "professionals" have done. Billions and billions.

Think4yourself wrote on Oct 21, 2006 6:39 PM:I knew Busby was a phony in the original run off when her campaign ads and signage had no mention of her party affiliation. Maybe it was there in 4 point type or in code or something. I guess if I was a Democrat I would hide my head in shame, too. Busby is an embarrassment. Can anyone tell me one thing she is for other than hammering on Republicans and trying to make the other candidate look bad? Just one thing. It's a sad commentary on elective politics that this is the choice we have to make. The political system has become so distasteful that competent people won't go near putting their name in to run. It's not worth all of the personal attacks and hypocrisy.

Mark wrote on Oct 24, 2006 8:38 PM:The "system worked" in putting away Cunningham? Jim, what are you smoking? A hard working investigative reporter rooted out Duke's illegitimate dealings. Bilbray used his sick mother as an excuse to claim residency in the 50th. He's a carpet bagger and an opportunist. I'll bet you we find out that he is under investigation. You think Busby just made this up? Give me a break!