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Pombo for Congress — but he must clear ethical clouds

Dean best candidate for supervisor; Lobenberg clear pick for San Joaquin County sheriff

Updated: Saturday, October 14, 2006 7:39 AM PDT
Comments (94 comment(s))

We are endorsing incumbent Richard Pombo for Congress.

Pombo is bright, amiable and adheres to solid conservative values. He is against higher taxes and he has worked diligently on behalf of veterans.

He has risen to a position of substantial power in Congress, serving as chairman of the House Resources Committee.

His opponent, Democrat Jerry McNerney, is a thoughtful, soft-spoken and decent fellow.

But McNerney is a political newbie. While he would be an excellent college professor (he holds a doctorate in mathematics) he would, in our view, be a relatively ineffectual member of Congress.

Yet this endorsement comes with reservations.

There are fair questions being raised about Pombo's ethics. He has received campaign donations from the convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He has received money from the Indian tribes whose fortunes he controls as a legislative leader.

Critics contend he has traded financial favor for legislative action.

Pombo has also continued to employ his wife, Annette, as a campaign consultant.

None of this reflects well on the rancher from Tracy.

We hope that, once re-elected, Pombo will take pains to clear the ethical clouds above him. As a veteran leader of Congress, he can and should use his power to push for higher standards of conduct and accountability.

Dean for supervisor

We endorsed Richard Dean for supervisor in the June primary. We are underlining that endorsement for the upcoming general election.

Dean is a retired Lodi police lieutenant and a member of the Lodi Unified School Board. He knows how to deal with people — and with complexity.

He should be able to find common ground in the search for a buffer between Stockton and Lodi.

With his background in law enforcement, Dean is well-equipped to address the need for more deputy presence and faster response times in north San Joaquin County.

His opponent, Ken Vogel, is a farmer and retired school administrator who has served on the Linden Unified School District Board. Vogel is methodical, experienced, reflective. A good man.

We believe Dean, however, will be the more capable supervisor.

Lobenberg for sheriff

We liked retired CHP chief Dennis Lobenberg in the June primary. Apparently, members of the San Joaquin County sheriff's office like him, too.

He's earned the endorsement of the captains, lieutenants, sergeants, correctional officers and deputy sheriffs.

It says something when members of a sheriff's office heartily — and unanimously — endorse an outsider.

It says Lobenberg is a uniquely talented candidate. And is says the members of this beleaguered department are ready for a change.

Former Sheriff Baxter Dunn left in disgrace after being convicted on federal charges.

The department is in sore need of new leadership and an image boost now. Lobenberg will provide it. He is a strong administrator and an unusually able communicator. He will restore trust in the department and lead it skillfully into the future.

Lobenberg faces Assistant Sheriff Steve Moore on Nov. 7. Moore may be a competent manager who knows the workings of the department, but he is simply not the fresh breeze the department needs now.

County voters are lucky to have a law enforcement leader of Lobenberg's caliber ready and quite able to take on this difficult job.

Lodi News-Sentinel

First published: Saturday, October 14, 2006

Reader Feedback

s wrote on Oct 26, 2006 11:25 AM:

" Pombo getting re-elected is lose lose for Republicans. he won't have any control in Democratic house and that is if he is not convicted of crimes related to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 25, 2006 4:53 PM:

" As a lawyer, I don't get the copyright violation webmaster, but I'll comply. It's my "fair use" to cite these sources and the LNS not the author only a electronic board in a public forum. I'll restrict my use of these other media outlets to incorperated passages that I author and will quote less if that makes the LNS more comfortable. "

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California Voter wrote on Oct 25, 2006 3:04 PM:

" The Record endorsed Pombo for re-election today and their editorial is really worth reading. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=NEWS2007 It may be the only endorsement I've ever seen where the writers couldn't find a single positive thing to say. After 14 years in Congress, Pombo has nothing to show for his salary but a mountain of lies, corruption, and ethical lapses. Hopefully the voters will realize that, when every Pombo endorsement comes with a "but" in the title, it's time to kick a certain incumbent's butt out of office. "

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Webmaster wrote on Oct 25, 2006 1:45 PM:

" Ajax: After some discussion, we've decided we're uncomfortable with the possible copyright violation of quoting long passages of text from other sources. If you'd like to submit a comment with the URL of the source material, we'd be happy to post that. Thanks. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 24, 2006 10:32 AM:

" Of course what is even more depraved is when Pombo voted against paying for better prosthetic devices for soldiers who lost limbs in Iraq and voted to cut $1.8 BIllion from veteran's health care programs. See 2003 CQ Vote 456. That's right, our soldiers who are left without limbs from fighting in Afganistan and Iraq can thank Pombo for insuring that they don't get the prosthetic devices they deserve. Check out the congressional record...it's all there. Pombo is not a real Republican, he has his own party and he's it. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 24, 2006 10:27 AM:

" Pombo voted against a pay raise for our troops but voted to raise his own pay. See 2004 CQ Vote 478, and 2003 Vote 463. Pombo voted against bonuses for soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afganistan. See 2003 CQ Vote 17. " Yet at the same time pays his wife hundreds of thousands of daollars from menial takss like bookeeping on his campaing right out of the fat cat contributions he takes. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 24, 2006 10:24 AM:

" What really bothers me at the most fundamental level is how Pombo allegdly supports the war against terror but when it comes down to the actual votes. That's right oh, the actual congressional votes cast by Congressman Pombo, it shows that he undermines our troops and yet at the same time votes to incrrease his own pay. Pombo's votes show a moral depravity that is disgusting. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 24, 2006 10:16 AM:

" If Pombo gets back on the job, odds are he won't be there long because indictments for his Abramoff, Indian gaming and the other "made-up" as you call them--dirty politics will catch up with him and like Ney and Cunningham, he'll do time. It's plain to see that Pombo's corrupt. Voting for Pombo, or endorsing Pombo excuses corruption in government. What it says is that our government is for sale and that democracy doesn't matter anymore. With that sort of effect--why bother voting at all? "

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oh wrote on Oct 23, 2006 10:57 PM:

" And we need BART or Light Rail up and down the state!Heck Disneyland had the monorail in the Sixties to tell us that!Wasn't that a big enough clue?Whats up with every body lets get on it! "

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oh wrote on Oct 23, 2006 10:47 PM:

" By the way I think we need nuclear power also!I hope Pombo works on that when he gets back on the job for us!And the bashing is out of the way for him to focus back on his job!Go Pombo!Get on it man! "

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oh wrote on Oct 23, 2006 10:35 PM:

" Do you think that I agree with what the media says!I can tell you they have in the past wrote things about me that were not true!I go by what I feel I agree with!And think is best, not for Gov.parties!I don't like all of Pombo's stands for! But most I do!I feel a lot of what is said about him is just dirty politics!And it is just what I said POLITICS!! "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 23, 2006 8:43 PM:

" Pombo voted against paying for better prosthetic devices for soldiers who lost limbs in Iraq and voted to cut $1.8 BIllion from veteran's health care programs. See 2003 CQ Vote 456. Pombo is also one of 13 most corrupt members of congress according to the independent National Journal. 9/26/05. As a Republican who cares more about my country than ideology, I cannot fathom voting for Pombo? If you can--I'd like to know how and why. The Hon. Pete McClosky is right about Pombo--he's bad for the U.S. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 23, 2006 8:39 PM:

" I'm not concerned about members of congress from other districts, just the one that represents ours. Pombo voted against a pay raise for our troops but voted to raise his own pay. See 2004 CQ Vote 478, and 2003 Vote 463. Pombo voted against bonuses for soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afganistan. See 2003 CQ Vote 17. "

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Leonard wrote on Oct 23, 2006 3:58 PM:

" Sorry, I should have said "four or five voters". I forgot about Skilos. "

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Leonard wrote on Oct 23, 2006 3:58 PM:

" Attacks: The numerous lies of this President, his neo con handlers and their toadies are a matter of historical record. I don't know if I would call the three or four voters who still support the Axis of Incompetence but their apparent gulliability does challenge the limits of credibility. "

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T & C Attacks wrote on Oct 22, 2006 10:45 PM:

" Now T&C thinks people who disagree are a bunch of liars. "neocon associates. Apparently lying seems to be their main trait." Nice touch T&C... there can never be too much name calling can there? "

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Leonard wrote on Oct 22, 2006 2:58 PM:

" Ajax: You know, when you first started posting here I would never have guessed that I would end up spending so much time agreeing with you. Thanks for all the info on Pombo, you seem to have really done your homework. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 21, 2006 12:07 AM:

" Ajax: That's a pretty good report. This is starting to sound illegal. I will be on the lookout for more. Respectfully, I would like to offer an amendment to the theory. Do you recall Pombo's district being gerrymandered over to a Democratic population in the East Bay, by Gov. Davis? Subsequently, the VicePres and Pres have been visiting Stockton and the East Bay on campaign for Pombo. My theory is that these campaigns are his loyalties. Connected people then make the campaign donations. Hence the connection. "

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OTH wrote on Oct 20, 2006 7:16 PM:

" To California Voter......I believe the Stkn will or may have already done so. "

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California Voter wrote on Oct 20, 2006 6:12 PM:

" Campaign update: At least three more newspapers endorsed Jerry McNerney today. For those of you keeping track at home, that means he has the endorsements of the Modesto Bee, the [Tri-Valley] Independent, the San Jose Mercury News, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sacramento Bee, the Pleasanton Weekly, and the Danville Weekly. From the biggest cities to the smallest, it looks like almost everyone has decided that it would be good to have some integrity in Congress. Has any newspaper other than the Lodi News-Sentinel endorsed Pombo? "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 20, 2006 8:47 AM:

" Uh oh: dozen editorals and 2 scores of newspaper articles have laid out in detail why Pombo is "doing what he's doing", even Pombo's manditory campaign disclosures demonstrate that Pombo is pocketing huge $ from big oil. Like the $ Pombo took from Abramoff and his friends for the votes they wanted, Pombo is delivering for his favorite constituant: whoever pays the most. Pombo's congressional pal Ney recently pled guilty for similar antics and is doing hard time. It's time to say no more to Pombo. "

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oh wrote on Oct 20, 2006 12:05 AM:

" Those windmills are the biggest grosses brid killing things that are no better then oil wells. "

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oh wrote on Oct 19, 2006 11:56 PM:

" We need to tap are own OIL!That is the reason he is doing what he is doing!Not for the campaign money!Its just that they want it too.So they want to help with it.Don't be stupit we need to get are own OIL!Why do what we are doing in the middle east!We dont have to!Save their Lives then over there if you think we are there for the oil. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 19, 2006 5:01 PM:

" No on Pombo = yes on ethics "

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ok wrote on Oct 19, 2006 4:18 PM:

" Pombo and his friends are getting to fat [$]He has been in office to long time to go! "

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bm wrote on Oct 19, 2006 1:23 PM:

" "Yes on Pombo" "

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California Voter wrote on Oct 19, 2006 7:28 AM:

" For a better editorial about Richard Pombo, see today's New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/19/opinion/19thu3.html Here's a taste: "Mr. Pombo, who is chairman of the House Resources Committee and is facing a tight race for re-election, has been well-financed by oil and gas producers. He has done his best to give away public resources and throw away prudent restraints on energy exploration." "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 18, 2006 11:33 PM:

" There's good reason that many republican's refuse to vote or endorse Pombo. The evidence of Pombo's cooruption in a wide variety of areas and his work to undermine our soldiers and vets. I am a republican, but I love my country more than an the pretense of an ideology and while retaining Pombo may be attractive for our selfish interests (if the GOP maintains control of the house), it excuses Pombo's reprehensible conduct for our selfish needs. Pete McClosky was the best choice for a GOP candidate. "

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to Senior wrote on Oct 18, 2006 9:46 PM:

" check your facts Susan Hitchcock belongs to the GOP. insider. "

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OTH wrote on Oct 18, 2006 8:55 PM:

" If I remember right Pombo said he was only going to serve 2 terms. Money must have been to good to walk away from. "

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Baja wrote on Oct 18, 2006 8:42 PM:

" As far as I am concerned is the ethics of the LNS, not Pombo. LNS sold the citizens of Lodi out on water clean up. "

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oh wrote on Oct 18, 2006 8:20 PM:

" Tell me why is San Francisco full of Dems?I think Foley is one sick person!Ethics how can some say that?Whats the word (sick hypocrites)!But we don't go there right? "

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oh wrote on Oct 18, 2006 8:10 PM:

" Hey John Wayne-I got a call from Pombo to talk on a conference call!I didn't ask him to!I was very impressed how he listen to other veiws of the general public!It was not private!I think he is as honest as any other politician we have!So, Ia'm going to vote Pombo!Bash all you want it is not changing me at all! "

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oh wrote on Oct 18, 2006 7:50 PM:

" Yes on Pombo! "

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Senior wrote on Oct 18, 2006 5:54 PM:

" Talking about corrupt democrats, what do you think of Susan Hitchcock? "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 18, 2006 4:26 PM:

" Well skillos here's more: Pombo is in the pocket of Big Oil--moving to open California's coasts to offshore drilling. The House will debate Pombo's bill (H.R. 4761) on Thursday which would lift the 25-year-old bipartisan moratorium on off-shore drilling. "Big Oil companies have given Rep. Pombo $230,000 in campaign contributions to encourage him to hand over billions in tax cuts, taxpayer-funded subsidies, and push for more drilling "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 18, 2006 4:24 PM:

" A little-known provision in the current House budget reconciliation could precipitate one of the largest land giveaways in American history. The provision, spearheaded by Rep. Richard Pombo of California, would sell millions of acres of public land including land inside or adjacent to national parks, and designated wilderness areas. Oil and gas companies, foreign mining corporations or anyone who is willing to pay $1,000 per acre could buy the land and develop it in any way they wanted. "

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TruthSeeker wrote on Oct 18, 2006 3:13 PM:

" Hope I'm not too late to add a comment. Most of us agree Pombo needs to be fired. You may not totally endorse McNerney, but he's our strongest hope. Try www.jerrymcnerney.org check his positions on issues, send him whatever you can afford, request a lawn sign, walk precincts, etc. Guess what? YOU are McNerney's only hope! "

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Skilos wrote on Oct 18, 2006 12:21 PM:

" OTH, Where specifically has Richard Pombo voted to give 'Big Oil' billions in tax cuts? I would certainly like to research such information. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 18, 2006 11:32 AM:

" OTH: Term limits, except for the presidency, are unconstitutional. In the House, we lost a good Rep. Nancy Pelosi; she voluntarily accepted a term limit and split. She was a good, constitutional vote. I have observed that the presidency creates a "lame-duck" president the instant he is elected to the second term. (Nobody can do anything about Bush, because he is not running for re-election.) "

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OTH wrote on Oct 18, 2006 9:10 AM:

" Skilos........Why is Pombo working to give big oil billions in tax cuts? "

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OTH wrote on Oct 18, 2006 9:08 AM:

" To Ajax........The gentlemen you named all have one thing in common. They have been RE-ELECTED too many times. I'm not warm and fuzzy about McNerney but we have to start somewhere with all politicians who have been in office too long. The same thing is happening on some level in state gov. They get termed out of one office and just run for something else. Why not a law that says they are termed out they can't run again for 4 years? Break the cycle. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 18, 2006 8:53 AM:

" Reading the return mail gives me extra, sometimes detailed information about a legislator's opinion, and their intentions on how they are going to vote. The Central America Free Trade Agreement was so important to me, that I wrote almost monthly about it. Pombo's return mail assured me that he agreed, so I focused my frustations toward the Senators. Boxer: success! Letters are very important, and watching the responses is very frustrating. Today, I haven't written for 3 months, mainly out of frustration. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 18, 2006 8:46 AM:

" About writing: One trick: Sometimes I postulate that a representative doesn't check who is a constituent and who is not, especially when district lines are re-drawn. Thus I write a representatives from other districts. Since I live 1/2 mile from Cardozza's district, although not in it, I write him anyway. He responds with a position statement on the topic, just the same as Pombo. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 18, 2006 8:39 AM:

" C'mon Daniel: Yes. I have friends. We meet monthly (in Lodi). We have journalism on what's current, and we write. Since very few people actually do this, a legislator counts each letter as representing 800-1500 actual constitutients. If mailed to WashD.C. (which I do because the address is easy to get), they're screened for anthrax, sorted by topic, and counted (not read). If mailed to local office, I think better attention, and one can get to know the office workers. (I know one.) "

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oh wrote on Oct 17, 2006 11:59 PM:

" I still like Rep. The Dems.In San Fran must be confused!About Foley! "

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Carl B. wrote on Oct 17, 2006 9:14 PM:

" My family and I still cant beleve the LNS endorsed this power drunk crook. This man does not have anything to do with a true Republican platform.The only reason my family buys this rag is for the local angle,everything else in it insults our intelillgence. McNerney is getting our vote. "

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C'mon Daniel wrote on Oct 17, 2006 8:10 PM:

" Show us that letter and that you have the same credibility factor as your neocon associates. Apparently lying seems to be their main trait. "

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California Voter wrote on Oct 17, 2006 4:36 PM:

" Here's another odd thing about this endorsement: It doesn't compare the candidates on a single issue. In fact, it tells us nothing about how they would vote. For Pombo there's only the platitude that he "is against higher taxes." For McNerney there's even less - not one policy position at all. Does this really contribute anything to the debate? A meaningful editorial would identify major issues (like immigration or the war in Iraq) and compare the candidates' positions. Without such a contrast, the endorsement is hollow, and it surely won't persuade many voters. "

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Dan wrote on Oct 17, 2006 4:09 PM:

" I have to ask; Who writes this stuff? I knew the Pombo Worship portion was shameless partisanship, but said nothing about the Lobenberg endorsement until I had the chance to talk to more of my sheriff dept. friends. All 5 of them, without exception, personally favor Steve Moore. So how does the LNS come up with the invention that "...members of a sheriff's office heartily — and *unanimously* — endorse [Lobenberg]"?? Is it wishful thinking? Is it an outright lie? Not one out of five favored Lobenberg. Again, who writes this stuff? "

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California Voter wrote on Oct 17, 2006 1:57 PM:

" Three things amaze me about this endorsement. Here's the first: It says that Pombo is a committee chairman while McNerney is a "newbie," but it ignores the fact that the Republicans are almost certain to lose their majority in the House. Without that majority, Pombo will lose his chairmanship and a Democrat - ANY Democrat - will be in a better position to help the district. That doesn't automatically mean we should vote for the Democrat, but it does reverse the calculations on who will be powerful and effective. Shouldn't the editors mention that? "

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John Wayne wrote on Oct 17, 2006 1:19 PM:

" If the conservatives really care about “morals and character” or voting for “a good man” then they need to put aside stubborn party allegiance for one second in their lives and vote for McNerney. At the end of day, WE ALL KNOW McNerney is the more ethical person in this race. BTW, you actually see Mcnerney's blog, unlike the lame, no-guts, private Pombo blog. Be a man Pombo, and open that blog to the public. "

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Sandra K wrote on Oct 17, 2006 10:45 AM:

" Definition: Political corruption: 'In broad terms, political corruption is the misuse by government officials of their governmental powers for illegitimate, usually secret, private gain.' Out with corruption no matter what. Hey Daniel, do you have a copy of that letter he wrote you saying he would oppose it?? Thats a great contradiction to spread around the web. If so can you emiail it to sandrakierulff@yahoo.com ? Thanks "I had written to Pombo myself for 1-1/2 years before the vote, and he had always reassured me that he opposed it." "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 17, 2006 8:33 AM:

" as corrupt and ineffective. What really gets me about Pombo is his disrespect towards soldiers: Pombo voted against a pay raise for our troops but voted to raise his own pay. See 2004 CQ Vote 478, and 2003 Vote 463. Pombo voted against bonuses for soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afganistan. See 2003 CQ Vote 17. Pombo voted against paying for better prosthetic devices for soldiers who lost limbs in Iraq and voted to cut $1.8 BIllion from veteran's health care programs. See 2003 CQ Vote 456. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 17, 2006 8:29 AM:

" Pombo takes massive political gifts and funnels it to his own pockets via his wife's pay (ala DeLay--who is also being prosecuted). When you look at why Ney was indicted and convicted you will see why Pombo is sure to follow. When you examine Pombo's record you see few actions to benefit the people he represents and the majority of his efforts to serve the people and companys who have contributed the most to his pockets. The republican primary challenger Pete McClosky has Pombo pegged right as "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 17, 2006 8:24 AM:

" Never ventured to Soros website, but I read the newspapers and have been closely following the antics of our congressional representative and his dealings with Abramoff as well as his votes on matters that affect our troops and our vets. Pombo has a despicable record on all those scores. If you care about soldiers and our efforts in Iraq then you cannot vote for Pombo with a clear conscience. Addidtioally when you look at what Pombo reports he pays his wife from campaign funds it is obvious that the money "

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Skilos wrote on Oct 16, 2006 11:15 PM:

" Ajax, you should stay away from George Soros websites. If every Congressmen was like Pombo we would not be so dependant upon foreign oil. "

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tripping wrote on Oct 16, 2006 8:16 PM:

" right on oth. my thoughts exactly. if they are corrupt vote them out. if the next guy is bad vote them out. i do not believe in rewarding somebody for acting irresponsible. yes on mcnerney "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 16, 2006 6:23 PM:

" Amazing to actually think the scondrel Pombo is doing a good job! That must have been some tour. I'm a registered republican and I want my party to continue to guide this country, however, the batch of congressmen like Pombo, Ney, Doolittle, DeLay and Cunningham amoung a few others are not true republicans but are self serving con's (hopefully all convicts soon) who are trading away votes for money from special interest goups and selling off our future to pork projects for large campaign contributions "

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Concerned wrote on Oct 16, 2006 6:03 PM:

" I think it's pretty irresponsible of the News-Sentinel to endorse such a corrupt, ineffective candidate for Congress. Richard Pombo is a corrupt official. The News-Sentinel should be exposing his abuses of power, not patting him on the back and wishing him luck in the election. "

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Skilos wrote on Oct 16, 2006 3:59 PM:

" Way to go LNS, earlier this year I visited in Washington, D.C. One of Richard Pombo's aids gave me a private tour of the Capitol. I was treated as a VIP, very memorable indeed. I happen to like what Richard Pombo is doing in Washington and will vote for him that he may continue his good work. "

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OTH wrote on Oct 16, 2006 3:10 PM:

" Daniel.........I am not wild about the other candidate either but Pombo's got to go. We need to breakup the stranglehold he has on that office. The way I look at we can always vote the new guy out in 2 years. "

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2XLT wrote on Oct 16, 2006 2:16 PM:

" Campaign Slogan Idea: Vote for Corrupt Pombo because he has an "R" by his name! "

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Skilos wrote on Oct 16, 2006 1:34 PM:

" Daniel; I agree, if the Democats win the House and Senate they will immediately show the American people who they really are. As a result no Democrat could win the Presidency in 2008. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 16, 2006 12:44 PM:

" Dixon, et al: I did check and Pombo voted against a pay raise for our troops but voted to raise his own pay. See 2004 CQ Vote 478, and 2003 Vote 463. Pombo voted against bonuses for soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afganistan. See 2003 CQ Vote 17. Pombo voted against paying for better prosthetic devices for soldiers who lost limbs in Iraq and voted to cut $1.8 BIllion from veteran's health care programs. See 2003 CQ Vote 456. Hon. Pete McClosky who opossed Pombo in the primary has Pombo pegged as bad news. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 16, 2006 9:14 AM:

" Incidentally, I have spoken to the opposing candidate, and he doesn't give me a good feeling either. In my opinion, this is a lose-lose election. I think it would be good to have a Democrat for 2 years, just because I expect he will oppose the Republican president (for the wrong reasons). We can only become winners if we educate the general public. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 16, 2006 8:55 AM:

" JamesC: The constitution simplifies international matters. Only congress has the power to regulate trade, not a foreign body or the president. Only congress has the power to declare war. If the (foreign) UN or NATO wish to engage war, neither the president nor congress are obligated to commit troops, and if they do, the American troops are not obligated to follow orders from a foreign commander. (Reference: court martial of Private Michael New.) Every dime of foreign aid to dictatorship regimes (oops-humanitarian aid) is unconstitutional. (Ref: Davy Crockett, Sen. Tennessee) "

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Daniel Hutchins wrote on Oct 16, 2006 8:34 AM:

" JamesC: I've been writing 2-3 letters to Pombo, and our 2 senators almost monthly for 5 years, and once I met him. While I agreeded with Boxer on only 2 votes, and not ever with Feinstein, they did informed me ahead of time what their vote was going to be. Conversely, Pombo usually responded with a conservative response but on the most critical items reversed his vote, favoring the president. This is neo-conservative. I am stating facts of my experience, and formulating a thesis of what will result if he is re-elected. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 16, 2006 8:16 AM:

" Abramoff (spelling) "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 16, 2006 8:13 AM:

" Pombo voted against a pay raise for our troops but voted to raise his own pay. See 2004 CQ Vote 478, and 2003 Vote 463. Pombo voted against bonuses for soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afganistan. See 2003 CQ Vote 17. Pombo voted against paying for better prosthetic devices for soldiers who lost limbs in Iraq and voted to cut $1.8 BIllion from veteran's health care programs. See 2003 CQ Vote 456. Pombo is also one of 13 most corrupt members of congress according to the independent National Journal. 9/26/05. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 16, 2006 8:13 AM:

" Skilos: I am referring to massive shutdown of the steel industry because the foreign WTO demanded that the war president Bush remove tarriffs on steel, and he complied (it's congress's job). In the midwest, widespread fabric industries shut down because their jobs went overseas. In Texas, Dell Computers shut down American manufacturing, to overseas. Just about all telephone calls for technical support on computers is bounced off a satellite to foreigner countries. One Abramive-Foley venture was to claim garments "made in USA," on an American island near China, with Chinese slaves. "

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Jim wrote on Oct 16, 2006 2:32 AM:

" Follow the Money. "

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Skilos wrote on Oct 15, 2006 11:47 PM:

" Daniel; the unemployment rate as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of October 6, 2006 is 4.6% and is the envy of the industrial world. Our economy is doing just fine! "

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Dixon wrote on Oct 15, 2006 8:13 PM:

" Ajax, I did go to Pombo's voting record and it does show that he voted for a military pay raise. So where do you get your facts, I will check it out but so far your allegation has no credibility. I searched "Pombo's Voting Record" You may want to look yourself. "

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Senior wrote on Oct 15, 2006 8:04 PM:

" Ethics. Sentinel are you overlooking Richard Dean. He is the one to claim a disability after not being selected to be a Police Captain. That is what you should be writing about. "

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James Carrington wrote on Oct 15, 2006 5:59 PM:

" Everyone loves to trash Pombo, but when each issue is dissected and studied, most of you ad hominem attackers would do the same thing. Pick an issue, sudy both sides reasonably and fairly. You will discover that there are no black and white conclusions on domestic and international messes. I think they are all slime too....but a small amount of slime cleans off quicker than a lot. Pombo over McNerney "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 15, 2006 1:10 PM:

" Pombo's not doing very well in this column, is he? "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 15, 2006 1:10 PM:

" Our country has widespread unemployment due to jobs being transferred overseas as part of trade deals and treaties, which Pombo has endorsed. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 15, 2006 1:09 PM:

" Pombo lost his loyalty to constituents who I personally know went door-to-door for him in his first congressional election, when Gov. Davis gerrymandered his district with spaghetti traces over to the democratic east bay, and down into Morgan Hill. Unbelievable. Pombo faced democratic voters, and all stress was relieved when the Pres and VP campaigned for him. Thus Pombo's loyalty. "

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OTH wrote on Oct 15, 2006 12:14 PM:

" Daniel........I'm sorry. I was referring to Ken Vogel. "

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tripping wrote on Oct 15, 2006 11:48 AM:

" hey hey ho ho pombos got to go. nice rv trip i wanted to go on a trip this summer but the 3 bucks a gal for gas was to much for my family. someone said on an other post ARE YOU BETTER TODAY THAN YOU WERE 4 YEARS AGO. not me. vote the bum out. "

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Ajax wrote on Oct 15, 2006 10:19 AM:

" Pombo has NOT worked for veteans--in fact Pombo has voted for legislation that has undermined veterans. Do some research first--you owe that to your readers! Pombo voted down legilsation that would have made better prothetics available to vets. Pombo voted against a pay raise for soldiers. Yet Pombo voted to give himself a pay raise. I am a registered Republican and I am embarrassed to have POmbo represent my party and the LC rationale is also embarassing. "

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Dan wrote on Oct 15, 2006 8:36 AM:

" I was thinking of this editorial while driving yesterday. The LNS endorses Pombo despite of his [paraphrasing] utter lack of ethics, taking of bribes and his shameless nepotism because his opponent, while a thoughtful and decent fellow, is a newbie and LNS fears he would be "ineffectual". This selfish rationalisation is contemptible. "

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Jim Hildreth wrote on Oct 15, 2006 8:15 AM:

" As a conservative republican, I'm not pleased with the direction that our country is facing. Record deficits, the demise of the middle class and a congress that is deep denial of ethical standards on both sides of the isle. Pompo should not be put on "probation" he should be fired. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 15, 2006 2:24 AM:

" OTH: Not very loyal to farmers if he is lifting tarriffs on agricultural imports. When I walk through the supermarket in June and see grapes, I know they're not American. Maybe one could argue that foreign grapes aren't competing with local grapes because ours aren't ripe yet, but the foreign grapes are competing with the cherries. "

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Ethics? wrote on Oct 14, 2006 8:57 PM:

" Pombo has ethical issues but you ignore Dean's ethical issues that are right in front of you. The guy claims a stress disability and knee disbility when the Police Chief does not select him to be a Police Captain. I wonder about the ehtics of the Sentinel. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 14, 2006 1:57 PM:

" "Conservatism" is only an image. Voting for free trade deals, and the Patriot Act are radical if not Socialist. "

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OTH wrote on Oct 14, 2006 1:01 PM:

" If you want someone to work with farmers oon land issues, no one more qualified than a farmer. At least he know what it's all about. "

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No to Dean wrote on Oct 14, 2006 11:10 AM:

" LNS got it partially right with Mr. Dean, he knows how to deal wih people as long as you are a person with infuential powers, otherwise good luck. I feel sorry for the average person if he gets elected! "

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Ethics wrote on Oct 14, 2006 10:54 AM:

" It's amazing to me that conservatism is more important than ethics to LNS. Before you endorse a candidate wouldn't you want the questions answered first? I suppose LNS would have supported Mr. Foley. "

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Dan (not Daniel below) wrote on Oct 14, 2006 10:52 AM:

" What "solid conservative values" could the LNS possibly be referring to with regards to Pombo? Their endorsement is nothing more than partisan clap-trap. Pombo is rotten, ROTTEN. His terms caused him to become cynical and corrupt. GET HIM OUT OF THERE. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 14, 2006 9:52 AM:

" Free Trade agreements Free Trade agreements are not about trade. They establish regional governments that exceed the authority of the member nations. Compliance is nothing less than voluntary surrender of sovereignty, without firing a single weapon. In accordance with Karl Marx, they are called "trade agreements" so that people will think it involves trade. Thus, the deception is intentional. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 14, 2006 9:49 AM:

" Pombo also voted in favor of the Middle East Free Trade Area, lifting duties on agricultural imports and establishing Middle Eastern staffing of American ports. Just 4 months prior, America objected, and as much as I can tell, the ports deal is included in this free trade agreement. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 14, 2006 9:44 AM:

" I question Pombo as being an American, and for that reason, I'll take any other ill-qualified opponent. Pombo voted in favor of the "Central America Free Trade Agreement" (CAFTA) I had written to Pombo myself for 1-1/2 years before the vote, and he had always reassured me that he opposed it. CAFTA establishes a regional government through Central America, including USA. It isn't of the USA, and it will render USA legislation irrelevant. "

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