Cox’s replacement…a unique opportunity

Let’s give some serious thought to replacing Cox with someone OTHER than another career or local politician. Are there better choices than the “likely” choices everyone’s so quick to toss around?

Let’s see if we can identify some visionary candidates who fill the following criteria:

• Understands the unique needs of the 48^th District & OC
• Has a good grasp of CA issues
• Understands economic drivers in Southern California
• Is a pragmatic conservative but not a zealot
• Has been involved in and understands the OC business, government and education sectors
• Is an independent thinker and charismatic leader

We need someone who will work with the other members of the OC delegation and CA delegation to proactively assist and represent the district and not simply count on reelection by nature of the seat being one of the safest in the country. We need someone as good as if not better than Cox was in representing the district.

If one of the “likely” fill the bill, then fine. But let’s take this opportunity to think a little outside the proverbial box and see if there’s someone else out there who might be “the one.” After all, we have some of the brightest and best in the country residing in the 48^th and to restrict our choices to the handful that have been in public office before is short-changing our options.

Think folks…who else might make a great Congressman to replace Chris?

Comments

[xoc]

A non-elected leader, someone new, someone who understands economic drivers? Do you mean someone rich? Good at making money? Perhaps Cristi Cristich? Oh yes, we tried that. Maybe then Tom Tucker? Mark Chapin Johnson? Anyone?

[Chuck]

Congressman Kobe Bryant.

Now *that* sounds cool.

[Intensified!]

Each of the following are potential candidates (not necessarily good ones):

Top Tier:
Former State Senator John Lewis
Former Assembly Speaker Scott Baugh
State Seantor Dick Ackerman
Dana Point Councilman Jim Lacy

Still Green:
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore
Trustee Don Wagner, South Orange County Community College District

Wildcards:
Trustee Tom Fuentes, South Orange County Community College District
Sheriff Mike Carona

Who Else Might Be An "Also Ran"
State Senator John Campbell
Former Assemblyman Ken Maddox
Former Congressman Bob Dornan
Former Congressman Jim Rogan
Former Assemblywomen Marilyn Brewer
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran (Why not run with so many Reps?)
Former Supervisor Cythia Coad
Mark Chapin Johnson
Former Assemblyman Gil Ferguson
Every other member of the Balboa Bay Club

[CaliConservative]

If it's Fuentes, DeVore, Lewis, Lacy, Wagner, or Rogan - conservatives can break even. If it's any of the others, it'll be a real loss for the movement.

Someone's got to get these people in a room and work out who "the conservative candidate" is going to be.

That said, anyone notice how many of the YAFs are on that list?

[Intensified!]

Unless a moderate can find a way to manipulate NIMBY issues, the special election Republican voters will seek a conservative candidate.

It will be interesting to what extent El Toro will play in this campaign.

Comments on a few other speculative candidates:

Assemblyman Todd Spitzer will have a hard time running for another office so quickly. Spitzer will need some seasoning where he is now before his next conquest.

Some other campaign is bound to exploit Assemblywoman Mimi Walters' ties with Congressman Bill Thomas. Walters does not have a role in an ideological battle that she can point to. That only leaves questions.

Talk radio host Hugh Hewitt could be a wild card. Depending on how he enters the race and who else is in the field will determine if he could do well.

Former Supervisor Tom Wilson could try another campaign, but if he runs, he won't get past single digits.

Assemblywoman Pat Bates could make for a strong candidate if she can reorient herself from running for counter supervisor. It may not be worth the risk, though.

On the reason why I would not expect John Campbell to be a top tier candidate: I think plenty of district residents are still smarting from Campbell's brutal campaign against Ken Maddox. Campbell is going to have to wait longer until that is a more distant memory if he wants to move up.

[fd]

I think Baugh is the man for the job. He is a reasonable guy, very skilled, and can deal with all of the BS well.

Spitzer is a bit of a loose cannon.

Ackerman is too far right.

[Silence Dogood]

According to the FlashReport, Baugh's coming out strongly in favor of Ackerman. That takes him out.

I think Baugh is considering Ackerman's soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat more than Cox's soon-to-be-vacant Congressional seat. If that's the case, it will be a nice little peripheral battle between semi-slimey, moderate, but well-funded Assemblyman Todd Spitzer versus good conservative, popular, former Assembly REP leader, smiley OC GOP Chair Scott Baugh.

What a year for the OC consultants who sit in the blogpen of this website!

[El Pistolero]

On Don Wagner:

This guy is a TOTAL ZERO, and TOTALLY SELFISH. He has a high sense of self-importance, and no sense of being part of a team, let alone a conservative movement. His decision to stay in the race against Cristich to the bitter end, going highly negative on DeVore, showed that to the end, he prioritized his own election over stopping Cristich. In the end, she lost, but so did he. She lost the seat, and he lost any respect he had from the conservative community.

On Baugh:

He wants Congress. But his multi-million dollar estate is in Huntington Beach, far from the Ackerman Senate seat.

EP

[Potus]

The OC is full of good candidates, and many that will not run due to the influence of the "PARTY." We all should take a stance and support a person that will actually appreciate who helped them and voted for them.

[Larry OC]

I'll begin the speculation/wishful thinking with my personal favorite Orange County leader, John Moorlach.

Now Mr. Moorlach has declared his candidacy for Orange County Supervisor. He should win hands down. I wonder if John has any second thoughts now that Mr. Cox' seat is open. However, knowing him, he really would prefer to be a county supervisor because his heart belongs to Orange County and he can truly make the most difference to our lives here at home rather than in Washington.

[Larry OC]

Since life in Orange County is the sub-text of my regular blog, OC Chronicle, I've decided to start this blog to track the political jockeying and intrigue sorrounding what will prove to be a high-profile and intriguing GOP Primary.