More Editors Say No To Pombo

Yesterday, the San Jose Mercury News endorsed Jerry McNerney for the Congressional race in CA-11, stating, “Pombo is a national disgrace to the Republican Party.”

Now, the LA Times has spoken out against Pombo:

CALIFORNIA'S REPUTATION FOR WACKINESS doesn't necessarily rest on its representatives in Congress — the roots of our unconventional ways go far deeper — but they certainly haven't hurt. […]

Richard W. Pombo (R-Tracy), a seven-term congressman who appears to have a vendetta against the environment, has tried repeatedly to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act. He has proposed selling federal wilderness for a pittance to mining interests. His latest bill wouldn't just open up vast stretches of the coast to drilling, it would slash the royalties that companies must pay for shale-oil leases, potentially costing taxpayers billions of dollars. And then there's his tarnished ethics record, which earned him a spot on a watchdog group's list of the 13 most corrupt members of Congress last year. […]

With congressmen like these, California's reputation for eccentricity is unlikely to suffer. All the same, it's the kind of behavior the state could do without. Better to have our wackiness expressed in, say, our vegan cuisine, where it can do less harm.

Finally, a hat tip to Dan, who provided the link to this endorsement from Esquire magazine:

Pombo is a rancher who is up to his hindquarters in the dirty money that has swamped several California Republicans. How bad is he? His two Republican primary opponents have endorsed his Democratic opponent, and so do we.
Esquire endorses: McNerney

So far, the endorsements have gone unanimously against Pombo. The editors are “Saying No to Pombo” and "Saying Yes To McNerney."

[UPDATE:] The SF Chronicle has also weighed in, endorsing McNerney:

[T]his time [Pombo’s] ethical stumbles and radical positions should catch up with him. His opponent, engineer Jerry McNerney brings a low-key probity that the district and House deserve.

Tags: CA-11, Richard Pombo, Jerry McNerney