McCloskey details why he's in race

McCloskey details why he's in race

Oakland Tribune, The (CA)

January 24, 2006

Through a winsome lisp � he often whistles when saying words with an "s" � McCloskey announced he's moved south to Lodi from a farm in Yolo County to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, for the 11th Congressional District seat.

Wearing a suit and tie he's probably owned since his last stint in office more than

20 years ago, standing in front of campaign banners hand-painted by his 83-year-old mother-in-law, and offering media packets prepared by his niece, McCloskey rattled off a catalog of reasons why he wants to unseat the six-term congressman.

McCloskey, 78, said Pombo has taken more money than any other California congressman from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, has done nothing to reduce emissions in the Central Valley and has eroded the Endangered Species Act, which McCloskey authored in 1972.

Pombo also has stymied efforts to further investigate former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, failed to live up to the "Contract with America" Republicans signed in 1994, and tried to privatize public land, McCloskey said.

"Mr. Pombo has made statements and moved toward that as committee chairman, to privatize the remaining public land in Northern California ," McCloskey said. "That's reason enough to take him on. Those public lands are the priceless treasure we all share."

Leaning on the podium full of microphones and tape recorders while standing next to it � instead of speaking from behind it � McCloskey promised to serve no more than two terms in office and to work on redistricting maps to correct the "gerrymander" that's become the 11th District.

The district snakes from Pacheco Pass through Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County and up the Interstate 680 corridor through Alameda County into Danville . It wraps south � avoiding Livermore entirely � to Tracy , then north to include Brentwood and a portion of Stockton , up to Lodi before heading south again to encompass Escalon, Ripon and most of Manteca .

It's the jagged hook-shape that made it difficult for the former U.S. Marine Corps colonel to find someone to run against Pombo. McCloskey said he found a mayor and a Tracy attorney he could support in the race, but they wanted to see projects through before running.

"Republicans tend not to challenge sitting incumbents," McCloskey said. "It's not done, except by what they call mavericks, like John McCain and me, and I'm proud to be with John McCain. He's as good a guy as we've got."

Daring Pombo to a series of debates, including one scheduled in Tracy for March 3, McCloskey said the incumbent declined � through a spokesman � to the challenger's request before the invitation was sent.

The event is to go on as scheduled even if Pombo doesn't show up. McCloskey said they would find a substitute who would answer questions with statements the former Tracy city councilman has made publicly during his career.

"If a man can't debate, he shouldn't serve on the floor of the House of Representatives, where debate goes on everyday," McCloskey said. "So, we'll see if he refuses to debate. That'll tell us something."

McCloskey's going to loan his campaign $50,000 to jump-start it. He admitted to raising only about $4,500 and doesn't think he's going to have the glossy mailers Pombo's camp will mail out.

---

Mike Martinez can be reached at (209) 832-3947 or at mmartinez@trivalleyherald.com.

Section: Tri-Valley

Record Number: 3431892