comments_imageCOMMENTS: 27

Richard Pombo Faces a Green Avalanche

Environmental groups nationwide are pooling their funds for a campaign to unseat one of the worst environmental offenders in Congress.
January 27, 2006  |  
 
 
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Each year, millions of dollars come pouring into environmental NGOs and activist organizations to support campaigns ranging from PCB cleanup to buying fuel for Greenpeace's good ship Esperanza. And lots of this money gets results.

But this year, many environmental leaders are saying that one of the best deals for green donors can be found in the congressional election in California's 11th District -- in the campaign to defeat Rep. Richard Pombo, chair of the House Resources Committee.

As Adam Werbach, former president of the Sierra Club, puts it, "Investing in Pombo's defeat would be as effective as owning the o's in Google."

Tony Massaro, senior vice president for political affairs at the League of Conservation Voters, an organization that pours millions into election races in support of green candidates said of Pombo, "If I were a donor, I would seriously consider contributing in a campaign against him for two reasons: One, he sits on a critical seat of power in the House. Two, unseating Pombo would have more effect than just his absence. The message it would send to the rest of Congress on the public's tolerance for environmental abusers would be loud and clear."

Pombo's 11th District is a Republican anomaly in the otherwise heavily Democratic Bay Area of Northern California. The 11th contains some of the agricultural Central Valley and stretches into the Bay's tech corridor, spreading across four counties. In the more than 12 years he's been in Congress, Pombo's district has become home to some of the most horrendous stretches of strip malls and cultureless housing tracts in California. According to the East Bay Express, Pombo's father and uncles have made tens of millions of dollars selling farm and ranch land to developers. And on Pombo's watch, his district also has come to have some of the worst air quality and drinking water in the country.

While Pombo, who embodies the Republican archetype of the fake rancher, waxes on about "the land" and the generations of Pombo farmers, he has quietly worked his legislative powers to sell his family's acreage to the government for an unnecessary freeway add-on.

And it should come as little surprise that Pombo has danced with lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He ranks fifth on the money list of politicians who have taken money from the Abramoff's cash nexus, raking in $54,500. In exchange, Pombo had his fling with the Mariana Islands and played cowboy and Indian casinos. But these political sins don't come up to the ankles of the work he's done to destroy the environment as chair of the House Resources Committee, which then-Majority Leader Tom DeLay cherrypicked him to run in 2003.

It is there that Pombo has committed his worst offenses. And he has done most of it in the neutral-sounding procedural language of committee hearings. Here's a sample from his recent rewrite of the Endangered Species Act, which he managed to ram through the House of Representatives this fall, now awaiting passage in the Senate:


  • (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting "with respect to a determination of a species to be an endangered species or a threatened species" after "any regulation"; and


  • (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking "the State agency in" and inserting "the Governor of, and State agency in,"


Not quite the same as gut-wrenching imagery of an arctic oil spill or the clubbing of baby seals to be sure. But it's important to remember that what Pombo has the power to do -- and has already done -- is rewrite the very Endangered Species Act itself. And that amounts to fewer whooping cranes, fewer grizzlies, fewer Chinook salmon. Not only this, Pombo's rewrite contains an absurd provision that has the federal government paying real estate developers and oil companies not to kill wildlife.

Pombo's manner in making these radical cuts at his Resource Committee hearings is a sight to behold; he reads from his staff-prepared statements dispassionately, mumbling word-to-word as he announces death sentences to whole bird species and proposals to sell off our national parks to mining and timber interests.

Environmental groups now laying the groundwork for the campaign against Pombo seem almost to relish the fight ahead. Rico Mastrodonato, California director of the California League of Conservation Voters said, "There's no single individual that is more openly hostile, more potentially dangerous on the environment than Richard Pombo." As Grist Magazine reported, Defenders of Wildlife has started its own voter-outreach project and is coordinating with the Sierra Club to assemble a coalition of enviro groups to hire canvassers and organizers collectively.

Defeating Pombo will not be easy. Pombo is a seven-term incumbent, and his family name has wide recognition among his constituents. And he's won his previous contests handily. In the last election, Pombo garnered 61 percent of the vote over Democrat Jerry McNerney's 38. Of the four counties contained in the 11th District, McNerney, an energy consultant and businessman, received less than 50 percent of the votes in all four counties that make up the 11th District.

That said, many of the local officials contacted for this article said that the exposure from the Abramoff scandal and news reports about his works on the House Resources Committee are starting to sink into public opinion. They also cited that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which targets tight races across the country has actively recruited candidates to beat Pombo, indicating his vulnerability. David Burr, chair of the Democratic Committee in San Joaquin County, part of the 11th District, declared this "the year to beat Pombo."

Pombo faces serious challenges in his party primary and in the general election.

First up in the Republican primary is former Rep. Pete McCloskey, who represented the San Francisco Peninsula from 1967 to 1983, and watched as Pombo gutted the Endangered Species Act he helped to author. After fruitless search to recruit a Republican opponent to run against Pombo, McCloskey declared on January 21 that he would jump in the race himself. In 2004, McCloskey endorsed John Kerry. "This guy, Pombo, he wants to privatize the remaining public lands in California, and he has the power to do it," McCloskey told the Associated Press.

If McCloskey doesn't unseat Pombo in the May 11 Republican primary, he may well "tenderize" Pombo for the general election on November 2. While McNerney is running again in the Democratic primary, most observers believe that former Navy pilot Steve Filson has the best chance to unseat Pombo. Filson, who most recently worked as a flight operations manager for United Airlines, has already raised over $100,000 for his election.

Grist has reported that "insiders" estimate the total spending figures for the 11th District race could exceed $5 million. Political observers interviewed for this article estimated it could far exceed that number, especially if regular contributors to green causes see this election as a high-value expenditure in aid of the environment.

Considering the power that Richard Pombo wields from his chairmanship and the early attention his re-election has already received, an avalanche of green money could ensure his political demise.
Jan Frel is an AlterNet staff writer.
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Comments are closed-

Any challenger to Pombo isn't a bad idea
Posted by: maxpayne on Jan 27, 2006 7:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One suggestion for the Republican who chooses to challenge Pombo. As soon as you win, switch to Democrat or at least join Bernard Sanders as another independent. The Republican party has made itself too much of an out of control Frankenstein for the past 35 years ever since Nixon followed by Reagan, Gingrich, Delay, Bush, Rove, etc ... tore down the Republican Party that Eisenhower envisioned.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Save your money
Posted by: Lincoln fan on Jan 27, 2006 7:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My advice to any organization that has a favorite cause is to enlist your members in The Lincoln Initiative. It is free. It is a grassroots movement not an organization. There are no contributions, no registration, no meetings, no marches. Click on All Welcome

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Save your money Posted by: debbieaustin
» RE: Save your money Posted by: Lincoln fan
» RE: Save your money Posted by: debbieaustin
» RE: Save your money Posted by: Lincoln fan
» RE: Save your money Posted by: hollihoho
» RE: Save your money Posted by: Lincoln fan
» RE: Save your money Posted by: ravengrrrl
» RE: Save your money Posted by: debbieaustin
» RE: Save your money Posted by: ravengrrrl
» RE: Letter Writting Is Important! Posted by: ravengrrrl

Comments are closed-

how much is pombo worth
Posted by: debbieaustin on Jan 27, 2006 10:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
he does billions in damage, and he only costs a few million to get rid of.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: how much is pombo worth Posted by: hollihoho

Comments are closed-

Right on Environmentalists!!!!!
Posted by: jeffrey7 on Jan 27, 2006 12:03 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The fact is this Govt,in it's current model,exisits to support
the ways and means of Big Business. Many People,including myself, believe there is as much value in a raincloud that contains 'pure' water as that of gold. That a pristine ecosystem is far more valuable than a Wal-Mart. That trees preforming their responsibility of cleaning the lower atmosphere,where we libe, is a more important job than Predident. That the life of all things should and must be respected before we can ever consider ourselves 'True Humnas'. That insuring the survival of 'lesser lifeforms' insures the survival of the 'greater lifeforms'.
The People Over Tyrants Party support the efforts and actions of all environmental action groups. For poisoned water,unbreatheable air and unproductive soils is the worst kind of Tyranny of all. Those who would impose such a bequest to mankind deserve prison or better yet,to have to 'live' on one of their toxic landfills.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Graduate student in Environmental Policy
Posted by: tranedan on Jan 27, 2006 12:47 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Additionally, Pombo's attack on the Endangered Species Act is aimed to take away the "critical habitat" designation. Currently, the ESA protects endangered species from an ecological point of view; thus, protecting the habitat. Pombo is trying to say this is not necessary.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Reference you are looking for Posted by: ravengrrrl
» RE: Pombo's Words Posted by: ravengrrrl

Comments are closed-

Pombos Maker
Posted by: incenseman on Jan 27, 2006 1:50 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I live in Pombo's district (Stockton,CA) and I can assure you that the real backer behind Pombo is A.G. Spanos, a HUGE developer, owner of the San Diego Chargers and Republican supporter. Spanos host's events at his mansion for every Republican Candidate from President to Governor. He throws $5,000 a plate (and up) dinners. Every candidate he backs wins. He is the man behind many men from The Bush's to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
To defeat Pombo any candidate must deal with Spanos. One may view Spanos exploits at his home page http://www.agspanos.com/home.htm

Spanos has hosted both Bush's in his palace in Greece and always manages to raise at least $1,000,000 for lesser Republican candidates in California.

Pombo has raped the land and environment around his so called ranch near Tracy California. He is arrogant and once referred to the city Stockton as poor and uneducated people. Stop him?....hell yes sign me up!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Pombos Maker Posted by: beffie

Comments are closed-

Challenging Pombo
Posted by: aymlam79 on Jan 31, 2006 2:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I too live in Pombo's district in Dublin, CA. I supported Jerry McNerney's campaign in '04, and I'd like to point out that the Dems did not even field a candidate to run against Pombo, deeming the district unwinnable. Jerry ran as a write-in candidate for the Dem. nomination, with only grassroots support.

Although I am leery of of Steve Filson's campaign (he's a political newbie who seems to be riding on Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher's coattails as the self-annointed Dem. candidate), I am happy that there are more people challenging Pombo. To everyone reading, check out the candidates and support them!

And of course, check out Jerry:
http://www.jerrymcnerney.org

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Facts Straight
Posted by: dsinclair on Feb 3, 2006 3:22 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In 2004 McNerney ran as a write-in candidate 2 weeks before the election – and in the general with no money and no official Democratic Party support received 104K votes (the most ever by a Dem challenger to Pombo). This is why the DCCC thinks Pombo is vulnerable.

Rep. Rahm Emmanuel, the DCCC chair chose Filson due to Tauscher’s recommendation. This is just like in IL-6 where he chose another veteran over an experienced and well liked Christine Cegelis. Filson was touted in DC as the Top Gun – but his Q4 fundraising numbers were disappointing in contrast to the expectation he created of raising 250K by 12/31. Filson has 100K cash on hand compared to McNerney’s 70K COH, hardly an overwhelming margin, especially in light that McNernery’s camp doesn’t have a patron in Tauscher raising money for him in DC.

But just like Cegelis in IL-6, every local Democratic club that has endorsed in the CA-11 race, has endorsed McNerney. Labor evidently is headed in that direction too. Keep in mind that 99% of Democratic primary candidates with AFL-CIO backing win their primaries. McNerney with the grassroots and labor backing and more importantly their money and ground troops, makes the Beltway perception of Filson being the anointed one not fitting with reality.

IMO with McNerney’s background in renewable energy (I believe he worked on the development of the wind farms in CA-11) is a great match for the enviro IE’s and a great contrast to Pombo the big-oil backed rancher.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

asdasd
Posted by: corpse on Aug 4, 2006 8:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

asdasd
Posted by: corpse on Aug 7, 2006 9:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]

Comments are closed-

adasd
Posted by: seogirl on Aug 8, 2006 9:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

Any challenger to Pombo isn't a bad idea
Posted by: maxpayne on Jan 27, 2006 7:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One suggestion for the Republican who chooses to challenge Pombo. As soon as you win, switch to Democrat or at least join Bernard Sanders as another independent. The Republican party has made itself too much of an out of control Frankenstein for the past 35 years ever since Nixon followed by Reagan, Gingrich, Delay, Bush, Rove, etc ... tore down the Republican Party that Eisenhower envisioned.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Save your money
Posted by: Lincoln fan on Jan 27, 2006 7:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My advice to any organization that has a favorite cause is to enlist your members in The Lincoln Initiative. It is free. It is a grassroots movement not an organization. There are no contributions, no registration, no meetings, no marches. Click on All Welcome

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Save your money Posted by: debbieaustin
» RE: Save your money Posted by: Lincoln fan
» RE: Save your money Posted by: debbieaustin
» RE: Save your money Posted by: Lincoln fan
» RE: Save your money Posted by: hollihoho
» RE: Save your money Posted by: Lincoln fan
» RE: Save your money Posted by: ravengrrrl
» RE: Save your money Posted by: debbieaustin
» RE: Save your money Posted by: ravengrrrl
» RE: Letter Writting Is Important! Posted by: ravengrrrl

Comments are closed-

how much is pombo worth
Posted by: debbieaustin on Jan 27, 2006 10:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
he does billions in damage, and he only costs a few million to get rid of.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: how much is pombo worth Posted by: hollihoho

Comments are closed-

Right on Environmentalists!!!!!
Posted by: jeffrey7 on Jan 27, 2006 12:03 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The fact is this Govt,in it's current model,exisits to support
the ways and means of Big Business. Many People,including myself, believe there is as much value in a raincloud that contains 'pure' water as that of gold. That a pristine ecosystem is far more valuable than a Wal-Mart. That trees preforming their responsibility of cleaning the lower atmosphere,where we libe, is a more important job than Predident. That the life of all things should and must be respected before we can ever consider ourselves 'True Humnas'. That insuring the survival of 'lesser lifeforms' insures the survival of the 'greater lifeforms'.
The People Over Tyrants Party support the efforts and actions of all environmental action groups. For poisoned water,unbreatheable air and unproductive soils is the worst kind of Tyranny of all. Those who would impose such a bequest to mankind deserve prison or better yet,to have to 'live' on one of their toxic landfills.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Graduate student in Environmental Policy
Posted by: tranedan on Jan 27, 2006 12:47 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Additionally, Pombo's attack on the Endangered Species Act is aimed to take away the "critical habitat" designation. Currently, the ESA protects endangered species from an ecological point of view; thus, protecting the habitat. Pombo is trying to say this is not necessary.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Reference you are looking for Posted by: ravengrrrl
» RE: Pombo's Words Posted by: ravengrrrl

Comments are closed-

Pombos Maker
Posted by: incenseman on Jan 27, 2006 1:50 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I live in Pombo's district (Stockton,CA) and I can assure you that the real backer behind Pombo is A.G. Spanos, a HUGE developer, owner of the San Diego Chargers and Republican supporter. Spanos host's events at his mansion for every Republican Candidate from President to Governor. He throws $5,000 a plate (and up) dinners. Every candidate he backs wins. He is the man behind many men from The Bush's to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
To defeat Pombo any candidate must deal with Spanos. One may view Spanos exploits at his home page http://www.agspanos.com/home.htm

Spanos has hosted both Bush's in his palace in Greece and always manages to raise at least $1,000,000 for lesser Republican candidates in California.

Pombo has raped the land and environment around his so called ranch near Tracy California. He is arrogant and once referred to the city Stockton as poor and uneducated people. Stop him?....hell yes sign me up!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Pombos Maker Posted by: beffie

Comments are closed-

Challenging Pombo
Posted by: aymlam79 on Jan 31, 2006 2:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I too live in Pombo's district in Dublin, CA. I supported Jerry McNerney's campaign in '04, and I'd like to point out that the Dems did not even field a candidate to run against Pombo, deeming the district unwinnable. Jerry ran as a write-in candidate for the Dem. nomination, with only grassroots support.

Although I am leery of of Steve Filson's campaign (he's a political newbie who seems to be riding on Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher's coattails as the self-annointed Dem. candidate), I am happy that there are more people challenging Pombo. To everyone reading, check out the candidates and support them!

And of course, check out Jerry:
http://www.jerrymcnerney.org

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Facts Straight
Posted by: dsinclair on Feb 3, 2006 3:22 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In 2004 McNerney ran as a write-in candidate 2 weeks before the election – and in the general with no money and no official Democratic Party support received 104K votes (the most ever by a Dem challenger to Pombo). This is why the DCCC thinks Pombo is vulnerable.

Rep. Rahm Emmanuel, the DCCC chair chose Filson due to Tauscher’s recommendation. This is just like in IL-6 where he chose another veteran over an experienced and well liked Christine Cegelis. Filson was touted in DC as the Top Gun – but his Q4 fundraising numbers were disappointing in contrast to the expectation he created of raising 250K by 12/31. Filson has 100K cash on hand compared to McNerney’s 70K COH, hardly an overwhelming margin, especially in light that McNernery’s camp doesn’t have a patron in Tauscher raising money for him in DC.

But just like Cegelis in IL-6, every local Democratic club that has endorsed in the CA-11 race, has endorsed McNerney. Labor evidently is headed in that direction too. Keep in mind that 99% of Democratic primary candidates with AFL-CIO backing win their primaries. McNerney with the grassroots and labor backing and more importantly their money and ground troops, makes the Beltway perception of Filson being the anointed one not fitting with reality.

IMO with McNerney’s background in renewable energy (I believe he worked on the development of the wind farms in CA-11) is a great match for the enviro IE’s and a great contrast to Pombo the big-oil backed rancher.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

asdasd
Posted by: corpse on Aug 4, 2006 8:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Replica Watch
Anadrol
Bontril
Dianabol
Dianobol
Didrex
Reductil
Sustanon
Tamiflu
Winstrol
Carisoprodol

http://rolex.zikforum.com |
http://anadrol.zikforum.com |
http://bontril.zikforum.com |
http://dianabol2.zikforum.com |
http://dianobol.zikforum.com |
http://didrex.zikforum.com |
http://reductil.bb-fr.com |
http://sustanon.zikforum.com |
http://tamiflu.zikforum.com |
http://winstrol.zikforum.com |
http://carisoprodol4u.zikforum.com |

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

asdasd
Posted by: corpse on Aug 7, 2006 9:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]

Comments are closed-

adasd
Posted by: seogirl on Aug 8, 2006 9:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
 
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