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Calif. lawmaker finds tepid GOP support
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Candidate
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| Contributor | The Sunset Provision |
| Last Edited | The Sunset Provision Nov 21, 2007 10:53pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | Website - Yahoo News |
| News Date | Thursday, November 22, 2007 04:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Rep. John Doolittle is garnering tepid public support from his California GOP colleagues in the latest sign of his slumping political fortunes as he aims for re-election while under criminal investigation.
Doolittle, a nine-term conservative who represents a heavily Republican district in northernmost California, is under scrutiny along with his wife, Julie, for their ties to jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The ethics cloud nearly cost him re-election last year and since then his legal problems have worsened with grand jury subpoenas issued to him and aides and an FBI raid on his home.
In recent weeks Doolittle has sought out fellow Republicans in California's House delegation for one-on-one discussions aimed at assessing and shoring up his support, according to several lawmakers who met with him. Doolittle, who has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crime, declined to comment.
House Republican leaders are short on campaign funds to shore up weak incumbents and eager to shake off the taint of ethics scandals. They have pointedly passed up chances to endorse Doolittle despite a policy of supporting incumbents.
Backing from his peers is crucial if Doolittle, who is not personally wealthy, is to muster the financial and political resources for an expensive campaign while also paying lawyers' fees in a criminal investigation.
"The only thing we know for certain is Doolittle is in trouble. The party leadership does not want to spend a huge sum of money to hold onto this seat," said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican strategist in Los Angeles and publisher of the nonpartisan Target Book that tracks political races. "It's almost Doolittle versus the world."
Doolittle has insisted that he intends to run for re-election, and aides said this week that hasn't changed. The candidate filing period for California's June 2008 primary runs from Feb. 11 to March 7.
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