Incumbent wasn't willing to face his GOP challenger

I had a chance to attend the candidates forum at Cal Lutheran University several weeks ago. Thank you to the Ventura County Star, the California Association of Political Centrists and CLU for hosting such a necessary event.

I think it's very important in today's times to make a careful and informed vote, and the only way to do that is to meet and listen to the candidates' positions on the issues that concern our community.

As a Republican, I was looking forward to hearing from the Congressional candidates, Elton Gallegly and Michael Tenenbaum, in particular.

Tenenbaum was there, and I found him to be a very intelligent, focused and courageous candidate. It takes a lot of selfconfidence to challenge an entrenched incumbent such as Gallegly, and he's sure got the brains to back himself up.

He had a lot of great ideas on how to stop the hemorrhaging of government spending by putting an end to pork and earmarks. He was also very articulate on issues of immigration.

What did Gallegly have to say? Well, he couldn't attend, which seems to be in line with his track record. I haven't ever seen Gallegly speak about his ideas publicly at a debate or forum. But what I found strange was that he was allowed to send a friend, Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten, to speak on his behalf.

Totten went on for much longer than any of the candidates with a glowing review of Gallegly, stating that Gallegly is "not a show horse."

How ridiculous. Isn't it always easier to have someone brag about you on your behalf than to come and stand up for your own ideas and record? Seems like a "show horse" in sheep's clothing to me.

Derek S. Ross

Oak Park