CA: Kaloogian enters race for Congress - Cunningham's seat is sought

DEL MAR – Former state Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian announced his formal entry yesterday into the race to replace Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham in the 50th Congressional District.

Kaloogian, a 45-year-old San Marcos attorney, said his leadership skills will stand out from the crowded field of Republicans expected to vie for the open seat in the heavily Republican district.

"Everyone in the race will be against illegal immigration; everyone will talk about excess spending," Kaloogian said. "The key is who is going to get something done about it. Do you want someone who is get-along go-along, or someone who will get the majority party to have a backbone and act like the majority party?"

Kaloogian made his announcement at the Black Horse Grille in Del Mar, surrounded by supporters. In a phone interview before the appearance, Kaloogian said the most important issues facing the United States are preventing terrorism and reining in national spending.

He said that he wants to deploy more law enforcement officers onthe Mexican border to prevent illegal crossings and that he supports Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, in his efforts to construct a fence along the border.

"I think that it's important we win the war against terror – and that begins with securing our borders at home," Kaloogian said.

Kaloogian has been heavily involved in politics since 1994 when he ran in the Republican primary for the 74th Assembly District, which stretched over much of North County. He served as assistant Republican leader in the Legislature and pushed relentlessly, but unsuccessfully, to replace income and sales taxes with a flat tax.

Kaloogian became chairman of one of three committees seeking to recall Gray Davis as governor, and he founded the organization Move America Forward. The group is best known for its "You don't speak for me, Cindy" tour, a counterprotest to Cindy Sheehan's anti-war efforts.

Sheehan is the Northern California woman who lost her son to war and then camped out in front of President Bush's ranch in hopes he would tell her why her son died.

"She is not the mainstream and average soldier's family," Kaloogian said. "We wanted to give voice to the other side."

In 2004, Kaloogian ran in the U.S. Senate Republican primary for a chance to challenge Sen. Barbara Boxer. He was defeated by former California Secretary of State Bill Jones.

As of the Sept. 30 campaign finance reporting deadline, Kaloogian had collected more money from supporters than other Republican candidates in the 50th District race: $28,000.

"They know I stand for something," Kaloogian said. "I will stand for the same thing in D.C. that I stood for here."

The 50th District stretches from northern San Diego to Escondido and San Marcos and then along the coast from Carlsbad south to Del Mar. It has 45 percent Republican registration and 30 percent Democratic.

Cunningham, an eight-term congressman, decided against a re-election campaign because of federal investigations into his financial dealings with defense contractors.

Other Republicans collecting campaign donations for a 50th District race include state Assemblyman Mark Wyland of Del Mar and Alan Uke, founder of the nonprofit San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. Cardiff school board member Francine Busby is currently the only Democrat in the race.

Full disclosure: Duke is my Rep.

Wannabe candidate is on the RIGHT:

Pulled from Howard's 2004 U.S. Senate race website:

Immigration:

I oppose President Bush’s proposal because it amounts to amnesty on the installment plan. I think it compounds the problem by encouraging more people to attempt to enter our country. In the 1986 amnesty the promise was that this would solve the problem once and for all. It covered 3 million people, and since then our illegal immigration problem got worse - today it is estimated that there are up to 13 million illegal immigrants in this country. Clearly an amnesty solves nothing. Furthermore, it is unworkable. It only applies to those illegal immigrants who have jobs. And, it depends on voluntary compliance on the part of both the employer and the illegal immigrant. Finally, it is morally wrong. We are indeed a nation of immigrants and a country with the most generous system of immigration in the world. Millions of people have applied legally, gone through the process and become naturalized citizens. My family was among them. It is not right to allow others to “cut in line” ahead of those who are obeying our laws.

Federal Spending:

We need a Constitutional Amendment that controls spending. No matter which party is in charge, the pressure to spend is irresistible. It will only stop with a tough spending limit on discretionary spending, like the Gann limit in California, before it was destroyed. I believe that such a provision should also include a line-item veto for the President to line out excessive spending in congressional appropriation bills. Congress actually passed the line-item veto, but the courts invalidated it; a new version must be written that will pass court scrutiny. Controlling spending and encouraging a growing economy are the responsible ways to turn our budget deficit into a surplus again.

Tax Cuts:

I believe that tax cuts stimulate the economy, while tax increases slow the economy. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and even John F. Kennedy have already proven that trimming taxes leads to more jobs and more revenue. President Bush’s tax cuts should be made permanent. I oppose the Democrat plan to repeal the cuts because it will lead to a slowdown in economic growth and prosperity. In addition to keeping taxes low, we must create a tax system that is efficient, fair, simple and understandable. Currently, the federal tax code totals nearly 1,400 pages and the IRS regulations implementing it total more 6,400 pages. It is loaded with loopholes that special interest groups and the super wealthy use to get out of paying their fair share. It costs our economy more than $300 billion annually to comply with our income tax laws. Scrapping this system for a loophole-free flat tax will generate the greatest possible growth in our economy. That, in turn would bring in additional federal revenue and be a more fair tax system for everyone.

Right to Life:

I am pro-life and I believe that it is time our nation moved beyond debating the legal merits of “Roe vs. Wade,” moved beyond the politics of abortion, and instead honestly asked itself: “Don’t women today deserve something better than abortion?” The old left, personified by the no-longer-listening Barbara Boxer, vocally defends every aspect of this procedure without qualms or questions. I will start by discussing the needs of pregnant and parenting women, inviting the input of women who have chosen different pregnancy options including abortion, adoption, and motherhood, to engage leaders from higher education, healthcare, the business community and government. I am convinced that together we will begin to draw up a blueprint for positive, supportive, change.

National Defense:

We must: improve military readiness, equipment and pay and keep California military bases open. The recent military conflicts have clearly demonstrated that we need to keep a modernized military prepared to defend American interests. Congress has failed to invest sufficiently in high demand specialty areas. This includes special operations units, reconnaissance assets, units specializing in chemical and biological agents, Patriot anti-missile batteries, electronic warfare assets, and in-flight refueling aircraft. The United States also needs more sealift and airlift capability. We can increase our available military forces by 300,000 by freeing these soldiers from jobs that civilians could hold so that they can provide support to our “on the ground” troops. Military pay will have to be increased to be competitive with private sector jobs. Despite recent increases, military pay continues to lag, particularly in the low and middle ranks.

Marriage

I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman only and I am opposed to the recognition of same sex marriages. Thirty-seven states, including California, have enacted Defense of Marriage statutes. Additionally, in 1996 the United States Congress resoundingly passed a federal Defense of Marriage Act, which was signed into law by President Clinton. Because there is a continued threat that acceptance of same sex marriages in any one of the fifty states may be the basis of the courts ruling that such marriages must be recognized in all states under the 14th Amendment, I believe that it is essential that our nation’s Constitution must be changed to specifically state that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Foreign Policy:

American foreign policy should be dictated by what is in our nation’s best interest and we must never ask for a permission slip from the United Nations or anyone else. The United States should base its foreign policy on demanding that all nations recognize the threat to peace presented by terrorism. We should insist other governments comply with our security measures such as placing air marshals on flights. And, we should tie our financial support of other nations to how well they support the position of the United States in the UN and elsewhere throughout the international community.

Environment:

First and foremost, all environmental policy must be based on sound, peer-reviewed science. If we do that, then we can accommodate the needs of the environment and the needs of creating jobs, housing and opportunity for our people. Many of our environmental regulations not only are based on unsound science, they are written from the perspective of the east coast, particularly those regulations dealing with air pollution and water quality. The environmental issues of the west are different than the east, and it is time that the expertise and concerns of the western states are respected by the federal government. Furthermore, it is time that our environmental regulations recognize the power of market forces in achieving our environmental goals. Providing market incentives is the fastest and most efficient method of improving the environment.

Second Amendment:

I believe that the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of individual law-abiding Americans to own and use the firearms of their choice. I oppose any new restrictions on the right of citizens to possess firearms because there are enough new laws on the books. I believe that President Clinton’s flawed and unworkable 1994 gun ban legislation, which attempted to impose restrictions on some weapons, should be allowed to expire in 2004 as scheduled. The answer to gun violence in our country is to focus on the criminal use of firearms in the commission of a crime and enforce the laws that punish those criminals.

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