LAT: Mundell Won't Challenge Feinstein

The Los Angeles Times reveals the news this morning.  In it, Mundell says this:

...conversations with the party's major contributors in California made clear that donors do not plan to put substantial money behind any push to oust Feinstein, and he had no interest in running a vanity campaign.

Here's an UPDATED QUOTE from Mundell's publicist in a release:

In this post special election climate, it has become apparent to me that it will be difficult to raise the money necessary to conduct the type of campaign I want to run.  I have said all along that, though I was willing to contribute meaningfully to my own campaign, I did not want to buy a U.S. Senate seat. It is unfortunate because our Senior Senator is badly under serving California, and is vulnerable with a properly resourced campaign.  Now I will focus my efforts on shifting the debate in California through this citizen group.

I don't know the "major contributors" Mundell spoke with, but they seem to be making a monumental mistake in giving Feinstein a pass.  She really isn't "moderate."  Often she votes with Boxer, but talks like Lieberman or McCain to throw people off her trail.

I remember Mundell glad-handing all over the CRP Convention in Sacramento earlier this year.  He had been preparing for the opportunity to challenge Senator Feinstein for some time, and doing so with a clear field.  He probably would have gotten the nod, without spending much money, campaigning for it by highlighting his efforts to qualify and achieve redistricting reform (Prop 77).  Now, seven months before the statewide primary, less than a year before the general, I'm left with not even a whisper as to who might be seeking to challenge our blue-haired, blue Senator.

So today, I renew my interest in seeing retired UC Regent Ward Connerly make a run at Diane Feinstein.  He has statewide name recognition and campaign experience (from his advocacy of high-profile ballot propositions).  He is the founder and current chairman of the American Civil Rights Institute based out of Sacramento.  He is an amazing, fearless conservative.  And he presents a great image of our party here in California.  You heard it here first: Draft Ward Connerly for U.S. Senate!

H/T goes to the Flash Report for the LAT story.

UPDATE: With this news and the Governor's abandonment of Republican personnel, I'm left to ask where are the visibly strong, principled leaders in our state party today?  McClintock?  That's one. Where are the others?

Comments

[calwatch]

According to John Ziegler (yes, I know), Mundell decided that his girlfriend was more important than running for senate. And I bet his girlfriend is a lot cheaper than cannon fodder for Feinstein. Huffington had the best shot of beating Feinstein, but Mundell apparently refuses to be compared with Huffington, which would inevitably happen during the campaign.