Outside groups send mailers into congressional districts all over the country all the time. It’s not news.

But when people feel inspired to carpool, hop on buses and travel to electioneer in a place where they can’t even vote, that’s news. It was news when vast numbers of people did in the 2004 presidential race and it’s news that it’s happening in CD11 for the first time.

I don’t know why you and others interpret coverage of the presence of these outside groups in CD11 as a negative for McNerney. I find it fascinating and interesting. It’s a big part of what has made this race the talk of California and the country.

I saw Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, last night and he says that everywhere he goes in the country, people ask about this race.

The fact that the Pombo camp will spin it otherwise is not news, either.

Lisa v.

The fact is that McNerney inspires people to get off their butts and contribute time to the campaign. Pombo inspires activist organizations (special interests) to pour money in to his negative ads. It seems to me that one relates more to voters than the other.