Remember Dan Lungren? He's the Republican Congressman who tried to generate positive publicity by phoning in to a radio show - until the call ended abruptly with the sound of a police officer pulling him over for speeding! (Hear audio of the call here!)
Lungren's Democratic challenger just showed up at Lungren's office -- to give him a hands-free phone set!
Besides being hysterically funny, there's a big political significance to this race - and there's a surprising twist that makes this event even more important.
Dan Lungren is the incumbent Republican Congressman - and yet his challenger has already raised more money than him! This is the only race in America where that's true, so it may represent the best chance for Democrats to pick off a Republican seat. One Kos diarist has already noted that Lungren "has won by a smaller margin each election and is far to the right of this moderate district [CA-03], and Obama ran even here."
Lungren's challenger, Ami Bera, is a medical doctor who understands the importance of healthcare. And he'd be the third Indian-American ever elected to Congress. (To donate money through ActBlue to Lungren's challenger, Dr. Ami Bera, click here!) I've been following this race, and I think the "hands-free" stunt shows that Bera has the political instincts to win this seats for the Democrats. "We just finished delivering a hands-free bluetooth device to Congressman Dan Lungren," Bera announced - but then added "This isn't the example that we need - we need leaders who are going to be held to a higher standard."
One blogger supplied the crucial context for why the cellphone gaffe isn't going to go away. "This isn't the first time Lungren thought he was above the rules. The Bera for Congress Campaign recently released a new website, which details how Dan Lungren exploited a loophole in House ethics rules in order to take a free, lobbyist funded trip to Hawaii."
"Loophole" Lungren has been letting lobbyists finance his lavish vacations for years now. He does their bidding, and they reward him with campaign contributions and vacations to the tropics. We want you to learn just how he’s been able to get away with it for so long. Watch as ABC News exposes how Dan tiptoed around 2007’s Honest Leadership In Government Act.
Yes, the trail ends with video of ABC News grilling Lungren over a very suspicious meeting funded by lobbyists -- in Hawaii. (The web site's front page urges "Take a free trip to Hawaii, the Congressman Dan Lungren Way!")
That's why this "cellphone/speeding" story isn't going away. And that's why Dan Lungren is in for a world of political hurt starting now.
And that's why the newest Democratic Representative from California may be Dr. Ami Bera
Click here to donate money through ActBlue to Lungren's challenger, Dr. Ami Bera!