San Diego to El Centro

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian columnist for the Wall Street Journal John Fund, has picked five districts across the U.S. where he most expects an upset on Election night - "Read this before Joining the office pool." Four are Republican wins - MI 5, GA 12 and NC 2. Oddly, one is a possible Democrat pick-up, AZ 5 (Ben Quayle).

The first on the list is libertarian-leaning Iraq War hero Nick Popaditch. (Note - Popaditch lost an eye in battle in Iraq).
From the WSJ, Oct. 20:

California 51 -- Rep. Bob Filner hasn't had a tough race against a Republican in this majority Hispanic district in years. But in 2006, he won only 51% of the Democratic primary vote against then-San Diego City Councilman Juan Vargas. Wounds from that race haven't fully healed.

Mr. Filner is being challenged by Nick Popaditch, a former Marine officer who won a Silver Star in Iraq and was blinded in one eye by a grenade. Mr. Popaditch hasn't raised much money, but the district contains many military families who may be drawn to his compelling story. The district, which includes downtown San Diego, is Democratic but George W. Bush won 46% of the vote in 2004, and Arnold Schwarzenegger carried the district by nine percentage points in his 2006 re-election race. This area was the scene of another stunning upset of a Democratic incumbent in the 1980 Reagan landslide, when Republican Duncan Hunter won unexpectedly. His son currently serves in Congress from a different San Diego district.

Readers, please take note of John's line, "Mr. Popaditch hasn't raised much money..." There's still time to make an on-line contribution - PopaditchforCongress.com/donate

Photo - yes, that's Nick in the famous Time Magazine photo of American troops liberating Iraq.