Incredibly, not a single candidate who ran in the 1st congressional primary race has announced publicly their support of Doug LaMalfa for congress.

I suspect party loyalists and those with a stake in LaMalfa’s political success will attempt to minimize or dismiss this as inconsequential or just plain ‘sour grapes’. Others, however, with a more objective view, may see cause for legitimate concern. So, what might those concerns be?

Well, perhaps we might find some answers in the writings of various endorsement editorials published by north state newspapers during the recent primary campaign. In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that none were inclined to offer Doug their endorsement.

Here’s what they had to say.

“LaMalfa’s family farm continues to rely on federal subsidies and he continues to argue their merit while insisting that massive cuts must be made to most other areas of the federal government.” Record Searchlight Endorsement Editorial, May 12, 2012

“LaMalfa’s response to the website controversy set up by his chief of staff, Mark Spannagel, was a deciding factor for members of the board not to support LaMalfa’s candidacy. Campaigns can get ugly, but when they step over the line, the candidates not only must bear some responsibility, but those involved must be punished.” Paradise Post Endorsement Editorial, May 26, 2012

“LaMalfa, by contrast, stumbled in our interview in explaining how the uninsured could gain coverage in a purely free-market system of care, which he endorses.” Sacramento Bee Endorsement Editorial, May 1, 2012

“For such an experienced politician, LaMalfa shows a weak grasp of federal issues – most critically the budget. His idea for cuts is to hire an army of auditors to go through everything line-by-line. Really? Wake us up in 10 years when they finish.” Record Searchlight Endorsement Editorial, May 12, 2012

And finally, there’s this.

“True, LaMalfa, 51, is affable and engaged, and he may well end up representing this district in Congress. There, his reputation for constituent service will pay off. Yet voters in this district should expect more from their leading candidates.” Sacramento Bee Endorsement Editorial, May 1, 2012

Dare I say, I couldn’t have said it any better.