'); } -->
We have an interesting race shaping up in the new 10th Congressional District, which includes all of Stanislaus County and southern San Joaquin County. In this case, interesting means high-profile, expensive, potentially nasty and spiced up with some relative newcomers to politics.
All eyes will be on Iowa this week for the over-ballyhooed first Republican primary caucus. Do Modesto area Republicans care? Maybe as a spectator sport, but most of the GOP politicians and activists haven't yet picked a favorite in the race.
Now I've flip-flopped on initiatives. Years ago, I used to routinely sign such petitions, figuring voters deserve a chance to decide all sorts of things. No longer. I think the initiative process is overused and abused in California, and I just say no.