"We Don't Recognize Tim Collins as a Candidate"

That's a direct quote from Oscar Gonzalez, the campaign manager for the Republican Party's candidate for Congress, Tim Besco. The alleged Democrat said that to me on the phone Monday night when I invited his candidate to come on my show and debate Tim Collins.

This is why I hate dealing with gate keepers because they often think they are doing whats in the best interest of their candidates and very often they are wrong. Dead wrong in this case.

Besco has very weak support, even in his own party. Tim Collins is the candidate the Republicans wish they had. A guy who is solid on the issues, understands the regular people, and can present well.

The Besco campaign has an excellent opportunity to put any fears of the base to rest and show that he belongs in the discussion as a top tier candidate. You don't just automatically inherit that status just because you are the Republican nominee in El Paso. That's like being the prettiest girl in the ugly contest.

I seriously doubt this came from Tim Besco himself. Again, I think its an instance of his campaign manager telling him what he thinks is the right move. If I'm Besco, I remind the campaign manager who is boss. Near as I can tell, Gonzalez doesn't have a lot of campaign experience, which is unfortunate for any congressional candidate. You absolutely need a seasoned campaigner. So far the only campaign experience of any note that I can dig up on Gonzalez is with Joe Wardy's mayoral campaign, which was non-partisan. I've checked in the party and he doesn't appear to be known in the Democratic Party either.

My sources in the Republican party tell me that many of the party volunteers and activists have had some kind of run-in with Gonzalez along the way and they have been hesitant to help out with the campaign.

What's more disappointing about this particular situation is that Besco will be meeting Collins at a community forum hosted by Emma Acosta. So are they recognizing Collins at that event.

BTW, that event is scheduled for October 9th at Burgess High School from 10am to Noon. I guess I'll have to attend that forum and post the video online.

The point here is this, just because you'd rather they weren't running doesn't mean you get to decide whether or not someone is a candidate. The people recognize him as a candidate and he has secured the necessary number of signatures to get write-in votes counted.

In my book, and for my show, that's good enough. I hate to break it to Gonzalez's, but far more people listen to talk radio than have heard from his candidate. You'd think they'd jump at the opportunity to show what Besco is made of. I've had him on previously and gave him a fair shot.

I recognize Collins. I extended the invitation to the Besco camp.

I hope they reconsider and take me up on the offer.

Lets keep this in perspective, both camps are going to get creamed by the Congressman and combined I doubt they get much more than 30% of the vote, and that's being generous!

All the more reason for Besco to engage Collins.