I am about as far from Republican as any person here, so my intent was not to have you think that his running as a Republican somehow makes him worthy. I'd support him no matter what political affiliation he chose to align with.
Yep, some of us here hold him in high esteem, and our respect for him may be interpreted as something other than respect that was earned. Speaking for myself, I think he was instrumental in getting OC where it is today. Such things we do so well today such as FOIAs, getting the press in involved, and attendance at governmental meetings were things that he had a direct role in developing. Although I think that it took more than one person and there were many involved, his assistance was instrumental. Yes, he had a penchant for being a PITA for those public officials who thought themselves above the law and, in exposing the "Emporers who wore no clothes" he ruffled many locals' feathers. The criticism he received in the press from community members was viciously personal at times, but he dealt with it despite personal hardships the likes of which I hope to never experience.
If I could, I'd vote for him for two reasons: He'd follow the law as opposed to local opinion and he was always brutally honest. Even though there were times I disagreed with him, he never let the disagreement color his interaction with me. In any public office, who better than one who, from my experience, puts personal issues aside and follows what the law demands.
