Curt Weldon and David Dreier have a few things in common and some significant differences too. Both are very weak rubber-stamp Republicans who wish their party wasn't so right-wing or so extremist. Each is in mortal danger of losing his seat because as the GOP has gotent more and more radical, his district has become more and more moderate. But neither of these weak little men is a leader and both have become very rich by going along and getting along.

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[cross-posted at SethInCA, Daily Kos, and Calitics]

A week ago, I wrote a diary here asking for suggestions for starting a new blog to cover the race in CA-26. Two nights ago, I watched and reloaded, slightly disbelieving the preliminary results in the Democratic primary in CA-26, David Dreier (R-Closet)'s district. Russ Warner, endorsed by Gen. Wesley Clark, ran on a moderate platform of "protecting the middle class, promoting small business, and supporting our troops, honoring our veterans." Clark came to the district, raised money for Warner, and even recorded a robocall for him. Warner was supposed to be the best chance in awhile to defeat Dreier, a tough prospect considering Dreier's power as Rules Committee chairman and the Republican registration advantage in the district (46% R to 35% D).

Meanwhile, Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews, who came out of the closet during the 2004 election and challenged Dreier to do the same ran again. Matthews gave Dreier the closest margin of any reelected congressman in California in 2004 (<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-family: Verdana">54-42)</span&gt</font&gt, thanks in no small part to the anti-Dreier activism of two radio hosts surrounding immigration. Yet Matthews had raised only $516 as of mid-May and $5,361 as of June 1. Her website is a nightmare. Watching the election from afar, I pretty much wrote her off.

So what were the results on election day?

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