John Wood on Larry Elder — Haven't You Heard?

Radio Host Larry Elder

Conservative radio host Larry Elder knows that a young African-American man is running against Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters, a representative who has uttered some of the craziest things.

Did you know about this conservative taking on "Queen Maxine"?

Did you also know that Larry Elder invited Wood to speak on his show last year?

Sadly, I did not know, until now.

John Wood, 26 years old reared in a biracial home, where Dad was the Republican and Mom the Democrat, learned to hear both sides of an argument, and spent much of his time trying to explain one parent to the other.

If he wants to challenge twenty-year veteran Congresswoman Maxine Waters, he better get good at explaining the Republican Party platform to a constituency 58% Democratic, with a small fraction of Independents and Republicans.



John Wood: Running for the 43rd

Following the 2011 Citizen Redistricting Commission, Torrance, California was divided, with its Eastern and Northern sections connected to Hawthorne, Lawndale, Lomita, as well as Westchester, LAX, West Athens, and South Los Angeles. Most of the new 43rd district, north of Redondo Beach Blvd. belonged to Maxine Waters' former district.

With no idea what district or which challenger (incumbent) she would likely face, Waters hosted a job forum at Inglewood High School, along with fellow Democratic representatives Laura Richardson and Karen Bass.

At that forum, Waters blasted her infamous remark: "The Tea Party can go straight to hell."

43rd Congressional District

One wonders if she was aware that a South LA TEA Party caucus exists, headed by Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson. Why would Waters differ so bluntly with her own constituents?

Following the uproar, she had to scale back her invidious comment, largely because of local and national media which replayed her comments. For the first time in her long career, one filled with statements defined by racial animus as well as roaring invective, the Congresswoman who represented South LA for two decades had to start rethinking the things that she said.

Will she have to rethink her decision to stay in office in 2014?

Campaigning throughout the 43rd in churches and local political clubs, Wood is talking up his campaign, raising his chances as he raises awareness of his Republican bid for federal office.

One of his earlier publicity events, a guest spot on The Larry Elder show, deserves more attention than it has received.

Maxine Waters: "The TEA Party can go straight to hell."

Elders started out first by introducing the young politician, then sharing that in spite of his many efforts, Elder could not push a Republican candidate to take down Waters, who won that election 80%-20%

A slaughter? Not even a fight.

"You are headed for a wood-chipper, my friend," Elder declared.

Wood's response? Chipper, to say the least and confident notwithstanding the comments from Republicans as well as Democrats that Wood doesn't have a chance.

Chance doesn't win elections, as far as Wood is concerned, and those naysayers can go straight to . . .well, you get the idea.

Among his comments on the program, Wood offered that members of the black community in the South Los Angeles area are tired of the status quo.

When he talks politics, about Republicans and Democrats, Wood found that prospective voters responded to his campaign in this manner:

"I tend to agree with Republicans on a number of issues. I just don't find that Republicans care for me, for black people in general."

Anyone with a working knowledge of US History will find that from the Civil War until the present day, Republicans were leading the fight on ending slavery and segregation, advancing civil rights, and ensuring a quality education for all Americans, including African-Americans.

Speaking from experience in addition to ideas, Wood has made clear that he is "not running for the sake of the Republican Party, although I am happy to be running as a Republican . . .I want to make life better for all people."

A candidate who identifies with a district and its values has the best chance of winning a seat, regardless of party. So shared California GOP Chairman Jim Brulte, and so does John Wood, who is reaching out to voters to make Washington work for all Americans.

Waters' district turned out heavily in support of Prop 8, and the black community cares about jobs, education (school choice), and with a heavy religious element, a concern for faith and family.

In his interview with Woos, Elder emphasized the importance of the economy and education. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (as well as Maxine Waters) have criticized the President for the poor economic opportunities facing African-Americans, which has gotten worse under his administration.

Wood acknowledged in the midst of the interview his affiliation with the Democratic Party, including his 2008 support for Obama. The more that he listened to other viewpoints, particularly conservative ones, followed by the fallout of the current administration's policies, Wood became a Republican.

Along with Charles Krauthammer and Democrat-turned-Republican Artur David, Wood joins a growing list of enlightened minds brightened to the truth of conservative, limited government principles above Big Government liberalism. Despite the coarse intent of Democratic President Lyndon Baines Johnson to buy the black vote through Great Society programs ("We'll have those n-ggers voting for us for the next two hundred years"), LBJ's ambition is going DOA a century and a half early, with black voters and lawmakers (even in the South) switching affiliation to the Republican Party in growing numbers following the epic, inescapable failures of the current administration.

Having campaigned now for over a year, the young Republican is attracting local as well as national attention. His latest event, at Harbor College, permitted him the opportunity to share the stage with Republican National Committee member Shawn Steel and explain the principles driving his campaign. Politicians are rallying around the crucial importance of school choice and education opportunity, two values which Democrat politicians have frustrated with their endorsements and their votes. Wood understands the importance of these issues, and this election, and is getting out the word on his run in every way he can.



Wood with younger supporters

Getting people skills and work opportunities, looking past differences to create solutions, Wood is not bristling from the fight or fleeing the fire, but stepping in ready to take over a district entrenched by a  politician for so long dedicated more to partisanship than a better purpose for the district's constituents..

For more information about John Wood and his campaign, please visit his website.