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The People's Reporter

Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:38 PM PDT

E-MAIL STORY

Loyal readers of Cafe San Diego are used to The People's Reporter drill: I'm your reporter for the day. But we're putting a different twist on it Wednesday.

In case you didn't see the big stories plastered all over our front page the last two days, my colleague Kelly Bennett and I just completed a two-part in-depth profile into the life of George Gorton, an international political consultant who in many ways got his start here in San Diego helping guide the career of former mayor, senator and governor Pete Wilson.

But he's lived a life that's been much more than just politics. I didn't want to put it into the story, but when I was working on the story I couldn't help but describe George as a sort of mix between Austin Powers and an intelligent Forrest Gump, always ending up in the middle of some historical event.

If you haven't yet, read part one and part two. Between our other duties here, we've been working on the stories since February. People say they like part two the best, for what it's worth.

Anyways, I'm here Wednesday to take your questions. I've already gotten a few of them that I'll address tomorrow.

Let me know: Anything we didn't cover that you have questions about? Trying to reconcile, like some readers, the dual life of a cutthroat political consultant and a spiritual guru? Trying to figure out how a successful political consultant decides to live in an RV? Want to know why or how we reporters did anything or made any decisions on the story?

Now's your chance.

Please e-mail me here or just submit any questions/comments below in the blog. I look forward to it.

-- ANDREW DONOHUE

6 Comments so far on this story...

Your great two-part article, which is true, makes one think of a great spy novel, complete with characters. The only difference is that it is true. Thanks so much for sharing George Gorton with all of us. His life is an inspiration, although somehow I think he probably wouldn't believe that. It would be fascinating to hear all of the rest of his life, and what actually brought him to his RV. Thanks again.

Posted by San Marcos says, | reply to this comment
June 25, 2008 6:52 am

I couldn't help but describe George as a sort of mix between Austin Powers and an intelligent Forrest Gump..... BEST line I have heard in some time!

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
June 25, 2008 8:19 am

So why did Pete Wilson really dump George Gorton? They were like brothers in arms. George created Pete Wilson.

Posted by Watcher | reply to this comment
June 25, 2008 8:42 am

Hi, Andrew. There was clearly a very contentious debate the other day at the City Council proceedings regarding the Grant Thornton consulting contract, entered into by the Mayor's office to study proposed areas for "managed competition" of various City functions. I think the biggest issue was, how much have the City and the taxpayers received, to this point, in actual, concrete results from this contract? It may be a challenging task, but would you be willing to dig deep today, and see what you can come up with on this important issue? Thanks.

Posted by Robert E. Lee | reply to this comment
June 25, 2008 10:02 am

Yawn!!! I see the Gorton pieces got zero responses from readers...

Posted by Robert | reply to this comment
June 26, 2008 7:44 am

I thought your Gorton pieces were a huge was of time and energy--for the writers and certainly for readers. I wrote you telling you why and posted a comment in this space explaining the reasoning but the comment never appeared?

Posted by BarryJ | reply to this comment
June 28, 2008 10:10 am

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