The interesting thing about the former party is that it was more of a free-for-all social gathering than an actual celebration. If you knew about it, you were invited. If you knew someone who knew someone who knew about it, you were invited. If you showed up at Portrero Brewing Company Thursday night and said to the bouncer at the door, "Yes, I am, in fact, here for the private party," you were invited. But for everyone there, it was an opportunity to hang out with friends and to network with other individuals in the Internet industry.

The latter party was not open to the public -- just to employees of Headlight.com, their significant others and dogs, and friends of the company. But the party was far more meaningful for me than the night before. It was a celebration of the success of my company. It was a coming together of co-workers and friends. It was a party I'll never forget, and made me realize how lucky I am to work for such a great company and with such an enthusiastic group of individuals.

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

-Gabe

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The incumbent, Dianne Feinstein, is a conservative Democrat, a popular officeholder who pollsters believe should have little trouble winning re-election. But that rosy projection is based on the meager Republican opposition that has surfaced thus far. Indeed, it is difficult to recall when Republicans in California were able to field so few contenders for such an important office.

To date, three GOP candidates are in the race -- an Orange County businessman, a state senator from the Inland Empire and a San Diego County supervisor. Of the three, state Sen. Ray Haynes is the most experienced politician. But he is little known outside his district, and his arch-conservative brand of politics is likely to prove a liability in a state where the electorate appears to be huddled around the center. Another possible contender, businessman Ron Unz, is eyeing the race, but there appears to be little momentum behind his candidacy.

But at least one other Republican is considering entering the fray, and if he does, the U.S. Senate campaign next year could be a remarkable one.

That hopeful is Tom Campbell, a liberal Republican congressman and Stanford Law School professor. Campbell is something of a wunderkind in California politics. A professor when he was in his 20s, the still-young Campbell served briefly in the state Senate, then went to Congress representing a Silicon Valley district. He is toying with the idea of running for the U.S. Senate -- he is expected to announce his decision before Thanksgiving -- and speculation about his potential candidacy is sending jitters through the campaigns of Feinstein as well as his possible GOP opponents.

The jitters are justified.

For the Republicans already in the race, Campbell represents a threat because of his moderate politics, his name recognition and his ability to raise money from his affluent Silicon Valley base. As for Feinstein, Campbell is exactly the kind of candidate who could cause her trouble because both, although from different parties, are close to each other in philosophy and approach. Indeed, on some issues, the Republican Campbell may be more liberal than the Democrat Feinstein, while Feinstein may be more conservative than Campbell on others.

Feinstein is a tested political warrior and a prodigious fund-raiser. These are her greatest strengths when it comes to campaigning. She withstood the $30 million assault of Michael Huffington in 1994, and she likely would be able to match any amount of money that Campbell could raise if he goes against her.

One consideration that may be driving Campbell's ultimate decision is that he reportedly faces the loss of tenure at Stanford if he doesn't resume teaching there next year. A race for the Senate, then, is quite an option: If he wins, he's a U.S. senator. If he loses, he goes back to Stanford.

We should all have such choices.

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