As recently as a month ago, it was assumed that Rep. John Doolittle would trample another Democratic opponent while winning a ninth term as the congressman who represents California's 4th District.In fact it was suggested to me as recently as last week that unless our incumbent gets indicted, he will get re-elected easily. This vast district, which includes seven complete counties and parts of two others, is solidly Republican at a time when many people make their decisions based upon a candidate's party affiliation rather than on qualifications or ideas.But the landscape is changing rapidly and as a result we …