OC Political

A right-of-center blog covering local, statewide, and national politics

The perpetual race for second place

Posted by Brenda Higgins on June 2, 2018

Polls are not hard to understand.  The science of polling, even with the basic college level understanding of how the math behind it works, is also easily understood to be not just subjective, but fully within the manipulation of the pollster.

It doesn’t take a scientific poll to see and comprehend what has happened in elections in the U.S. and around the world in the past three U.S election cycles.  People with a real power to vote, have done so. And, they have done so in outright rebellion to those in power who have told them what to do and how to vote.  In spite of the effort of this ruling class of politicians and pollsters and pundits, people have rejected their group-think advisements to vote as they are being told to vote, and they are voting, with a level of enthusiasm and fervor, that we have not seen in our lifetime.

People have, in massive numbers, rejected what they have been told, and voted for candidates that experts said could not win.  My opinion is based upon my own very unscientific polling. I knocked on people’s doors and talked to them about things like health insurance and abortion. I called them on the phone and talked to them about Unions and school bonds.  I knocked on their doors to remind them to vote or show up to their caucus. I have done this many thousands of times in the past few election cycles.

They want to talk about things that aren’t in the polls.  In 2014 in Arkansas, people expressed angry reflexive passion to  vote for any candidate with a “R” by their name. In 2015 there was fury over more special elections and efforts to create more special taxes to fix things they thought were already paying taxes for.  In Nevada in 2016 they only wanted to talk about Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders and had no interest in hearing anything else.  In 2018, as I talk to people on phones and at their front door, about the down-ticket, they want to talk about Travis Allen.

The politicians and pollsters and pundits, have told people in the past three election cycles that whatever they are feeling or thinking as an individual, sitting in their living room in front of their TV or behind their computer screen, the way that they should think because a lot of people think that way, and this is who you should vote for because all the other people are going to vote that way.  The American public has rejected that instruction out of hand, and have become inherently distrustful of the media and of ‘establishment’ politicians.  Funny thing it, the media is now telling them that this has happened because of Donald Trump.  The media misses it again.  The rebellion is not ‘because’ of Donald Trump,  Donald Trump is because of the rebellion.

So it is in 2018, California.

Here’s a poll.  How many Democrat governors have we had in California since 1959?  That is more than a half century.  Think about that, because in the past three election cycles, Democrats, Republicans, pollsters and media pundits, continue to tell Californians that they can only have a Democrat governor.

In the past 59 years, we have had three Democrat Governors.  Brown, Brown, Davis, and Brown again.  Three. And one, Grey Davis, was kicked out of office by the rulers of California, the California people.  In the same time period, we have had four Republicans, Schwarzenegger, Wilson, Deukmejian, and Reagan.

Reagan’s two terms were after the two terms of Edmund G. Brown. and before two terms of his son, Jerry Brown.  Jerry Brown had ANOTHER two terms, after Schwartzenegger ousted Grey Davis. The last time we had a one term Governor was Culbert Olson in 1938. He was a Democrat. Before Culbert Olson, sequential Republicans held the office for nearly 50 years. You have to look back to 1894 to find another Democrat Governor.  My point is, there is not a long or strong history of support for Democrat Governors in this state, and in the last three election cycles, voters in every other state have rejected Democrat governors by wide margins.  Republicans are Governors in 33 states.  In 32 states, Republicans control BOTH houses of the legislature.  In 2010, Republicans controlled ONLY FOURTEEN STATES.  14, in 2010.

The tide has changed and California citizens are missing the benefit of conservative ideals.

In the past three election cycles, the pollsters and pundits and party leaders (in both parties actually)  are telling the voting public to sit down and be quiet, that there may never be a republican Governor in California again.  In keeping with their pearl clutching and hand wringing, over their polls, and research and infinite wisdom, they have given us, Meg Whitman and Neel Kashkari in the past two races for Governor.  There was a bizarre victory lap when Neal Kashkari lost by less than expected in 2014.  These two were barely Republicans, they were wealthy people who spent their own money and the party rejoiced in that.  Kashkari, who had never held public office and supported Obama in 2008,  was outspent by something like 10 to 1, so he got more votes per dollar than Meg Whitman.  The party leaders bizarrely counted in a victory and called on Tim Donnelly to step down because (by default)  Kashkari was the party ‘standard bearer’.

Now we have another non-Californian, rich guy, and they are asking the voters to do the same.  Take one for the team, vote this way because we are telling you that everyone else is going to vote this way, and we need to have a candidate at the “top of the ticket”.

Gone is any language about reclaiming the Governors mansion at any time in the future, the strategy is simply to get someone bland enough, lack luster enough in policies, and rich enough to pay for some TV commercials, but not to win.

There is no strategy to re-take the governors mansion or find and promote a conservative candidate for governor in California.

Donald Trump did not have a path to 270.  There is a scientific poll.  The historic fact however, is that he far exceeded that necessary 270.

In 59 years, a member of the Brown family has held the Governors office for 24 years, 6 terms.  There are no more members of the Brown dynasty, but the professionals are telling us that it is time for the Newsom/Pelosi dynasty to be coronated.  There is nothing you can do about it, we have given you this proper second place finisher, please just sit down and let us tell you how to vote.  Ruling, establishment, elitism, but in their tone deafness, they miss, that THIS is precisely what the rebellion has been aimed at.

Remember, this is what they told us about Hillary.  It was her turn.  She had the money, the experience, she was the most “qualified” and that Donald Trump was a joke. The coronation of the next ruling member of the Clinton dynasty had arrived.  Sit down Peasants.   The pollsters always leave out one thing.

The ruling class are not rulers, and the people are still in charge, and their not buying this.

Cox is a big government advocate still. No matter what he tries to do to distance himself from his own ideas. His only voting record, is his vote for Pro-Choice, Open Borders, Libertarian, Gary Johnson.  Cox has never won a race.  That makes him a perfect choice for the second place strategy.

Travis Allen has never lost a race, and was never expected to be in office.  The pollsters, pundits and ruling class have counted him out, and told him to sit down and wait his turn for the entirety of his political career.

Historically, it is time for the Governor’s Mansion to be turned back to the Republicans.  Someone needs to tell the leadership of the Republican party, they dont know it yet.   There is no justification for rolling over and paying dead with a second place candidate.   Californians, just like Americans across the country in the past three elections, have risen up to remind you, who is in charge, and they seem to be pretty tired of Second Place.

 

Posted in California, Campaign Finance | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

The Reality of the Record

Posted by Brenda Higgins on June 2, 2018

Both Travis Allen and John Cox are running for California Governor, as Republicans, and on a Pro- life platform.  Pro Life Voters who support John Cox have declared that Travis Allen is “Not so” Pro-Life.  They have cited legislation in which Travis Allen took no position, as being dispositive of their content that he is not “Pro-Life”, but provide no real analysis of the legislation at issue.

I provided a detailed analysis of SB743, here.  I analyzed that one bill, because the California Pro Life Council, cited it exclusively, and repeatedly on their facebook page.  There are multiple other bills that are cited as being dispositive of the position that Travis Allen is “Not so” pro-life, and they are as follows.

Notworthy at the outset of this analysis, is that 41 votes are needed to pass legislations out of the Assembly.  Travis Allen abstained, meaning, did not vote, on ANY of these Pro-Abortion bills.

AB154 Allows Nurses to perform Surgical abortions.  49 votes in favor.

SB743 Allows Medical Patients to choose their care provider. 55 votes in favor. (Discussed at length in my prior article)

AB569 Code of Conduct for Employment may not include prohibiting abortion. 55 votes in favor.

AB569 Building Codes for Abortion Clinics. 50 Votes in favor.

The Anti-Travis Allen people have also cited these bills, in which he also had NO vote.

AB105 Gender Neutral words in codes, changing the words from Husband/ Wife, to Spouse.  63 votes in favor.

In 2016, Travis Allen received an approval rating from Planned Parenthood, of 67%.  In that year, Travis Allen voted with 62 other State Assembly members, to end the California tax on Feminine Products, Tampons and Maxi Pads.  The governor vetoed that bill when it got to him.

Travis Allen has been in the Legislature since 2013, and has not voted for Planned Parenthood to receive funding, has not voted in favor of abortion, has not voted in favor of any law expanding abortion or funding of abortion.

John Cox has never held public office, in spite of running a half dozen times.  He has admitted that he voted for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for President in 2016.  This is Gary Johnson’s position on Abortion.

Both men have stated that they are “Pro-Life”, yet John Cox’ representation has been accepted out of hand, and the real record of Travis Allen has been rejected.   The Pro-Life Lobby is just one segment, but the lack of clarity or rational justification for these endorsements deserves some scrutiny and attention.

I am a pro-life activist, and I will be voting for Travis Allen.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

OC’s Worst Ballot Designations, 2018 Primary Edition

Posted by Chris Nguyen on June 1, 2018

Ballot designations are the only piece of information that appear directly on the ballot other than a candidate's name.

Ballot designations are the only piece of information that appear directly on the ballot other than a candidate’s name (and sometimes, political party).

One of the most important things a candidate does in a California election may well be selecting a ballot designation. That short phrase below a candidate’s name is the very last piece of information that every voter sees before casting their ballots. Additionally in low-profile races, that short phrase could well be the only piece of information that voters see about a candidate before casting their ballots.

California’s unique ballot designation system has even received coverage in the national press, such as this 2016 article in The Hill.

In many elections, OC Political reports on the worst and best ballot designations on the ballot. Tomorrow, we’ll cover OC’s best ballot designations. Today, we’re reporting on the worst designations on OC’s primary election ballot. We are not including statewide races because there are too many ridiculous ones, the Governor’s race alone has Entrepreneur/Transhumanist Lecturer Zoltan Istvan, Puppeteer/Musician Christopher Carlson, and Marketplace Minister Jeffrey Taylor. We are only covering County seats or State/Federal districts that include OC. Without further ado:
OC’s Ten Worst Ballot Designations

I would be shocked if any of these people with truly awful ballot designations win:

  1. Carpenter/Boxing Coach (David Castellanos in the 32nd Senate District)
    What special skills does a carpenter or a boxing coach bring to being a Senator? As entertaining as it might be, it seems unwise to have legislators start boxing each other to determine if bills pass or fail.
  2. Driver/Caregiver (Will Johnson in the 46th Congressional District)
    What special skills does a driver bring to being a Member of Congress? While caregivers provide a very important service, what does that service have to do with being a Congressional Representative?
  3. Surgeon/Businessman/Artist (Robert Pendleton in the 49th Congressional District)
    What do you do for a living? Could you find three more different professions? How do you even find the time to do all these jobs?
  4. Trust Litigation Attorney (Nathaniel Fernandez Epstein in Assessor)
    Unless you’re running for Attorney General, Superior Court Judge, or District Attorney, there is no value in using attorney as your ballot designation: think about all the insulting things people say about attorneys. There are some modifiers that make great exceptions: Deputy District Attorney and US Attorney are great designations. However, some modifiers make it worse. When average voters hear “Trust Litigation Attorney,” they think “Spoiled Rich Heirs’ Attorney.”
  5. Mortgage Lender (Dan Draitser in County Board of Education Trustee Area 5)
    I don’t get warm fuzzy feelings when I think about all the paperwork I had to fill out to get my mortgage. It makes even less sense to use “Mortgage Lender” as a ballot designation when running for School Board. What does a mortgage have to do with schools? All four of his opponents wisely found education-related ballot designations.
  6. Airline Pilot (Tony Zarkades in the 48th Congressional District)
    Are you Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger who piloted the Miracle on the Hudson? Are you Tammie Jo Shults who landed the Southwest flight with the engine that exploded? If you are not one of them, you should not use airline pilot as your ballot designation. What does being a pilot have to do with being in Congress? “Fighter Pilot” is a great ballot designation, but “Airline Pilot” is not. This is especially true in the 48th Congressional District where Newport Beach residents resent airline noise from John Wayne Airport.
  7. eCommerce Consultant (Kevin Carr in the 29th Senate District Recall Replacement Election)
    At a time when people are worried about data breaches from big Internet companies, eCommerce Consultant doesn’t exactly instill trust.
  8. IT Project Manager (Ed Rushman in the 46th Congressional District)
    What does an IT Project Manager bring to the table in running for Congress?
  9. Licensed Investment Professional (Kevin Kensinger in the 48th Congressional District)
    Nothing warms the hearts of the electorate like investment professionals. Think of all the movies about investment professionals: Gordon Gekko, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Big Short. Public perception is generally negative, like for attorneys, where people dislike the profession despite their own positive experiences with their individual investment professional. Additionally, what does “Licensed” add to this? Is this assurance that he’s not a rogue, illegal investment professional?
  10. Business Investor (Scott Lebda in the 55th Assembly District)
    What exactly does an investor bring to the table in the State Assembly? Further, when has an “investor” given the electorate warm, fuzzy feelings?

(Dis)Honorable Mentions

These two ballot designations wouldn’t normally make the list of worst ballot designations. However, they get a (dis)honorable mention here because of the specific circumstances described below.

  • La Mirada City Councilman (Andrew Sarega in the 39th Congressional District)
    Ordinarily, City Councilman is a great ballot designation. However, when La Mirada is not in the 39th Congressional District, who are you trying to appeal to with “La Mirada City Councilman” as your ballot designation?
  • Budget Analyst (Cynthia Aguirre in the 4th Supervisorial District)
    “Budget Analyst” isn’t terrible or great. It’s an okay designation that would usually not make the best or worst ballot designation list. However, Aguirre is an elected school board member in the La Habra City School District. If you are an elected School Board Member, why would you not use “School Board Member” as your ballot designation? That is a much stronger designation when running for office.

Posted in 29th Senate District, 32nd Senate District, 46th Congressional District, 48th Congressional District, 49th Congressional District, 4th Supervisorial District, 55th Assembly District, Orange County Assessor, Orange County Board of Education | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Party Affiliations of Everyone Running for Everything on June 5

Posted by Chris Nguyen on May 31, 2018

In prior elections, some of the most popular articles on OC Political in the run-up to elections are the ones identifying the partisan affiliations of candidates on the ballot.  So back by popular demand, OC Political presents the political party affiliations of everyone running for everything on the June 5, 2018 Primary Election ballot in Orange County.

(Okay, this list is not everyone running for literally everything; it is everyone running for offices whose party affiliations are not shown on the ballot.  If you want to know the party affiliation of candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senate, House of Representatives, State Legislature, etc., just look on your ballot.)

Superior Court Judge, Office No. 13

  • Franklin Dunn – Republican
  • Theodore R. “Ted” Howard – Republican

Superintendent of Public Instruction

  • Steven Ireland – Democrat
  • Lily (Espinoza) Ploski – No Party Preference
  • Tony K. Thurmond – Democrat
  • Marshall Tuck – Democrat

County Superintendent of Schools

  • Al Mijares – Republican

County Board of Education, Area 2

  • Mari Barke – Republican
  • David L. Boyd – Democrat
  • Matt Nguyen – Democrat

County Board of Education, Area 5

  • Kimberly Clark – No Party Preference
  • Mike Dalati – Democrat
  • Dan Draitser – American Independent
  • Mary Navarro – Democrat
  • Lisa Sparks – Republican

Supervisor, 2nd District

  • Michael Mahony – Libertarian
  • Brendon Perkins – Democrat
  • Michelle Steel – Republican

Supervisor, 4th District

  • Cynthia Aguirre – Democrat
  • Doug Chaffee – Democrat
  • Rose Espinoza – Democrat
  • Joe Kerr – Democrat
  • Lucille Kring – Republican
  • Tim Shaw – Republican

Supervisor, 5th District

  • Lisa Bartlett – Republican

Assessor

  • Nathaniel Fernandez Epstein – Democrat
  • Claude Parrish – Republican
  • Richard B. Ramirez – Republican

Auditor-Controller

  • Toni Smart – American Independent
  • Eric H. Woolery – Republican

Clerk-Recorder

  • Hugh Nguyen – Republican
  • Steve Rocco – No Party Preference

District Attorney-Public Administrator

  • Lenore Albert-Sheridan – Democrat
  • Brett Murdock – Democrat
  • Tony Rackauckas – Republican
  • Todd Spitzer – Republican

Sheriff-Coroner

  • Don Barnes – Republican
  • David C. Harrington – Republican
  • Duke Nguyen – Democrat

Treasurer-Tax Collector

  • Shari L. Freidenrich – Republican

Posted in 2nd Supervisorial District, 4th Supervisorial District, 5th Supervisorial District, Orange County, Orange County Assessor, Orange County Auditor-Controller, Orange County Board of Education, Orange County Clerk-Recorder, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Orange County Sheriff, Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Senator John Moorlach Says it May be Time For Travis Allen to Step Aside and Endorse John Cox

Posted by Craig P. Alexander on May 24, 2018

Today I received an e-mail from Senator John Moorlach in which he called upon Assemblyman and Gubernatorial candidate Travis Allen to withdraw from the race and endorse John Cox.  Rather than me giving you a point by point description of Senator Moorlach’s statement here it is:

Governor –

The fifth is the race for Governor. I have stayed neutral. I enjoy a relationship with both of the two main Republican candidates. I have always advised that, in a top-two system, only one Republican should be running in this field. The polling has consistently shown John Cox obtaining double the support of that garnered by Assemblyman Travis Allen. And President Trump has endorsed Cox.

For the sake of the Republican Party, it may be time for the Assemblyman to bow out and endorse John Cox. If this is not done, I believe that we will see Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as the top two.

Here is a link to Senator Moorlach’s web page: John Moorlach’s Postings.

I also received in the mail today an “Independent Expenditure” mailer that bashed John Cox and advocated voting for Travis Allen.  Only problem – it was from the same committee who have been putting out mailers and TV ads in favor of former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa a Democrat also running for Governor (at the bottom of the mailer it says: Paid for by “Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018”).  Now you may ask why would they do that?  Easy – if Republicans split the vote between Mr. Allen and Mr. Cox, only Mr. Villaraigosa and Gavin Newsom will be in the top two runoff in November.  To put it more plainly – no Republican will be on the ballot for Governor this November which is exactly Senator Moorlach’s point in his appeal to Mr. Allen to withdraw.

Update: California Republican Party’s National Committeewoman Harmeet Dhillon (a San Francisco attorney) also has called on Travis Allen to drop out and endorse John Cox.  She wrote in a post on Facebook:

“Since it is not numerically possible for Travis to make it into the top two — something that we Republicans really need for the down-ballot — it’s time for all Republicans to support the Republican front-runner, including Travis Allen,” “He can be a spoiler, or he can be a gracious future candidate and a hero. #Unite.”

Craig Alexander is an attorney at law and a resident of South Orange County.  He practices law in the areas of the California Public Records Act, Office / Commercial Leasing, Insurance Law,  HOA law, Business Law and Litigation.  He can be reached at Craig@craigalexanderlaw.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Voter Recommendations Still Available at Robyn Nordell’s Web Site and a Response to Brenda Higgins

Posted by Craig P. Alexander on May 22, 2018

Here at Casa Alexander we have received our mail in ballots.  We will vote soon and end the string of political mail we have been getting every day.

As I noted before, if you are looking for help in voting Robyn Nordell has a very comprehensive web site with voter guides by people who are not paid a penny for their “endorsements” of any candidate or proposition.  Here is my prior post on this: Looking for Voter Recommendations? Here are some?

Robyn has been kind enough to put my own voter recommendations there in her Orange County section of her web site.  Here are my recommendations for those who would like to check them out: Craig’s Pics June 2018 – Final.

I have already written about one race – the race for Governor: Travis Allen – Not So Pro Life!  

Here is a link to Robyn’s web site:  Robyn Nordell.

Today I read Brenda Higgins’ post on this site about why she is voting for Travis Allen and her criticism of the analysis by persons like myself who have concluded that Mr. Allen’s many and consistent abstentions on bills, etc. on the life issue are incorrect.  First I wish to say I appreciate her tone as she is not attacking anyone’s character – too many times in this campaign season I have seen the reaction to these facts has not been to refute the facts but to cry out “You are evil for saying these things!”  Thank you Brenda for being civil about this.  I have said this consistently (on Facebook and here) that either Travis Allen or John Cox would be a better Governor than any of the Democratic candidates and I will support Mr. Allen if he is one of the two candidates running in November (I believe the chances of both of them being the “top two” candidates is very slim indeed).  Ms. Higgins respectful tone helps towards that end and I wish more people in both camps would take that route so we can unite behind one of the two after June 5th.

With all of that said I disagree with Ms. Higgins analysis.  First if anyone needs to step up and explain Travis Allen’s votes it is Travis Allen himself.  Yet he is very, very quiet on this issue and I am sure he knows of the criticism and position of people like myself.  Why doesn’t he contact people like Gina Gleason who was one of the people who researched all of these votes and put out the memo I linked to in my prior post? Here is that memo again: Travis Allen 2018Mr. Allen – silence is not golden!

In addition, while Ms. Higgins’ review of one of the pieces of legislation brings up good points about that specific bill, that does not explain at all why he abstained for so many bills and resolutions on the life issue.  Why he did not join his fellow Republicans in voting no?  Ms. Higgins states that Mr. Allen’s vote would not have mattered given the huge majority the Democrats have in the Assembly.  By that logic none of the Assembly Republicans should have voted yes or no on any of the bills.  Hum…we elected members of the Assembly to vote on bills even if they lose the votes.  Otherwise why are they there? In fact, by this logic none of the Republicans in the Assembly should ever vote on any bill where they know their position will not win the day.

In my opinion the statement on behalf of Mr. Allen that “my vote doesn’t matter” does not square with the claim that Travis Allen is a fighter – a fighter for the pro-life cause or any other cause does not stand down and not register a vote of No to bad legislation!

What this string of abstentions (until 2018 as a candidate for Governor) tells me is either he was ducking the issue or he is “Not so Pro-Life” as he claims.

Finally one of the criticisms of John Cox has been that he voted for Gary Johnson for President in 2016.  A bad decision but Mr. Cox has publicly admitted this was a mistake.  The other argument against Mr. Cox is he has no voting record on the life issue.  True – but I do for Mr. Allen and it is not good.  So I am going to cast my vote for John Cox for the June 5th primary top two election.  But if Mr. Allen and not Mr. Cox advances to the top two I will support his candidacy in November.  Either Mr. Allen or Mr. Cox will be better than Gavin Newsom.

Craig Alexander is an attorney at law and a resident of South Orange County.  He practices law in the areas of the California Public Records Act, Office / Commercial Leasing, Insurance Law,  HOA law, Business Law and Litigation.  He can be reached at Craig@craigalexanderlaw.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

I’m a Pro Life Activist and I’m voting for Travis Allen

Posted by Brenda Higgins on May 22, 2018

 As I have researched the alleged issues, I realize that there has been not only disinformation, but combined with short sightedness and lack of thorough analysis, the reactionary ‘endorsements’ of Cox have been sorely misplaced.  John Cox has simply stated that he is Pro-Life, which is inconsistent with his vote for Pro-choice Libertarian  Gary Johnson for president.  Yet, the ‘movement’ seems disinclined to exact any consequences upon him for that.  The primarily cited reason for rejection Travis Allen’s representation that he is Pro-Life is the number of time he abstained on legislation that was of interest to the Pro-Life lobby.  The most oft cited of those is dealt with here, but the analysis of the other pieces of legislation that Travis Allen is faulted for, are similarly innocuous when looked at in the detail of impact his vote may have had.

Labels are funny things.  They have become a knee jerk reactive prompt, that we respond to like Pavlov’s dog.  We have to, above all, bring humanity back into policy and politics, or we truly have accomplished nothing, in particular, when we call ourselves advocates for “life”.  We should be more careful with words like “choice” and “family planning” and realize that they are just words.  We should also be up to speed on what is happening in Pro-Life non-profits, charities and life affirming medical clinics.  Organizations that not only affirm life, but provide….choices, AND, Family Planning.  Just because we use words that are used by bad guys, does not mean, we are bad guys.

 SB 743, was entitled, The Protection of Choice for Family Planning Providers. It was presented to the Assembly on 9/13/17.  The problem that many “Pro Life” leaders are having on this particular bill is that Travis Allen did NOT vote on it, he abstained.  In discussion this with those conservatives who oppose Travis Allen as a governor candidate, no one could tell me exactly what difference his vote would have made.  The answer lies in the 55-21 split, in favor of passage.  Travis Allen’s vote, yes, no, or abstain, was in fact, irrelevant.  It would have passed no matter what Travis Allen did.  

Travis Allen is further faulted by these “Pro Life” advocates, for abstaining on other “Pro Life” bills.  Anyone who has ever been in Sacramento and conversed with conservative legislators there in the past three decades, knows, that you must pick your battles.  In the interests of what you can get done, you might have to ignore and let go of what you can not get done.  A few years ago, a California Senator told me that Jerry Brown was the best ally we conservatives had in Sacramento. It puzzled me at first, but I realized it was because the Governor, with his veto power, was holding a fiscally conservative line periodically, which provided the conservatives some maneuvering ability, not much, but some.  During the 6 years that Travis Allen has been in the State Assembly in Sacramento, the Democrats have had a majority, (more than half) and for all but two years it was a Super-majority (More than two thirds).  The minority in such a hostile environment, must have some shrewd strategy and survival skills. 

The passage of SB 743, is not in any way the apolcalyptic defeat of the Pro Life Movement that they are making it out to be.  In reviewing the listed advocates and opponents of this legislation, I am (again) puzzled as to whether anyone taking a side,  actually read it.  Of course, a variety of Planned Parenthood organizations supported it.  Particularly puzzling though, is the Catholic opposition to it.   Catholic charities strongly support many pro-life pregnancy centers that will benefit greatly from this legislation.
The legislation, SB 743, does not specifically, or exclusively, fund abortion.

It provides that if a woman is receiving funding for her medical care through a government subsidized health plan, she should be able to CHOOSE her provider.  What is unreasonable about that?  She may choose abortion with that blank check of benefits given her, but she can ALSO choose life affirming medical care for herself and her unborn child.  These medi-cal and medicaid benefits are a tremendous help to those life affirming medical centers, and those centers offer so much more to mothers than Planned Parenthood does. 

“Medi-Cal managed care plan shall not restrict the choice of the qualified provider from whom a beneficiary enrolled in the managed care plan may receive family planning services covered by the Medi-Cal program”  SB743 (

Maybe their issue is that women might choose Planned Parenthood.  She may, however, choose a life affirming medical clinic for her ‘family planning services’.   Choice, it is not a bad thing, and it is not a bad word. The question the Pro Life Lobby should be asking itself, is are WE doing ENOUGH to support these kinds of centers and divert these women to them?  Are we making these known?  Are they as easily recognized, branded and exposed and familiar to the public as Planned Parenthood.  Women, and men, go to Planned Parenthood because they are shocked, surprised, overwhelmed, unsure and immensely afraid.  They go to what they know.  Why cant we change what they know?  There are other OPTIONS.  They have real CHOICES.

With the woman having a real choice, she can choose a life affirming center.  It is up to the Pro Life movement to step up the game to reach these women.  With President Trump signaling that he will be enforcing Title X limitations on funding to abortion providers, this opportunity is truly wide open for life affirming medical centers to expand their reach and their market share.  While we myopically focus on old battle fields, opposing anything and everything that might benefit Planned Parenthood, an entirely new opportunity is springing up to simply put them out of business.  We will miss it if we keep splitting hairs over whom is Pro-Life enough for us.

Planned Parenthood performs over 300,000 abortions each year. They offer no prenatal care, no parenting support and refer only 2,500 adoptions.  That is not any range of CHOICE.  Pro Life Pregnancy clinics offer real support, and, real choice.  Choice is not a bad word, we just surrendered it and let them have it.  We should take it back.  Choices, when they are real and meaningful, are good things.  

It does not seem that any of Travis Allen’s opponents thought of this.  Again, though, Travis Allen did not vote on this, did not sponsor this, and was not a deciding factor in its passage.  It remains however a deciding factor in Pro Life organizations and activists rejecting him as a candidate.

The failure to fully consider the scope of this and other legislation, the full impact of life affirming ministries and organizations is incredibly short sighted of “Pro-Life” activists, but to compound their error of improperly analyzing the impact of this law, by saddling an illusive negative impact, upon a legislator and now governor candidate who had NOTHING to do with its passage, is just simple incompetence, and utter unfairness.

Travis Allen, is by far the best candidate we have seen for Governor of California in many years.  I just hope it is not too late to undo the misinformation damage that has occurred from these improper analyses.

I am a Pro Life Activist, I work in Life Affirming ministry, and I will be voting for Travis Allen.  

Posted in California, Orange County, U.S. Politics | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

Live from the CD-39 Forum at OC GOP Central Committee

Posted by Chris Nguyen on May 21, 2018

We are live from the OC GOP Central Committee, where the top four Republican candidates for the 39th Congressional District are here:

The alphabet is favorable to former Senator Bob Huff. Huff notes the large 17-candidate field and Democrats’ efforts to take the seat. He speaks of his service in the legislature and local government: he notes his 9 years in nonpartisan office and 12 years in partisan office. He notes his leadership positions. He notes he represented 82% of CD-39 in the State Senate. He carried legislation allowing carpool lanes to no longer have double yellow lines. He speaks of carrying legislation to help public safety projects locally. He states he has a track record of getting things done. He notes his former staffers who are holding office: Santa Ana Unified School District Trustee Cecilia Iglesias and La Habra Mayor Tim Shaw running for Supervisor.

Former Assemblywoman Young Kim thanks the audience. She speaks of being an immigrant who came to the United States with her parents. She was born after the Korean War in South Korea and speaks of the hard work and determination instilled in her by her parents. She speaks of her husband and four grown children. She says she has achieved the American Dream. She collected cans and bottles in Guam, went to high school in Hawaii, and graduated from college in California. She worked in the private sector as a controller and then went to work for State Senator Ed Royce. She continued to work with him when he was elected to Congress. She states she got to work on foreign policy with him as an interlocutor on the Interparliamentary Group, including in the Six-Party Talks. She was elected to the State Assembly, breaking the 2/3 supermajority held by Democrats. She speaks of her record in the Assembly, including never voting for a tax increase. She says every indication shows she is in the lead for the 39th Congressional District.

Supervisor Shawn Nelson recounts how he was the first guy in Orange County to raise the alarm about pensions. He says the carpetbombing between Nelson and Huff looks like the one from his Supervisorial race. He notes Orange County has the lowest pension formula in the State. He speaks of reforms at OCTA and Metrolink. He says no one has the right to coronate the next Member of Congress: the seat belongs to the voters. He says he has lived in the 39th Congressional District his entire life. As Supervisor, he pushed for Orange County to join the lawsuit against the Sanctuary State law, the first county to do so. He speaks of Orange County doing more for homelessness in the past several years than any other county. He speaks of infrastructure projects, including the 405 Freeway expansion. He notes the Democrats are panicking right now, and that there can be two Republicans in the top two if the votes are not overly split.

Councilman Steve Vargas thanks his wife. He worked for Chevron. He is originally from New York City, which was attacked on September 11. He is a Navy Reservist. He says he has fought for conservatism in North County. He thanks the Yorba Linda Council for their efforts with the North County GOP office in Yorba Linda. He says the other Republicans were running for other offices while he has done his time. He says six multimillionaire Democrats are attacking each other, doing Republicans’ job for them.

Kermit Marsh asks each candidate if they would endorse the Republican nominee if there is only one Republican in the general election.

Huff, Kim, Nelson, and Vargas all agree to do so.

Andy Whallon asks how each candidate would have voted on the federal budget, like Royce did.

Kim said she would need to look at the budget bill. She would have wanted more middle class tax cuts and protected the SALT deduction. She would vote for the bill only if it helped her district.

Nelson would have voted for it. He would have wanted the property tax deduction to be indexed to inflation. He says most of the problems for California in the tax bill California did to itself.

Vargas says the budget bill was a Continuing Resolution. He says the $700 billion for the military was critical.

Huff would have tried to bring the California delegation together to try to protect the SALT deduction. However, he would have voted for the tax bill.

Kathy Tavoularis asks the candidates what policy areas they wish to specialize in, what committees they want, and how they will help other candidates for office.

Nelson says Judiciary and Transportation are the two committees that best match his skillset. He walked precincts from the age of 18. Nelson donated to the party regularly before being Supervisor.

Vargas is interested in Foreign Affairs and Veterans Affairs, citing his military service in Germany, Iraq, and South Korea. He spoke of his experience with VA treatment.

Huff is interested in Foreign Affairs and Transportation, which he worked on in the Legislature. He cites the three transcontinental rail lines and freeways in the district. He notes the district is very diverse, with 55 languages spoken. His wife is an immigrant from Asia. He speaks of his work electing others, including Ling-Ling Chang and Young Kim.

Kim speaks of Foreign Affairs and Transportation, which she served on in the Assembly. She cites the freeways in the district. She notes her work with Royce on Foreign Affairs issues. She cites the diversity of the district. She would mentor staff.

Sara Catalan asks about the diversity of the district and how to reach out to communities.

Vargas notes the district is 32% Asian and 34% Hispanic. He notes the even split of political parties in the district. He says good staff are key.

Huff hired good staff in the district. He attends community events in various ethnic communities and learned to sing in their languages. He says he would go to the communities not expect them to go to him. He listed various staff of different ethnicities he hired.

Kim says she represents the district, which has never had an Asian Member of Congress. She formed the Asian Pacific Advisory Council when Royce was elected. She says this helps on Foreign Affairs, including legislation on Vietnam and North Korea.

Nelson brings up Jay Kim, the indicted Congressman from Diamond Bar. He says there is no majority in the district. He says you have to bring people together. He coached his son’s basketball team, on which his son was the sole white team member. He says they must go to the communities and just listen to their concerns.

8:06 PM: The forum is completed.

The Central Committee honors Diane McGlinchey as the OC GOP Volunteer of the Month. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher calls in from Washington, DC to congratulate her and express his appreciation for her 30 years of service. She receives certificates from the offices of Senator John Moorlach, Assemblyman Matthew Harper, Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey, and Supervisor Michelle Steel. She also receives a certificate from the Orange County Federation of Republican Women and the Huntington Harbor Republican Women Federated.

Posted in 39th Congressional District, Republican Central Committee | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

CD-39: DCCC TV Ads Hit Nelson and Huff

Posted by Chris Nguyen on May 8, 2018

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched two TV commercials attacking Republican candidates in the 39th Congressional District.  Presumably, the DCCC is concerned that no Democrat will make the top two in CD-39.  The DCCC ad hitting Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson (R-Fullerton) attacks his pension and vehicle.  The DCCC ad hitting former Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) attacks him for votes on sales taxes, income taxes, vehicle license fees, and port containers.  OC Political is not aware of a DCCC ad hitting former Assemblywoman Young Kim (R-Fullerton).

While those who follow Congressional politics know that DCCC is the official campaign vehicle of House Democrats, the average voter is probably not aware of who they are.  Additionally, D-Triple-C is the usual pronunciation of the committee name, but the ad refers to the committee as the D-C-C-C.  (The “About Us” page of the DCCC’s official web site even has a giant heading labelled “D-Triple-C” on it.)  A casual viewer will not necessarily make the association with the House Democrats.  The DCCC disclaimer is perfectly legal, but they mask its association with the Democrats as much as possible since the target audience of these ads are Republicans, especially considering the anti-tax angle with the Huff ad.

Interestingly, the DCCC publishes opposition research files online.  Presumably, this is to make it easy for independent expenditures to fire at candidates without having to reinvent the wheel by researching information that the DCCC already found.  Also presumably, the complete files are not published, as it would seem reasonable the DCCC wouldn’t want to reveal its entire hand.  The DCCC’s Nelson file is 18 pages long.   The DCCC’s Huff file is 38 pages long.  The DCCC’s Kim file is a whopping 208 pages long.

While the content for the “Can’t Afford Nelson” TV ad is drawn from the DCCC’s Nelson file, the content for the “Huff Puff” ad is not drawn from the DCCC’s Huff file, but rather from the Enough Huff web site set up by Howard Ahmanson.

Specifically, the anti-Nelson ad uses an Orange County Register quote of Senator Pat Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) regarding Nelson’s pension, a Register editorial on his pension (twice), and a Register article on his vehicle and car allowance.  The anti-Huff ad uses a San Gabriel Valley Tribune article quoted at the bottom of Enough Huff’s tax page.  The anti-Huff ad also digs up Huff’s vote on SB 974 from 2008 and the CalChamber’s job killer bill list.

DCCC Ad: “Can’t Afford Nelson”

“Doublespeak…disturbing…shocking…” That’s what Supervisor Shawn Nelson’s Republican colleague said about his pension hypocrisy.  Nelson promised to cut pensions, then signed up for the most lucrative pension available that ultimately cost taxpayers a quarter-million dollars, and Shawn Nelson drove a taxpayer-funded $44,000 Prius on top of a $9,000 a year car allowance.  The OC Register said that “Nelson…disappoints…on pensions…”  Shawn Nelson for Congress?  We can’t afford it.   DCCC is responsible for the content of this advertising.

DCCC Ad: “Huff Puff”

Sacramento Politician Bob Huff huffs and puffs about lower taxes, but did you know Huff supported billions in higher sales taxes, higher income taxes, and higher vehicle license fees?  Bob Huff even voted to tax every container shipped through major California ports.  The Chamber of Commerce called it a “job killer” bill that would hurt our local economy.  Bob Huff: he huffs, and he puffs but will make your taxes go up.  DCCC is responsible for the content of this advertising.

Posted in 39th Congressional District | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Looking for Voter Recommendations? Here are some!

Posted by Craig P. Alexander on May 8, 2018

Absentee ballots should be arriving in voter’s mailboxes starting today for the June 5, 2018 primary election.  Many voters I know ask for advice on who to vote for during election season.  To help them, I publish my Craig’s Picks Voter Recommendations.  Other friends like Nancy Sandoval do as well.  One of the best sources is the site maintained by my good friend Robyn Nordell.  Robyn (like Nancy and I) does painstaking research about candidates and propositions then publishes her recommendations at her web site.  Plus she is very kind to publish my own, Nancy’s and others’ (like some guy named John Moorlach!).  We do not always agree on a particular race or proposition, but we all are pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and limited government.  None of us take any money for “endorsements” or our recommendations for or against any candidate, proposition or measure.

If you would like to see my Voter Recommendations here is a link to Craig’s Pics June 2018 – Final.

I have already chimed in on one aspect of the race for Governor here: Travis Allen – Not So Pro-life!

If you would like to see Robyn Nordell’s web site here is a link to her main page: Robyn Nordell.

If you would like to see Robyn Nordell’s Orange County web site page for her recommendations for Orange County specific races and scroll down for links to my recommendations and others like Nancy Sandoval’s here is the link: Robyn’s Orange County Page.

I encourage all conservative voters to vote in this primary race.  Not voting may allow two Democrats advance to the “Top Two” run off in November for certain races!

Craig Alexander is an attorney at law and a resident of South Orange County.  He practices law in the areas of the California Public Records Act, Office / Commercial Leasing, Insurance Law,  HOA law, Business Law and Litigation.  He can be reached at Craig@craigalexanderlaw.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »