I could not believe my ears when a “pajarito” called me yesterday to report that Santa Ana Councilman and OC GOP Deputy Chair Carlos Bustamante was at OC Democat Chairma Frank Barbaro’s office last Saturday for a Democrat Latino strategy session with regard to the Tan Nguyen fiasco. Last night I spoke to more than one Democrat activist, at the Liberally Drinking gathering at the Memphis in downtown Santa Ana, and sure enough they remembered seeing Bustamante at the meeting.
One person told me that Bustamante was offended because a relative who served in Vietnam received one of the Nguyen letters. That’s fine – but that meeting was for DEMOCRATS. Bustamante had no business being there. Scott Baugh, the Chairman of the OC GOP, came out against the letter right away – and called for Nguyen to drop out of the race. Why would Bustamante undermine Baugh by showing up at his Democrat counterpart’s meeting?
I am told that Lou Correa was there as well – could this be yet another attempt by Bustamante to get in tight with Correa – in case Correa wins the 34th Senate District race, opening up a seat on the OC Board of Supervisors?
I have had it with Bustamante. I know that Tim Whitacre, the chair of the OC GOP 69th Assembly District Caucus, met with Bustamante a couple of weeks ago and apparently they are now fast friends. Looks like Whitacre needs to have another talk with Bustamante.
Clip and save this post if you are a Republican. Bustamante may be asking for your support in a few weeks, for an OC Board of Supervisors campaign. He does not deserve your vote. We have a word in Spanish for what he is – Vendido!
Needless to say, Bustamante needs to be removed as Deputy Chair for Santa Ana, for the OC GOP – although this close to the election I would be happy to wait until Nov. 8. Is it too late to send Bustamante and Nguyen to the Democrats? Please! They were both Democrats a few short years ago – take them back – we don’t want them anymore.
You have absolutely no any credibility — Pedroza.
I have seen you all over too.
How abound Libertarian Judge Gray’s campaign?…….. Huh
Art,
The Democrats already had Nguyen and I am not sure we want him back. I know I don’t. Shame there isn’t an “Opportunist” Party.
As to Carlos, we would probably be OK with him.
The Protect the Vote meeting was geared for Democrats but I think open to anyone who believes in maintaining a system that assures those eligible, are able to vote, that precincts have enough materials for voters, they are clearly marked, that no electioneering of any kind goes on within 100 feet of a polling palce. That every vote is counted…etc.
I don’t think anyone is against that.
(I had better define eligible: US Citizen, born or naturalized, 18 years old on or before election day (11/07/06), not in prison or on parole for any felony and of course, duly registered to vote) Did I miss anything?
I am sorry to appear so paranoid, but 2000 & 2004 have me worried. We have witnessed the lying and cheating part. It is our mutual interest to make sure there is no stealing.
Poster #1,
I worked with Gray when he was a Republican running for Congress against Loretta Sanchez.
BTW, how is an anon poster any more credible than me? If you want to talk about credibility, start by using your name when you post.
denmother,
As you wrote, it was geared to Democrats. Carlos had no business being there.
I do agree that ALL OF US should want legitimate elections. However, it is inappropriate for Carlos to participate in what amount to Democrat strategy sessions. He never even makes it to meetings of the 69th AD OC GOP Central Committee Caucus. Yet he can make it to Democrat meetings?
Moreover, much of the OC Democrat reaction to the Tan scandal has been somewhat opportunistic – certainly the rally with Angelides bringing up Bush, etc., was an example of that. On this issue, a non-partisan non-hystrionic approach would be better, IMHO.
How will Bustamante’s Lincoln Club friends feel about this meeting? Time will tell, but I think that this move will hurt him politically in the end.
“Moreover, much of the OC Democrat reaction to the Tan scandal has been somewhat opportunistic…”
Not any more opportunistic than McPherson and Schwarzenegger using this to “prove their independent credentials”… And for that matter, Matt and the OC Bloggers trying to dismiss the fact that Tan is the GOP candidate this year.
But other than that, I agree with you, Art. The DPOC leadership was awfully forgiving in allowing Carlos to show up at OUR EVENT last weekend…
Wasn’t he a former Dem that switched to GOPer just before the 2004 election? I’m sorry, but I don’t trust Carlos to be a good Dem any more than you trust him to be a good GOPer. Let him start the first CA branch of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party (perhaps he can get Tan to join him as well!).
Santa Ana’s mayoral choice.
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/electioncentral/voterguide/city/article_1295914.php
I understand that some Democrats would not want Carlos to succeed in politics but why the harsh feelings from Republicans? If he goes to the board of Sup.’s he may well be the last Republican on the Santa Ana city council. Is that the concern? That the Republicans would lose this farm team position? Someone please enlighten me.
It’s funny that people often say they want politicians to get along..reach across the aisle and work together…build bridges..not walls…but when someone like Carlos trys to do that he is scorned. Why? Why is it ok for Art and Ryan Gene and other Republicans to go to drinking liberally and hang out and befriend Dem.’s but Carlos is not allowed to? Why? Do i detect a double standard? Please explain. thank you.
the different is carlos wants to run for higher office. also art is not an elected official. there is always a higher standard for elected officials.
Poster # 8,
Poster # 9 explained it quite well. Moreover, as a blogger it is incumbent on me to show up to local events and dig up what news I can. The Liberally Drinking weekly event has been a gold mine for me. I have had the chance to meet dozens of activists and leaders and have come across many of my best leads.
Carlos should not have been at what amounted to a Democrat strategy session. If that is the sort of thing he wants to do, he needs to resign as deputy chair for the OC GOP, for Santa Ana.
As for Poster #7 concerns, please know you have a number of Republican choices in this year’s local races in Santa Ana. Vote for Gawronski, Gordon, and Collins and you can help to elect Republicans who will stand up to Pulido. Bustamante has proven he can be compromised by power and money. In so doing he has proven to be just another politician who needs to be removed from office.
Poster 9 and Art:
Candidates for higher (partisan?) office and elected officials should be held to a higher standard? Of What? More and nastier partisanship?
The current Congress is an essay on partisanship run amok. Is this something you want for your local representatives? How do you expect to get a library or two? What about the potholes?
True leadership is about transending some of those tendencies, reaching across the aisle to shake habds, find our common beliefs and reach concensus. I have not always agreed with my Democratic Friends holding office, but I try to take the time to find out where they are coming from. I still may not agree, but I have learned in some instances to live and let live.
denmother,
Let’s try this one more time – what if David Benavides, a candidate for the Santa Ana City Council whom I believe your party has endorsed, did any of the following:
1. Attended a rally for the Yes on Prop. 85 campaign.
2, Attended a meeting of the OC GOP Central Committee,
3. Or, he attended a strategy session of Latino Republicans at OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh’s office, to discuss how to defeat Democrat Lou Correa for the 34th Senate District.
My guess is that Democrat activists would be outraged by any of the above scenarios – so why is it out of bounds for me to be upset with Bustamante, the supposed OC GOP Deputy Chair for Santa Ana, when he participates in a Democrat strategy session at OC Democrat Chair Frank Barbaro’s office? Seems like a double standard.
For the record, I have reached out every Thursday for weeks now to liberal Democrats at the Liberally Drinking event at the Memphis in Santa Ana. I also invited some of the most liberal Democrat activists in the OC to join my blog team here at the Orange Juice. I know all about reaching out to the other party – but my friends in the Democrat Party know that at the end of the day I will still be against more taxes, bond measures, abortion, bigger government, etc. And I will still support my party and its candidates. I cannot say the same for Bustamante. I just don’t trust him at all.