Never mind what you might have heard elsewhere. My pajaritos tell me that former O.C. Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Levin tanked the fundraiser that was supposed to feature House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi. He did so by telling folks that Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez was in on it, when in fact she was not. He had neglected to tell her about it.
Jubal/Matt Cunningham, over at Red County/OC Blog, seems to be enthralled by Levin’s version of the story, which maintains that Sanchez ruined the event by going straight to Pelosi in a snit over who was going to get the money raised by the event.
B.S. That is not how it happened. This is, according to my sources, an attempt by Levin to get revenge on the way out. The joke is on Levin though as this thoroughly burns whatever bridges he had left in the O.C. Hasta la bye bye Mikey.
Besides – it is hard to believe that Sanchez have a cow due to, as Jubal put it, “the fund raiser would take money away from her.” Why does she need the money? The O.C. GOP has NO CHANCE of ever defeating her. I don’t care if Van Tran himself runs against her. No se puede!
Even Martin Wisckol, over at Total Buzz, said that, “The reasoning provided by Jubal seems a bit of a stretch.” Yes it does!
Mike Lawson, over at Liberal OC, summarized this mess quite well, “Maybe Matt Cunningham was right when he said that
Has Bustamonte officially endorsed Janet? Since he works for the County I guess that might be the smart thing for him to do!!!
Jubal/Matt Cunningham, over at Red County/OC Blog, seems to be enthralled by Levin’s version of the story, which maintains that Sanchez ruined the event by going straight to Pelosi in a snit over who was going to get the money raised by the event.
I do? That’s funny, since I haven’t spoken with Levin about this.
He did so by telling folks that Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez was in on it, when in fact she was not. He had neglected to tell her about it.
Art, that may true to an extent. I can believe there could have been misunderstanding between the DPOC and Pelosi’s people about Sanchez’s involved. Levin/Barbaro might have said something to the effect of “We’re sure Loretta will be on board” and by the time that got to Pelosi through her people it became “Loretta’s on board.”
That sort of miscommunication happens in politics and life in general.
Even so, Loretta could have been a team player and supported the event and warning Levin to talk to her before hand from then on. After all, doesn’t a stronger, better-funded DPOC help her? And if, as you claim, she doesn’t need the money, then why should she care if Pelosi comes to OC to fundraise for the DPOC?
Art, you’ve been in politics long enough to know elected officials can get very territorial about fundraising — whether or not you happen to think they need the money. Loretta isn’t the only elected to act this way.
Regardless, the OC GOP ought to send Loretta a “thank you” bouquet.
Art, since your chismes are wrong more often than not, I’ll take Cunningham’s version over what your pajaritos at Drinking Liberally told you.
Just admit you have no clue on this one.
Hey Art — why are so silent on Janet’s deliberate violation of county campaign finance law?
You claimed you’d be the first one to “rip her” when she did stuff like this. Now you are quiet as a mouse.
If this were someone you hated like Bustamante or Benavides, you’d be calling for their heads. You are such a huge hypocrite.
Turns out my pajarito had a few too many umbrella drinks at Janet’s big bash.
So one of Art pajaritos had it wrong. What a surprise!
The latter have been harping about the fact that she has apparently failed to “fill out some paperwork…
There’s nothing “apparent” about it, Art. Janet is violating a county ordinance, and she’s doing it willfully. If you were the “independent” you fancy yourself to be, you’d “rip” her, as you like to say. But you don’t, because you’re a Janet apologist — you just lack the honesty and huevos to admit it.
There’s nothing for Janet to “catch up” on. We’re not talking about a half-yearly report. If she can manage of filing for a $375 excess contribution, then she can take care of the other three in less than an hour.
You’ll never hold your pet to account, Art. You’re a joke.
Poster 6,
When you start asking what Van Tran knew and when he knew it, regarding the water issues in Garden Grove, then I will start pestering Janet about the inconsequential report that she needs to turn in.
This whole post reads like a bunch of wanna-be’s engaged in a he said she said bunch of trivia. Let’s get some substance!! Yawn —–
Way to dodge and bob and weave, Art! I knew you were all talk. Say goodbye to your credibility, Pedroza!
And now we know Art thinks it is inconsequential to violate a county ordinance.
What a idiot.
Poster 7,
It’s “what AN idiot,” not “what A idiot.”
Your bad grammar aside, I don’t recall you Trannies having a cow when Van Tran’s wife was indicted…
Why are you holding Janet to a higher standard?
Art—
Jubal has a Red spin on this and is innacurate on some of his facts. But Levin was not his source. Jubal’s denied it and I called Levin who also denied it. I’ve had some differences with Levin but he’s always been honest with me. Levin is on to better and greener things frankly. Who cares who Shallow Throat is anyway?
This is much ado about nothing. Pelosi will come here and the Democrats will make much more then they would have had they gone forward with the event as previously planned.
Bladerunner,
Jubal’s source may or may not be Levin – but the hash he is slinging is coming out of Levin’s kitchen.
You are right though. In the end your party will do quite well. The GOP is reeling – nationally and locally.
Indeed if Giuliani wins the primary, I could see the Reeps splitting up with the conservative blowhards backing a Tancredo independent ticket.
At any rate, Jubal’s attacks on Sanchez are pretty funny. The Reeps are as helpless to stop her as they are in Irvine – where their GOP majority somehow hands Democratic candidates the City Council every election year…
“The Reeps are as helpless to stop her as they are in Irvine”
Her pregnancy may, however.
Art I love how you just glaze right over the apparent violations of Janet and mark it up to no biggie I am sure she’ll get caught up on her filings…lol.
BTW, we are all not waiting for a filing, those are not due right now. We are waiting for a fax, a letter, SOMETHING in writing that was due within 3 days of the discovery of the donations that exceeded the limits. She has a professional campaign treasurer, a ton of good attorneys, campaign consultants, etc. who are all aware she is in violation. What and why are the withholding?
It is not a matter of getting caught up on filings, and as long as you have been around in politics, that was a pretty lame excuse Art!
Flowerszzz,
Honestly, I don’t think the Janet filing story is a big issue. That is my personal sentiment. Obviously you and the Tran Clan feel differently.
I do find it interesting that none of you have ever taken O.C. Sheriff Mike Carona to task – and he has probably had more campaign finance violations than anyone else in the O.C.
And why are you all ignoring the Garden Grove water crisis that began, most likely, when Van Tran was on the Garden Grove City Council?
Water rates are about to go up 65% in Garden Grove and you guys think some unimportant filing by Janet’s campaign takes precedence? Unbelievable.
Art it may not be an issue at all….but her NOT doing what she is supposed to do is making everyong think there is something to hide. I mean really, it takes tops 10 minutes to write it out and fax it over. SO JUST DO IT and shut us all up, ya know????
On Carona, I have not seen anything from him violating campaign contribution laws lately.
I hope Michele or Sal or Vince will take on something we almost got done a few city council
Flowerszzz, methinks it might just be a big political cat and mouse game.
Here’s my theory (and I may be wrong, but whatever… Questo
Jubal’s source may or may not be Levin – but the hash he is slinging is coming out of Levin’s kitchen.
There’s no “may or may not be” about it, but apparently I have to repeat myself: Mike Levin was not my source.
In other words, Mike Levin was not my source.
To put it another way, Mike Levin was not my source.
Is that clear enough for you?
Art and Ryan:
The “what about so and so” defense of Janet’s inability to comply with TIN CUP is no defense at all. It’s a diversion. And a transparent one at that. If you guys are uncomfortable dealing with it, just say so. But don’t pretend like it’s “no bid deal” for a county supervisor to continue to knowingly violate a county ordinance.
No. 18 – it would be an insult to name the collection of potholes and broken paving that Santa Ana calls streets after anyone!
Mr. Trabuco,
All of the other County Supervisors support Janet and appeared on the invite to her fundraiser. Who would come after her 3 illegal doner’s if all the other Supervisors support her? That doesn’t make sense to me. Is the D.A. against her? Would he go after the illegal doners?? Thanks!
“But don’t pretend like it’s “no bid deal” for a county supervisor to continue to knowingly violate a county ordinance.”
Jubal, I’d say the same thing about the Sheriff… and to me… that’s an even bigger deal considering the amount of times he’s run those bases.
#23, I’m not talking about the other County Supervisors, I’m talking about the mafia-like “powers that be” in Little Saigon. They’ve been waiting to pin something on her for over a year now to discredit her.
They don’t care about the GOP losing this seat, they just wanna make sure they remain in power and in control of what goes on in their community. What do you think their new voter registration program is about? It was never about helping to encourage and inspire people to join the party, it was about making sure they register people who will ONLY vote for whatever candidate they run for office who can be controlled by the “powers that be.”
Jubal,
With regard to Levin, go back and read my post. I have updated it. He emailed me and said he was not your source.
However, while the story you have been peddling did not apparently come from him, it is in line with what my sources told me he had to say. Your source must be someone close to him.
As for Janet’s paperwork, yes she ought to turn it in. But the importance of this filing absolutely pales in comparison to the water crisis in Garden Grove. A story you have pretty much ignored.
That crisis stems from deferred maintenance decisions made by the Garden Grove City Council, acting as the Water agency in that city. Van Tran was on that council – what bad decisions did he partake in that led to this crisis? Why aren’t you asking those questions?
Art – Tran was on the GG Council all by himself? WOW he made those decisions with a lone vote?
Flowerszzz,
You know that Tran was the ringleader of that bunch, along with Broadwater. They all need to be scrutinized. Particularly Tran as he is the only one who has gone on to higher office. The man has much to answer for.
This water crisis in Garden Grove might well prove to be his undoing. I can see the headline now: “Water rates increased due to the Tran council’s inability to manage Garden Grove’s water agency.”
Art-
Janet was also on the GG City Council. Why did you only single out Van Tran, and not *all* the others who have created this disaster in Garden Grove? How about Broadwater, Leyes and Rosen, who were there for years and years? And no, I’m not a “Trannie”.
As for Janet’s tardy paperwork, this *is* a big deal, and she made it a big deal by NOT doing the filings. You can try to cover for her, but no one’s buying it. If she weren’t trying to hide something, she’d have done the paperwork.
Morning Coffee
Caf
Art – what do you think of the article in the paper today whereby the Supervisors spent hundreds of thousands to upgrade their offices? Janet’s comments are – well everyone else was doing it, and then refers people to the CEO – more bob and weave. Is she accountable for anything she does? Very stupid of her being that she is up again in about a year – nice hit pieces though for her opponents.
I think it a horrbile waste of taxpayer dollars to spend that kind of $ on a TV for their offices, new desks. There are less expensive, nice desks that they could have bought.
Hell even Correa said he bought his OWN TV for his office.
Flowerszzz,
I would like to read that article. Would you please post the URL as a response? I can’t seem to find it.
I agree that the Supes ought to be more careful as to how they waste our money.
Janet came up through the offices of several establishment types – including Coad, Steiner and Maddox. She may well have picked up some bad habits along the way. Who knows?
Did all the Supes engage in this behavior? Or are you just picking on Janet again?
here is the link:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-offices3jun03,1,5391459.story?coll=la-editions-orange
As I said in my previus post – her excuse is that they all were doing it…so yes others are as well….I think it’s a waste for them all to do it on my $ – not just Janet. It pisses me off that any of them would spend close to $10k on a desk and $5k on a TV.
But I single her out because # 1 she has only even been there over a month and # 2 is up for election again in about a year and #3 she has had time to redocorate her office however can not find 10 minutes to disclose to the public her donors that are over the limit as required by law. She is making lots of mistakes and I fear that if Dunn or another Dem runs against her in the up coming election, she will be toast!
Flowerszzz,
Never mind. I found it. Here is the link.
I agree with Correa. It sounds like the Reeps have expensive tastes. Of course it is easy to overspend when you are using someone else’s money…
Flowerszzz,
For once we are in agreement. These expenditures by our Supes are unbelievable. And irresponsible.
Where we disagree is in your singling out of Janet. They all did it. They should all be maligned equally.
As for Dunn running, it is happening. I have already written about this. Janet has very little time to make the right impression on the voters, because Dunn is going to be a tough opponent.
Spending money like a drunken sailor is not a good way to achieve good relations with the blue collar families of the First District.
Idid not see anything about Norby or Campbell – so they ALL did not do it.
from the article:
….One work order for renovations in Nguyen’s office was dated April 6, just 10 days after she was sworn in……
Flowerszzz,
I stand corrected. It looks like Moorlach and Bates deserve the same paddling you are administering to Janet.
Agreed – however in this world she will bear the brundt of it because she is already a high profile target. Who is advising her anyway? She interned for Coad and knows the flack Coad got for that kinda stuff.
Honestly Art, I think it goes along with all that I have heard of her for the past few years….she thinks she is above the law, and untouchable – invincable if you will. I don’t think she is a bad person, but ego’s can crush a person quick. I think a wake up call is going to be handed to her hard over the next year. She needs to get humble and quick.
So I guess the supervisors and staff of the first district should work in filth. The offices haven’t been remodeled for 30 years.
Campbell and Norbys offices were already remodeled.
Art-
Do you ever notice you stand corrected quite a bit? Like…always?
Flowerzzz.
Why did you have to bring up a costly new desk?? I thought that story ended when we dumped our city manager in Mission Viejo after the 2002 MV Revolution.
Background. Around Dec of 2000 Councilmember Gail Reavis reviewed the “routine” Consent Calendar only to discover an expenditure for a new $5,017 desk with a $1,269 leather desk pad. Although our former City Manager Dan Joseph claims it was within his department’s discretionary budget we didn’t let it pass. He was quoted in the paper to say that “this desk will be here long after I’m dead.” Councilmember MaClean promised to sell it on E-Bay after he was elected, but some people do not keep their word.
You can call city hall to schedule a tour to see this abuse.
In closing let me state that I am disgusted with elected or hired employees calling themselves “fiscal conservatives when they do not walk the talk.
Anon #39 – have you been to the 5th floor. It is hardly working in filth lol. I do not have a problem with them updating things HOWEVER, doos $8k for a desk seem a bit high to you? Do they really need $5k tv’s? Come one now!
Paint, carpet, upgrades – yes aboslutely! All of those things should be done peridocally. But if they do not like their conference table, or desk – I propose they should purchase new ones themselves. And Correa bought his own damn TV.
Poster 41,
And yet here you are, reading and commenting on my blog.
“I guess the supervisors and staff of the first district should work in filth”
Why not-most of the residents live in it 24 hours a day.
Nguyen said: “This is a county facility. I don’t tell the county when to remodel…
Supervisors are the bosses, the decision makers, the buck stops here.
Orange County went Bankrupt because the Supervisors couldn
“that any of them would spend close to $10k on a desk and $5k on a TV.”
That’s why I shop at Wal-Mart. 😉
Art – as far as us Reeps having expensive taste, I think it comes with their own personal background. Some people are born into a world of high-class and comparable finances, some people aren’t. I enjoy the finer things in life, but I couldn’t live in a world like that the whole time. I think I’d go crazy… or at least feel very uncomfortable doing so.
If I woulda known that they’d be spending that kinda money on a new TV, I woulda donated mine – $500 25in. Samsung HDTV, complete with computer DVI ports and everything.
Lastly, I received an email tonight from Mike Levin. He says he was not Jubal’s source. So there you go.
So there you go? I said as much in the second comment on this post.
God only knows what bitter Democrat Jubal spoke to.
That’s kind of the point, Art — you have no idea which Democrats I have spoken to — which hasn’t stopped you from assuming they are bitter or relying on your drunk pajaritos for ever-changing explanations of why you think my post was wrong. What version are you guys on now — 3.0?
You have been spinning this thing so hard from the circle-the-Democrat-wagons-around-Loretta angle, I’m surprised you haven’t pulled a muscle.
Why does she need the money? The O.C. GOP has NO CHANCE of ever defeating her.
I’ll file that away with your equally adamant predictions in November 2006 that Tom Umberg was political “dead meat” and your December 2006 prediction that he was unstoppable in the 1st Supervisor District race.
Jubal,
And if memory serves correct, you showed up to Carlos Bustamante’s victory party – only to realize your guy was tanking.
Look, I was one of the few bloggers in the OC to say that Janet had a chance – and I predicted that Bustamante was going to tank. I was right on both counts, whether you want to admit it or not.
Yes I did go to Carlos’ party (I was planning to hit Umberg’s, too, but it ended too soon), but I wasn’t under any illusions he was going to win. I was expecting either Umber or Janet to eke out a narrow win.
I’m not saying you don’t get things right, Art. But you might want to avoid phrasing observations or opinions — like the one about Loretta in this post — as an absolutely indisputable truth.