Counter-clockwise from left, the Village of Hope was quite well-decked out for the occasion; John and Trish Moorlach listen to a comprehensive invocation from Kindred Community Church Senior Pastor Philip De Courcy; the Moorlachs wait in front of Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff (at right) while one Moorlach son summons the other to the ceremony by cell phone.
State Senator John Moorlach — you can call him that now — was sworn in at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope in Tustin at 4:00 today before an what appeared to be a uniformly Republican audience (with the exception of your humble correspondent and the leader of the county’s American Independent Party, which had endorsed him. Conspicuously absent from the event were many leading Republican public officials, few of whom had endorsed him. But Moorlach’s closest supporters among the electeds were around.
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait led the Pledge of Allegience and was very well-received; the campaign’s Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Pauley got a huge ovation when she was recognized; Supervisor Shawn Nelson had an excused absence (his son’s Eagle Scout ceremony was taking place simultaneously) and was represented by Dennis Bilodeau, and Jim Righeimer was for whatever reason way in the back, apparently out of Moorlach’s sight. Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff was there — but he had endorsed the other guy, along with all OC Republican members of Congress except the neutral Darrell Issa, the other two OCRepublican state Senators besides Huff, all of the County Supervisors except Nelson (and perhaps Lisa Bartlett), and seemingly the entire Republican Assembly delegation. If other pro-Moorlach local electeds were present, I don’t recall their being announced.
Perhaps because it was not being dominated by the usual domineers in the OCGOP, the crowd seemed to be in a great mood.
It’s not that there weren’t challenges to overcome. Pastor Philip DeCourcy gave a lengthy invocation hitting the red meat social issues that Moorlach himself did not seem to emphasize — without naming any of them explicitly, he celebrated Moorlach’s expected positions opposing same-sex marriage and abortion rights and favoring capital punishment and imposition of Judeo-Christian perspectives on public morality, while acknowledging that that was not the government’s role. I’ve heard far worse approaches to the same issue — but the crowd seemed to be impatiently waiting for Moorlach’s portion of the show to begin.
After the presentation and recession of the colors and the pledge of allegiance led by Tom Tait — video of that and more to come — and then a little delay caused by one of Moorlach’s sons, perhaps concluding after the first fifteen minutes of the invocation that it might not end anytime soon, had absented himself from the auditorium briefly and returned just as all hope for his timely presence was waning — the swearing in by Bob Huff began. Newly imbued with Senatorial powers, Moorlach — his sharp yet gentle sense of humor being put to good use — gave a gracious first speech.
Moorlach reminded Huff that he and others had supported the other candidate when Huff had first run for State Assembly, but that after Huff won they got together and bought a newspaper ad apologizing for having supported the wrong candidates — and noted in good humor that he was looking forward to receiving one of the same. (A man in the back called out his advice that Moorlach not hold his breath for that.) He covered a lot of policy ground, slamming the unions that had spend a couple hundred thousand against him — skipping over that this was just the generally Republican-oriented public safety unions, rather even than public employ unions in general, let alone others — before reaching a serious and tender subject.
Moorlach said that not only had the Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies union been a big loser in the election, but the voting public had been as well — because they had been subject to such a daily barrage of negative and false glossy campaign mailers against him that it left them rebelling against them. He mentioned how many voters had sought him out as the barrage mounted telling them how much Wagner’s campaign (and its independent expenditure supporters) had upset them. And he told Huff, who was sitting in the front row, that he was not complaining about these sorts of campaign practices because he had taken personal affront, but because those complaints represented a strong current of opinion among Republican voters. He said that he was prepared to be personally forgiving towards Wagner, but — and someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but my sense is that at this point many in the audience actually gasped — Wagner had still not called him to concede or offer the congratulations or whatever else one might do after the election.
Moorlach enlisted Huff’s help in trying to ensure that Republican-on-Republican races did not employ these sorts of tactics. (Good luck with that so long as we allow unlimited contributions to and expenditures from SuperPACs due to Citizens United, folks!) I have what I think is a slightly better suggestion to Senator Moorlach: let’s get this kind of nasty lying out of all races, including ones between candidates of the major parties. “Dishonest Dave” Gilliard could probably still find work in helping Coke fight Pepsi or Time Warner fight AT&T U-Verse and Dish Network or something like that.
After much of the crowd filed out, I went down to say hi to Tom and Julie Tait and congratulate the Mayor for his role in bringing about Moorlach’s victory. (He downplayed it, of course, but my guess is that the vote in Anaheim Hills is going to be quite pro-Moorlach, despite its being part of Wagner’s district.) I did jokingly complain to him, in front of Bilodeau and (if I heard his name correctly) Mark Bucher that I felt a little slighted by being left out of Moorlach’s thanks given that I had done him the favor of not publicly endorsing him. Bilodeau — I think he was joking — said that yeah, that could have brought out the Disney money against him. Ha-ha, quite the laugh. (Hmmm … I’m thinking of selling my services to campaigns for me to endorse the opposing candidate in these highly Republican districts.)
As for Moorlach — Huff noted that now three new members of the Republican State Senate Caucus had come directly from the OC Board of Supervisors. (Some suspect that Shawn Nelson, even if he doesn’t yet believe it himself, may try to make that four of the five when Bob Huff’s term ends next year.) That’s even more impressive when you remember that there are only 14 of them in the Caucus at all — so we’re talking about roughly 21.5%. Moorlach comes up for re-election next year; and then he can be in the State Senate either once or twice more (people don’t seem uniformly sure) given that he’s serving less than half of Mimi Walters’s final term. Pat Bates has seemingly lost much of her drive to make policy by now and Janet Nguyen never had that much of it to begin with — while Moorlach brims over with it.
What that means is that John Moorlach may be OC’s leader in the state Senate through 2024 or 2028. (He referred to State Senate as the “capstone” of his career, suggesting that he’s not looking at a likely futile race for a statewide office.) From the looks of who was in that room today — and who wasn’t — this has the look of being one of the most important OC legislative elections in years, perhaps even more significant than presumptive future Assembly Minority Leader Travis Allen’s victory over Troy Edgar in AD-72 in 2012. This was a big day — after a big big race.
Videos of the portion of Moorlach’s speech that I recorded (about the first 10 minutes) and a link to the whole thing (if I can find it) will be forthcoming soon-ish!
it is a sad day
Well, if you want to flesh out your Chriss Street stories here, you may.
think that i am going to get behind a truly socially redeeming cause, maybe the 405 toll road
No trucks allowed in the toll lane, buddy.
We’re gonna have to call him sad face Mike.
it is unfortunate to not congratulate your opponent if you lose the race. especially if you were the one making all the negative mailers. I can see where it would a little more difficult for Moorlach, if he had lost, to congratulate Wagner after that nastiness.
but I am not surprised. Wendy Leece did not congratulate Rohrabacher when he defeated her for Congress nor did she congratulate Shawn Dewane when he defeated her for OCWD Water Director a scant 4 months later. Steve Sheldon never got the call from Leslie Daigle either. so this happens a lot apparently. Not sure if Brett Barbre got a call from his opponent who he crushed.
and all those people who lost ran negative campaigns while the winners took the high ground in theirs. Just as Moorlach did. might be a nugget in there.
A concession call is not really a tradition for downticket races like Water Boards the way that it is for prominent legislative and executive races, nor is it so much expected for jungle primaries the way that it is for general elections and runoffs.
Moorlach apparently thought that it was notable and the audience responded as if it was surprising — perhaps particularly considering the viciousness of the Wagner campaign. Your contrary opinion on the matter has been noted.
Why – why – why do you care? There wouldn’t have been a nickle’s difference between the voting record of the 2 of them. Nothing else to kvetch about?
Why? Because you’re wrong, of course.
I’m not so sure he is, Greg. Wagner’s a more obvious asshole, but they are both theocrats at heart.
Yeah, not much difference on the theocracy measure (although Moorlach seems more sincere), so that gets cancelked out of both sides of the equation. Their important differences lie elsewhere.
The sincere ones scare me more.
Last I knew the Village of Hope served and hired only those who professed Christianity. If that is stil the exclusionary practice there, selecting it as the site for this ceremony is unfortunate.
It certainly did seem to be sectarian, and you’ll be able to see the religious trappings in the video. I look at this, though, as sort of like going to someone’s wedding – if you want to go, you have to except that they have the right to choose the venue. I don’t think that this was done with public funds; could be wrong, though.
*Come on now, you know John Moorlach is a Muslim, born in Kenya……well,
maybe South Africa……those Boers were everywhere you know? Christian?
Yeah…..so? You have a problem with all Christian folks? Try to be more inclusive in the process…..remember: “Bring us your poor, tired, hungry huddled masses….” Sound familiar?
I figured some lunkhead would jump to the conclusoin that I am not Christian. Wrong, just that when it comes to matters of public policy I believe that sending a signal of exclusion is wrong headed and a form of elitism. Why not choose a location that has a reputation of welcoming all?
*Who did he exclude again? Muslim Islamic Terrorists, Jeff and certain Mormon off-shoots, the Church of Scientology, Monty Python’s version of the Life of Brian……and?
*Just one more thing…..we personally LOVE “Life of Brian”…..it was one
of the all time best movies….ever!
You obfuscate. I neve said John excluded anyone, but did say that he chose a venue that, last I knew, did exclude and that was in my view unfortunate Why? – Because it implies an acceptance of the exclusion practice of the venue owner/operator. Many non-Cristains, including some that you mention as well as agnostics, Jews, Buddhists and others are voters, like it or not. I am not familiar with the Monty Python or Life of Brian showbiz endeavors you mention so whatever point you are trying to make with those comments is wasted on me. I did like No Place for Old Men for a good dose of somber thought, but the violence was a bit much.
All Things being Equal – self education is a wonderful pastime. You experience life in the full. Rent “Life of Brian” and learn everything you ever wanted to know about inclusion, power politics and the entire Middle East. You might actually be forced to think. Pappa John chose his venue for swearing in because it is the pre-eminent location for helping the Homeless in Orange County. Talk about inclusive……..their mission statement is to ensure a roof over every head…..not counting or asking for their religious preference before doing so. So, we have reached an impasse at this point and a difference of opinion. You have yours and we have ours. It has been a pleasure Bon Ami….
Don’t watch DVD’s, as I cannot figure out how to make the blu-ray player dispay a photo on my new flat screen TV. Need a book for dummies on that. As for the Village’s practices, you might be better informed by reviewing their HR manual and the criteria for residency in their Village iving quarters.That is where several years ago I saw the exclusionary language – people not committed to a particular religion would not be hired or able to receive homeless services in the Village residential program. If that litmus test language has not been changed it is exclusionary and anyone who embraces the organization is embacing such a practice. Due Digilance. Bon voyage..
*Dr.,D., Sorry we didn’t tie up yesterday. Would have been fun. Being invisible is part of our native charm however. I got to walk to the event with Bob Huff. He seems happy John is coming to the party. He says a New speaker is coming in the fall and she seems nice. Sounds like with Downtown Jerry Brown sounding like early Ross Perot (did you see him on Meet the Press yesterday?) everything is going to work out just fine for all concerned. This is a great day for California and we are very pleased for Trina and John and the whole family. He is still Dutch, but nobody is perfect! A couple of observations of the event: (1) There were two types of folks at the 200 people event – (1) Those very thrilled and (2) Those very amazed. Had to run down to the Rhorabacher event, so we missed the food and drink……to see Duncan Hunter Jr. who did not show up…..but it was nice to meet PA Congressman Mike Kelly – a real Irish mench! One thing we noticed about the Rohrabacher event – lots of old folks. So,
hopefully Dana will vote to keep our Social Security in tact. To John Moorlach, we
heard he will be able to serve the rest of Mimi’s Term and then two more if he wants.
We believe that to be correct. Now, we just need to find someplace for Lou and Webster to land. The 37th District is now safe for democracy and the Republic of California. John will not miss an opportunity to let his collegues know about CA History!
Good luck John!
Those of us that live in the district have high hopes you can stop the insanity in Sacramento. With John Perez gone, crooked Daryl Steiberg termed out, a crazy secretary of state sent back to the trailers and feable Jerry Brown. We may have a chance for governace again.
*Guess you didn’t see Governor Downtown Jerry Brown on Meet the Press this
last Sunday…..he looked anything but feeble!
Darren wrote “feable,” which could mean WHATEVER HE WANTS IT TO MEAN.
Wow a huge ovation for crazy Deb Pauly. I guess all you have to do to become legit is to organize volunteers on a successful campaign. No wonder your guys are happy about this win, it is another death knoll for the OC Republican Party. Moorlach is just going to continue to be his snarky, pontificating self and get nothing done for Orange County.
Yeah, as opposed to all the great things Solorio and Correa did for Orange County? All the great things Quirk did? The fact is Sacramento agenda are not going to get things done for Orange County – the most significant of which is property tax rate equity.
Pretty discouraging isn’t it. That is why policy wise it really didn’t matter who we sent to Sacramento from Orange County.
I’ll take snark over whatever it is that Wagner’s selling!
I get that you do Greg, but then again Moorlach isn’t going to be your State Senator nor a representative of your political party.
He’ll be more “my” State Senator than Huff has been, in that I could imagine calling his office for assistance. My party doesn’t have State Senators hereabouts anymore.
Well, at least Don Wagner didn’t get a promotion. So there’s that.
Otherwise, just how big is this? Will Moorlach be willing to reach across the aisle, as that will likely be the only way for him to be relevant in Sacto for the foreseeable future? We all know what he did in OC Civic Center won’t fly in the State Capitol, as Democrats run the show and Moorlach will need at least 21 votes (as opposed to 3) to pass anything.
Moorlach certainly isn’t stupid, but we all know he can be quite stubborn at times. Will he put his stubborn streak to good use? Or will he let himself be relegated to obscurity? We shall see.
*Two things: First off Deb Pauly looks great. She has lost some weight and looks
back to being 20 again. Secondly, John is defintely one with a solid belief system.
He doesn’t get frustrated. He doesn’t get depressed. He doesn’t worry about WHO
is with him on any issue. He doesn’t give a hoot what most say about him. He is very
logical and can analyze most issues in great detail. Eye for detail, intelligent and
many times time offer leadership…….. John will be just fine in Sacramento……unless
of course, he goes to the wrong restaurants.
Winships, Deb Pauly has always looked great. Sadly it’s what she is like on the inside that has always been the problem. Hard to keep looking passed the “how does it feel to be sodomized, my Marine son and his friends can kill these Muslim women, and let’s just get into a car with my under-the- influence husband and drive across OC endangering everyone else on the road.”
I heard that she might have hired someone to help her change her image..maybe this campaign was something on the list to accomplish.
His problem is he gets the gun loaded, but when he does finally (and infrequently) pull the trigger he usually aims for the wrong target. He let Mauk & Co. get away with murder. Meanwhile millions were squandered on an unwinnable lawsuit and he wasted half a mil every year on that idiotic Office of Independent Review – Sandra Hutchens very own cute little lap dog.
“He doesn’t worry about WHO is with him on any issue.” The Winships unintentionally defined why Moorlach is and will be marginalized. If he had spent MORE time worrying about who was with him on an issue, he might have been able to occasionally put three votes together to accomplish something he cared about.
What he really cared about was staying on the government payroll, so for he special he turned on the afterburners and worked hard for a change. Now he can collect a government paycheck, send out e-mails and get nothing done for anyone for the next 12 years, until he’s 72 years old. Hooray for us!
That’s true. The only time the BOS followed him was on the lawsuit with the deputies, and that was only because they were too chicken not to. And they lost millions.
Yessiree. If a conservative Reep can’t pick up TWO other votes on a BOS that’s all-Reep, how will he even be able to get technical, good-government bills through the Dem legislature? Acting as though you’re the Burning Bush is a poor model for legislative leadership.
“Acting as though you’re the Burning Bush is a poor model for legislative leadership.”
Funny. And Moses comes down off Mt. Sinai empty-handed.
Perhaps he will find some support among Democrats for such bills, even if not among his own party, although I don’t want to malign Republicans by suggesting that they won’t support “technical, good-government bills.” (Right?)
*You guys are truly Lightning in a bottle. Life is joke and then we get you guys for comic relief. Funny. All your/the bad karma in thw world can’t stop progress HSR or Desalination Plants. You can chant to Krishna all you want, but the fact is that Kali is still doing business in Kashmir and goes on and on. One thing is for sure: the seawalls on Balboa Island will have to be raised. The Whittier fault may take out most of Newport Coast and unless you change your ways….you all will be broke by 2025.
“I heard that she might have hired someone to help her change her image”
It would need to be Men In Black with one of those little flashy memory erasey things. Everyone gather ’round.
Hey, did you all check out the picture at the top. They look like they are sleeping.
I guess that’s what OC supporters do a lot of.
CJ
At first I worried that I had taken it during or right after the moment of prayer, but I don’t think I did because I think that everyone’s head was bowed and here it’s very mixed. I think that it may have been in something like minute 26 of the invocation, in which event some nodding off would have been understandable. (Had I not been standing myself, there but for the grace of God….)
This was the only picture I took with the audience in really good focus — most gpt grainy due to the dim light and distance — so I decided to go ahead and use it, as I think it gives a sense of the setting of the event that would otherwise be absent.
Yeah, right!!
ZZZZZZZZZZZ
I like Don Wagner. We have spoken many times, and I was his guest at a small gathering in his back yard. Wagner and Moorlach were both incomparably better than any liberal. (Take Larry Agran, please!) But Moorlach prevailed. Good for him. Just don’t seek all virtues in one man. Or so said Confucious a few centuries back.