Harman doesn’t need the OC GOP
I heard from a little pajarito that State Senator Tom Harman showed up at this week’s fundraiser for Ken Blackwell, at OC GOP Chair Scott Baugh’s home. Apparently Baugh had words with Harman because he endorsed a liberal Democrat for a city council seat somewhere in south OC. Harman then left the event.
I am no fan of Harman, but many in the GOP have told me that he is not all that bad – and that he is not as liberal as his wife, who lost to Jim Silva in the June primary. Harman first was elected to the CA State Assembly when he ran against conservative Jim Righeimer in the one-shot open primary. Harman beat Righeimer in party by cultivating Democrat support. Since them county Republicans have had it in for Harman.
Harman won in his latest race against a candidate, Diane Harkey, who was funded in part by the OC GOP machine. He beat her fair and square and I think the party leaders need to face reality. Harman is now the State Senator in the 35th District, and he will likely hold that seat as long as he wants to.
Harman recently threw the OC Republican Party a bone when he hired Mark Leyes to work in his local district office. Leyes, a protege of Curt Pringle, is a conservative, and many think that he was hired by Harman as an attempt to appeal to Baugh and other party leaders.
I think the OC GOP leadership needs to leave Harman alone now. If anything, his background as an environmental-friendly politico should be a boon to the local party. Republicans are losing a lot of ground because we are percieved as being anti-environment. Harman could help us with that – but why should he as long as we keep ripping him?
Consider also the fact that Harman is an ideological clone, for the most part, of Lynn Daucher, the moderate Republican Assemblymember that is currently enjoying the support of the entire OC GOP machine in her campaign for the 34th State Senate District. Why do they find it reasonable to back Daucher but not Harman? They are two sides of the same coin. In fact, Daucher has a higher rating with Planned Parenthood, at about 80%, as compared to Harman who comes in at about 27%.
If anything, local GOP leaders should be focusing on the upcoming general election, not Harman. If he wants to shoot himself in the foot by backing liberal Democrats for non-partisan offices, let him. The voters will punish him later…
UPDATE
I spoke to OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh today and he wanted to set the record straight about a few things. Apparently Harman left the Blackwell function early because he was on the way to the Huntington Beach Victory 2006 office to make calls on behalf of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also, the liberal that had requested an endorsement from Harman was from Huntington Beach, not south county. Apparently she did not get his endorsement. Lastly, Baugh is holding a fundraiser for Harman at his home, on Oct. 22, with more details to follow at a later date.
My response to Baugh – sorry I got the story wrong – and thank you for doing the right thing with regard to Harman. Now I’m going to go shoot that darn pajarito…
Art, all I care about is that your Republican Chair Scott Baugh, is off our Orange County Taxpayer Payroll of over 200,000 thousand dollars a year. I want so little these days. Sheriff Carona’s files, and Mrs. Susan Schroeder out before she is employed by me also.
The GOP machine backed Daucher because they thought she was their best chance of winning in SD34. I guess they figured that a supposed “RINO” (yeah, right! And Ahhnold’s a “Democrat-in-disguise”) is better than another Democrat.
The GOP machine tried to kill Harman (again, and again, and again!) because he’s a non-wingnut running in “Safe Republican” areas. Even though you’re probably right about Harman being able to give the GOP “credibility” on the environment (Okay, okay… kinda like Ahhnold), all the GOP really cares about is loyalty. For them, Harkey was the “loyal” pick in SD35.
The GOP machine put Baugh on the county payroll because they really do put profits over people, and their only use for “government” is personal gain. Anything that’s actually used to help regular people (i.e. Medi-Cal, Workers’ Comp., public parks) is “big government”… anyhting that’s simply meant for their personal gain (i.e. Baugh’s $200K county payoff, Carona’s “survey”, anything related to the Schroeders) is “effective” government.
Personally, I wonder if you and Tim really have any chance of uprooting the culture of corruption from the OC GOP. I just think the easiest way to solve this problem is to kick ’em all out of our government.
Stanly is a threat based upon the fact that he reminds us just what the first casualty is…THE TRUTH!
Since the bastards feel threatened and cannot argue against the truth, they must attack the individual and his character…by their actions we now know just how much truth Stanley has told at OJ!
If anything, his background as an environmental-friendly politico should be a boon to the local party. Republicans are losing a lot of ground because we are percieved as being anti-environment. Harman could help us with that…
Do you care how Republicans communicate a more environmentally-friendly image? The enviros love Harman, for example, becuase he is a long -time fighter for robbing the succession of owners of Blosa Chica of their property rights. They love him becuase he’s signed on to their campaign to stop the completion of the 241 tollway?
Is this your prescription for the GOP? Do whatever it takes to win votes, principles be damned?
“Is this your prescription for the GOP? Do whatever it takes to win votes, principles be damned?”
Jubal:
It works for Carona, so why not?
Jubal:
Harkey lost, get over it.
Harkey lost, get over it.
Did I say anything about Diane Harkey?
Now try again — except this time, by responding to my comment.
Jubal,
I know nothing about the Bolsa Chica issue – but I am ambivalent about the 241. There do seem to be some legitimate reasons to contest that project. I have heard that they are still looking at several options.
As for your last statement, I have been fighting the powers that be in the OC GOP for ten years because they are willing to do anything to get votes, principles be damned. Why would I sell out now? That’s not what we are about here at the Orange Juice…
Darn it Art,
I was this close to getting a badge and gun so that I could get throught 18 holes that much quicker.
PS.
I blog in bed too!
but I am ambivalent about the 241. There do seem to be some legitimate reasons to contest that project.
And what would those be?
Art:
I’m trying to get you to think about what you wrote about how Harman can help the party appear more pro-environment — like examining his stances. I think you just threw that statement out unthinkingly, in order to be critical of “The Machine.”
Jubal:
And heaven forbid, any Republican with principles be critical of your “Machine”. Maybe if you paid attention over on the OC Blog, when someone trys to tell you to think about your commentary, you may be taken seriously here.
Hey anonymous:
Criticism is fine. I’m happy to debate. Just don’t be paranoids who speak ominously of “The Machine” as as excuse for losing.
And what exactly is your complaint about OC Blog?
hey jubal,
someone said something about carona and you decided not to answer them, why don’t you explain how principled your pal is.
The 241 is a bad idea and that is not a partisan view either!