Tan Nguyen On John & Ken

Listening to Tan Nguyen on John & Ken is simultaneously interesting and frustrating.

Highlights thus far:

• Tan essentially admitted his migration from the 46th CD to the 47th CD was a search for a congressional seat in which to run so he could campaign on "his issues."

• Tan still failed to present any compelling explanation of why he switched parties in 2005 from Democrat to Republican, other than he didn't get support from "so-called party leaders" during his 2004 campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 46th CD.

• He said his fired-and-then-re-hired office manager forwarded the mailing list to the sender of the letter, and then a few minutes later said that she didn't.

Thus far, he's parrying John & Ken's what-do-you-know-and-when-did-you-know-it questions with "I can't answer because there's an investigation on" answers.

More:

• Tan said he didn't write the letter, didn't ask the person who did write the letter to write it -- but admitted the person brought the letter to him. That would seem to contradict his claim minutes earlier that he didn't know anything about the letter until it came out in the newspapers.

• John’s ugly side came out as he called Scott Baugh a “buffoon” and spewed out a confused re-hash of the Laurie Campbell episode from 1995 – an unfortunate lurch into vitriol as a substitute for unfamiliarity with the facts.

Tan heeded John’s cue and unloaded on Scott Baugh, accusing him of not giving him any support. Tan conveniently forgot to mention the post-primary fund-raiser Scott Baugh held at his house to benefit Tan Nguyen for Congress.

• Tan is engaging in furious half-truth spinning, and John & Ken’s comparative unfamiliarity with the situation and OC politics – combined with strong empathy with Tan’s anti-illegal immigration politics – hobbles their ability to give Tan the kind of grilling they usually dish out. Frankly, I don’t think they want to press Tan too hard.

For example, they aren’t asking the obvious question of why Tan, if he found out about the letter on Monday, waited until Friday to attempt to hold a press conference? He admitted the author of the letter showed him the original draft of the letter before it went out – so Tan knew someone connected with his campaign was behind it. Yet he kept his silence for almost a week, even as state investigation was under way.

These kind questions occur to someone listening to the show, so I don’t understand why John & Ken don’t ask them.

Tan is now going to take calls. John & Ken are usually pretty good at detecting campaign-organized call-in campaigns, so let’s see if they can detect it here.

Comments

[nccr]

Tan Nguyen is not the first person to switch the party. Loretta Sanchez switched from Repulican to Democrat. Joe Lieberman now run for senate as a Democrat or Independence? and few years ago, one Republican senator switch to Independence. I forgot his name. Do you know?

I myself quit the Republican because Scott Baugh and OC GOP leaders. I don't like Democrate either.

[NoMoreBlatherDotCom]

Any comments on the Secretary of State issuing a de facto endorsement of far-left groups that support illegal immigration in the "clarification" letter he sent out? That letter is in this PDF file, and my comments on it are here.

The PDF is of an official state document, complete with the seal of the state. And, the logos of MALDEF and NCLR ("National_Council_of_La_Raza) are bigger than the seal.

MALDEF is in a new coalition that has three other groups in it that have links to the Mexican government.

The National_Council_of_The_Race has links to and funds extremists (MEChA, Academia_Semillas_del_Pueblo).

Now, a putative Republican has in effect endorsed their agendas. Why didn't McPherson just go for the gusto and put MEChA's logo in the letter or perhaps a statement from the Mexica_Movement?

I've been an Arnold supporter for three years, but now I strongly urge voting for Art Olivier for governor. I also strongly urge voting for Debra Bowen to replace McPherson, because he clearly isn't qualified for the job.

[DanC]

Matt -- nice job summarizing this for thoe of us who couldn't listen. Jon and Ken get great ratings, but the name calling and obvious need for anger management make only for great radio. Consider their support for the special election and their political human sacrifice which really amounted to nothing.

The part that most bothers me about Tan's letter was the claim of a government computer system to ferret out illegal votes. And sharing private data with various anti-immigrant groups. That is the part that will hang Tan, as its blatantly false.....

Nice job with the summary. Honest. Thanks.

[Andrew]

Thanks, Jubal, for sharing this with us.

Since I hardly ever listen to right-wing talk radio, I didn't have a chance to catch the Tan interview today.

Now it sounds like John & Ken are willing to go with Tan DESPITE the fact that he's been proven to be a liar and a complete nutcase. Apparently, John & Ken don't care that they've now lost whatever credibility they had left in the real world.

[cotoblogzz]

Switching parties is not he issue, as some in this thread opined. Just as his changing parties proves only that he switched parties and one cannot extrapolate any further.

What is demonstrated in Jubal’s posting, is the clear pattern that has been now documented by Nguyen’s actions. And that pattern basically establishes that Nguyen has lost any semblance of credibility.

[Gustavo Arellano]

In the past three days, Tan Nguyen has appeared on nearly all of Los Angeles' conservative shows--Larry Elder on Monday, Doug McIntyre and Al Rantel yesterday, and JohnKen today. In each case, the radio hosts were obviously frustrated with the man who says he "tells it like it is" then in the next breath says he can't say much due to an investigation. Tan Nguyen is either full of it or a moron. I say both but gotta ask--where's the next show in which you will embarrass yourself further, Tan?

[Tony B.]

Switching parties is an issue here. His switching parties combined with this scandal demonstrates to me anyway that Tan is the worst of those seeking political office. His actions demonstrate that he is in this race solely for purpose of seeking power. Period. As an Republican, I think being a Republican stands for something. Democrats and Republican have differing political beliefs which on most issues are polar opposites. I don't think it's unreasonable to have doubts about anyone who so easily changes party affiliation in the course of two years.

[Jubal]

I've only heard Tan on J & K and part of Larry Elder. What I find disappointing is the extent to which these conservative hosts are willing to make excuses for Tan out of sympathy for his anti-illegal immigrantion stance. These guys lack a detailed understanding of the campaign and OC politics, and it shows in their questioning.

J & K handled Tan with the same kid gloves they used to use on Jim Gilchrist, sometimes practically walking Tan through the interview. Tan would listen for verbal cues from John and take it from there. If Tan had been someone J & K disagreed with on a policy level, they would have torn him limb from limb for his inconsistencies.

I lost a lot of respect for them -- especially John -- during the 48th CD special election, and today's interview was a reminder why.

[The perfect Christmas gift for soon-to-be convicted criminal Tan Nguyen--- Vasoline.]

Tan was also interviewed by a KFWB reporter today.

Does this guy care more about his campaign than his family?

With every slip of the tongue he just giving prosecutors more reasons to request more time in prison for this racist refugee "emigrado".

When he mentioned that there was some things in the letter that he did not agree upon, the reporter immediately asked "like what?" Tan tongue-tied response was "aaaaaaaaah" can't remember the specifics"

It not like he probably hasn't went over the letter a few hundred times. He's busted and going to prison...so much for his membership to the model minority club.

[aria ghafari]

my favorite tan lie this week:

the "walk on the beach" story. that is the kind of stuff you catch a 12 yr old saying.

[Ryan]

I agree with Tony B. However, Tan didn't change party affiliation in the course of two years. He did it almost as soon as he lost the primary two years ago. He switched party in a matter of a few months. He is just a political opportunist. He's in it for noone else but himself. He doesn't care about issues. All he's doing is pandering to anyone who will take him seriously. And apparently there are lots of takers.

He's looking more and more like an idiot. He's on all these radio shows saying whatever he wants to say but when someone ask him a question he doesn't want to answer, he falls back to "can't comment...there's an on-going investigation blah blah blah." And yet he continues to claim to "not afraid to tell it like it is." If there's an on-going investigation, then he should shut his mouth and not do any interview or talk show period. He can't have it both ways. The guy is full of sh*t and he sounds so incompetent that it seems like a joke that he's running for congress.

[rebecca]

I liked all the people who called in to say they were gonna send him money. Get those illegals!

[Tony B.]

My favorite thing about Tan is how is current position is that he, and his campaign had nothing to do with the letter. They did not produce it, mail it or approve it. Yet, he spends all his time defending it's contents. He cannot have it both ways. If you had nothing to do with mailing the letter, then why debate the content? To do differently, suggests otherwise.

[Screech]

John and Ken are very badly misinformed. Not too bright either.

They just don't understand what they are talking about a good part of the time, lack perspective and knowledge, they don't understand the history behind things they scream and yell about.

For example, they still don't understand why it would and should be illegal for them and ClearChannel to coordinate campaign appearances by David Drier's opponent, why having her on the phone and providing nearly limitless free advertising and promotion of her candidacy is and should be illegal.

How would you like to be running for office with campaign contribution limitations and have ClearChannel give your opponent $100,000 worth of free advertising?

ClearChannel is a big company, if they want to provide advertising for one candidate against another there are guidelines to how that has to be done and the way they did it is just illegal. IT has to be an independent expenditure.

That said I usually enjoy their show.

[Luis Rodriguez]

Jubal,
I just wanted to personally commend you for your loyalty to ethics and demonstrating, even though you and I are on the opposite sides of most poltiical issues, you understand how wrong the letter was. Furthermore, I appreciate your relentless effort to make sure Tan is shown for what he is. Thank you once again.

[NoMoreBlatherDotCom]

DanC says: "The part that most bothers me about Tan's letter was the claim of a government computer system to ferret out illegal votes. And sharing private data with various anti-immigrant groups. That is the part that will hang Tan, as its blatantly false....."

How exactly do you know that? Are you a voting law expert? Have any voting law experts weighed in?

I haven't seen any. In fact, all I've seen are biased reporters who frequently use the incorrect terminology trying to offer legal analysis. I guess some things are too good to check, right?

Perhaps someone who wants some links could interview a CA voting law expert and get their opinion of the letter. In the meantime, you can see whether this qualifies as the system mentioned in the letter:

usdoj.gov/crt/voting/hava/ca_moa.htm

[rebecca]

Blah blah blah. The more important question is: Did you hear me on the show?

[DanC]

Because the letter cites a "federal voting system" and all elections are handled through state and local resources. There is no federal standard for elections and there is inherent difficulty in various government agencies sharing data on individuals in the rapid manner that Tan's letter suggests. That's why Ballots in Idaho are very different than ballots in Florida. There is also a degree of anonymity (secret ballot) in voting even if there is a paper trail. This is the easiest part of his letter to pick apart so I'm surprised this was even brought up.

[WETBACK]

Let me ask all you band-wagon-jumping cry babies this one question: What do you think about illegal alien(wetback) or green card holder voting?

So far all you do is bitch and moan over one word "emigrado" which, as it turns out, was used correctly afterall. Just ask your "mami & papi".

Cut the "mierda" and answer my question. THE QUESTION!!!!!

[WETBACK]

Jubal?? Gustavo?? Rebel Girl?? And the rest?? Any taker?

[NoMoreBlatherDotCom]

DanC: First, to be precise, one translation of the letter says: "the government of the United States is installing a new computerized system..."

Due to all the complexities involved vis-a-vis legally correct statements, legally correct statements that may be misleading, attempted intimidation or lack thereof, etc. etc. I think I'll stick with my earlier statement.

Ask yourself: why hasn't the MSM sought out advise from any voting rights experts? Once again: it's too good to check.

[No Illegals]

Gustavo, you say Tan is "in this race solely for purpose of seeking power" because he switched parties? What, are you a mind reader now too? Maybe Tan's convictions as to what should be done to fix the problems in this country drove him to run for office. Maybe he just wants to serve his country. As for your statement "Democrats and Republican have differing political beliefs which on most issues are polar opposites" and "As an Republican, I think being a Republican stands for something," what should we be, Republican or Democrat? I switched from a 3rd party to the Republican party in order to run for office, not for power but to affect change. I run as an American, not a Republican or Democrat. Maybe you should try being an American instead of a party hack.

[Nguyen will Lose]

God bless you, Revoke citizenship for any naturalized citizen that commits a felony. Deport Felon Tan.
That's classic :)

[calwatch]

Was that our very own Commie Girl calling in? Heh.

[rebecca]

No illegals: you ran for office? Who are you, please?

[One who knows. I thinks.]

No illegals are you Big Al Snook from Garden Grove.

Big Al Snook the candidate that switched party's every election season and lost every election.

[Joe Public]

Wow!
Is Tan Nguyen for real? Does he real think hovering over people at a polling booth on November 7, will real help his cause? I think it might have worked in back in elementary school, I guess he does what has worked for him as an adult. He real should have step aside as he was asked by the party (he must think he is bigger than the party), but instead he will continue to disgrace himself, his family, the Vietnamese community, the GOP and Orange County. This guy was always way over his head; a) He never was a serious contender (who thinks that one letter to 14,000 will get him elected?), b) He sent out a letter that he did not comprehend (on letterhead that was not his by a couple who happen to be his friend and staff member), c) He first denies his campaign sent the letter, d) He accuses and fires his staff member for the letter, e) He does an about face and tries to re-hire his staff member, f) He has a tissy fit and blames the whole thing on his opponent, which brings me to his campaign theme which is “I Blame other for my shortcomings, I do not take full responsibility for my mistakes and do not show grace under pressure”. Well, yesterday “Joe Public” “Told Him It Like It Is". How appropriate!