1st SD Mailbox: Confusing Anti-Carlos IE to Republicans

This is a mailer to Democrats Republicans supporting opposing Carlos Bustamante. Confused? That's the intent. Look closely...

This is a catty little piece sent out as an Independent Expenditure to hurt First District Supervisorial candidate Carlos Bustamante amongst Republican voters. It almost exactly duplicates an earlier mailer labeled as the Independent Democratic Orange County Voters Guide from the Bustamante campaign that was much discussed on this Blog. A key difference is the altering of the text on the reverse from "Community Leaders Endorse" to "Local Democrat Leaders Endorse" and to add the modifier "Democrat" to Pulido's and Amezcua's titles. For Mark Leyes the title was changed from "Retired Garden Grove Councilman" to "Retired Democrat."

I actually wondered why I was included in the original mailer from Carlos since I am a Republican. But Carlos wanted to use my quote against casino gambling and it didn't say I was a Democrat, just a "community leader" (I have endorsed Carlos for Supervisor). And, yes, I used to be registered Democrat, becoming a Republican about 12 years ago. That means I've been a Republican as long as Janet Nguyen.

But the major difference is that this time it was mailed to Republicans! The sneaky part is that it is supposed to LOOK like it was mailed FROM Carlos. I'm not sure this is a very effective hit, since the testimonials are very positive and this is technically a non-partisan race. If anyone actually READS the back side, Carlos may have picked up some votes.

This mailer raises other vexing questions:

Will the liberals who complained about the earlier mailer being unfair complain about this one as well?

Who is the "Orange County Healthcare, Education and Neighborhood Leaders' PAC" from Willows, CA that made this Independent(?) Expenditure?

And, most importantly, am I eligible for one of those Sweet PENSIONS as a "RETIRED Democrat"?

Comments

[Jubal]

Almost two hours since your post, Mark, and all I hear are crickets.

I suppose our local Democrat bloggers and commenters are too busy watching the Superbowl to voice the indignation they must certainyl feel at this misleading, deceiptful mailer. I'm sure Bladerunner, DanC, and others will shortly be waxing indignant.

[Mark sends robo call.]

Hey I got a Robo Call from Leyes talking crap on Janet. Funny thing is he was also talking about himself in the third person.

For Example the Feds investigating the Temple vote. Yes Mark you voted agaisnt the temple twice.

Janet being paid by the democrats. Last I checked you worked for Maddox who was in the assembly while their was a democrat governor.

[This helped Carlos]

This mailer only helped Carlos. This would have worked only in South Orange county not in the first.

[Mark Leyes]

7:51PM - Apart from being illiterate, your comment is inane for two reasons.

First, the robo-call pointed out that the US Dept of Justice is investigating Garden Grove and its leaders. Thanks, at least, for conceding that Janet IS under investigation (regardless of who else is being investigated).

Second, Dave Gilliard, then consultant to John Campbell's campaign for State Senate, is the one who discovered that Janet Nguyen was being paid by the Democratic Caucus while she worked for Assemblyman Ken Maddox (Campbell's opponent). Gilliard produced a mailer documenting those facts, and hypothesizing that the reason was as a reward to Maddox for voting with the Democrats on union issues. It is very unusual for Republican staffers to be paid through the Democratic caucus payroll.

If you don't believe me, talk to Gilliard.

If you don't like it, talk to Janet.

[Mark your a trip]

Mark your a trip. I think its hilarious that you actually think Carlos can win.

[Bladerunner]

Actually, I think its dumb since it keeps the good quotes. My guess is that the Trung/Van Tran crowd put this out. Its too bizarre even for the Dems.

As for Mark's questions:

1)I'm not sure I'm a classic liberal but I did not think the first mailer was unfair, only misleading. And not a big deal. This one is not misleading, just stupid, or should I say the poeple who sent it out are stupid.

2)I'm not sure who the Orange County Healthcare, Education and Neighborhood Leaders PAC from Willows but my guess is that since Van tran lives in NORCAL he has some comrades from Willows who did this piece.

3) Your sweet pension as a "retired" Democrat will be the "psychic income a la Jerry Brown you'll get as a WalMart greeter at the Garden Grove Wal mart you want opened. You can contemplate the yellow brick road you've traveled from the campaign of Alan Cranston to that of Carlos Bustamante. And don't worry about the scuds headed your way about Tom bradley...everyone is entitled to change their views, or parties for that matter.

Isn't that a SAPD logo on the cop's arm? Can Bustamante use that photo or is that a problem?