Carlos Bustamante Catches A Break
Posted by: Jubal | 07/18/2008 11:08 AM
Carlos Bustamante has had a run of bad publicity following his "water bra" remark made shortly after Sandra Hutchens' appointment as Sheriff, including quitting two state commissions in the wake of that crack (by the way, I still maintain the fuss about the remark is political correctness on steroids. It was just off-color humor used to make a point. Carlos' sin was in denying it).However that episode might complicate his presumed re-election bid, it looks like Carlos has caught a break in that regard.
As the OC Register reported today (but credit for breaking the story goes to Orange Juice), bizarro Orange Unified School District Trustee Steve Rocco has taken out papers to challenge Carlos for re-election. OUSD elects trustees by trustee areas (although they are voted on district-wide). The board majority recently re-drew the lines and what do you know -- Rocco (whose term expires this year) wound up in a trustee area that's not on the ballot until 2010. Rocco was effectively re-districted off the OUSD Board of Trustees.
Since he'll be off the board in December, Rocco has apparently decided to to try (again) for Santa Ana Council.
And that's good news for Carlos.
If you're an incumbent, what better opponent to draw than a very strange one whose mental stability is...questionable -- and who won't actually campaign.
And if an anti-Bustamanate candidate enters the race for that reason, that also helps Carlos. If an incumbent is going to be challenged for re-election, as a general rule it's better to to face several opponents rather than one.
In this case, an third candidate would divide up those anti-incumbent and anti-Bustamante voters with a guy whose ballot title will presumably be "school district trustee" -- a solid ballot title to attract votes from those who don't know Rocco is wacko. After all, Rocco made it onto the OUSD Board partly on the strength of his "educator" ballot title.
One X factor in the race: Rocco, by virtue of his bizarre presence, guarantees the race recevies moire press coverage than it'd normally warrant -- which means Carlos' 'water bra" remark will also be repeated in those stories.
His incumbent status, fund-raising ability and the ineptness of his opponents still make Carlos a prohibitive favorite for re-election, but it will be interesting to watch.
Thank you for your post re Steve Rocco running for City Council of Santa Ana. Also of note is Rocco’s unresolved lawsuit against OUSD. Rocco, and Californians Aware, an open meetings group represented by a retired Pasadena City College chemistry instructor, Richard McKee, sued OUSD for allegedly violating Mr. Rocco’s right to free speech when the OUSD censured him for his unruly conduct. The lawsuit was summarily dismissed because the judge rightly noted that the board majority also has a First Amendment right to express its opinion regarding his antics.That is, they "censured" him; they did not "censor" him. The district counter-sued for $37,000 for legal fees and expenses. Rocco and McKee appealed. A decision is expected in late August-- in the 4th District Appellate Court. The case number is G038499. If Rocco loses—which is widely expected—he and Californians Aware will presumably owe OUSD the $37,000, plus the costs of the appeal, perhaps another $15,000? This is quite a bit of money for a guy who is unemployed. Unfortunately, it will probably be paid by Californians Aware and Richard McKee, who I think have done some good work to open the political process. They just teamed up with the wrong guy this time. Most people would give Rocco little chance of getting elected to the Santa Ana City Council, except for the fact that Carlos Bustamante seems have created enough bad press with his ridiculous comment regarding Paul Walters. And Rocco will have an accurate valid ballot designation, school board trustee. And there are also those who so dislike government that they will vote for him out of spite. Still others have been primed to think government should be a source of entertainment, and on this count, Rocco has delivered. No one gave him any chance in 2004. Best not to take our eyes off him in 2008.
"I still maintain the fuss about the remark is political correctness on steroids. It was just off-color humor"
It might have very well been a very bad attempt at humor, but why is Carlos still denying it?
If he had just admitted it was a bad joke in the first place, it would have all blown over by now.
His denying it, and his continued denial of it, show that he knows he blew it, but isn't man enough to just say sorry.
Vote Art Pedroza for City Council Ward 3. Rocco is of questionable character and Valencia-Verdin has no name recognition. The ONLY person in this race with the talent, manpower, name recognition, and potential financial resources to beat 'Busty' is Art. I only hope his challengers see the light and prove that they're sincerely concerned about what is best for Santa Ana by supporting Art instead of 'Naderizing' him.
SMS