MC: What can you tell us about your opponent?
 
TF:  My opponent is a long time CTA-affiliated faculty labor union member, now in retirement. I suspect that he has obtained the union's backing by promising to do its bidding. He has promised to be the one vote the union needs to undo all the good work Dave Lang and I and our conservative colleagues have accomplished over the last several years.
 
MC: Why is the faculty union so determined to defeat you?

TF:  The union bosses oppose me because they know I will not ever sign on to their fiscally irresponsible and socially liberal agenda. I insist on representing the values of our community, not the labor bosses. They have publicly  threatened  to put hundreds of thousands of dollars, an astounding amount of money for a simple college district race, into the fight against Dave Lang and me because they know that so much more taxpayer money is theirs to control if they win. By defeating us, the union bosses can finally get control of the district's finances to enhance salary and benefits of an already very well paid union faculty who enjoys tenure, marvelous benefits and very comfortable working conditions.

MC: The leading criticism from your opponents seems to be that SOCCD colleges are in danger of losing their accreditation? Is this true?
 
TF: The threat of the loss of accreditation is an old and tired boogie man for which the faculty union is famous.  They bring the subject up every time the District is in labor and wage negotiations with them.   Our colleges are sound and in no danger of losing accreditation. 

MC: What is your re-election strategy?
 
TF: Because of the successes mentioned above in providing quality education in a fiscally prudent manner, I have a strong record of responsible leadership on which to run. And because of that record, I am also proud to have a very broad range of community leadership support.  After 20 years as Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County, community leaders know me and what I can accomplish for our citizens.  Such South County leaders as Supervisor Pat Bates; Assemblywoman Mimi Walters; Senator Dick Ackerman; Supervisor Bill Campbell; Congressman John Campbell and countless mayors, city council members, school board members and business and civic leaders have formally endorsed my reelection. 

MC: Veering off-topic, how do you see the presidential race going? What is your opinion of the state of the Republican Party, both nationally and statewide?
 
TF:  I am delighted with the message of John McCain.  It is resonating with the American people.   America cannot afford to risk the election of Obama.  Our Vice Presidential candidate is sheer genius by McCain.  She, too will be good for the nation and our future.

Our party needs to restore priority to a thoughtful conservative message.  People are interested in great ideas.  We need to always turn to the writings of the founders of our republic and to the ideals of the great leaders of our party from Lincoln to Reagan for guidance in crafting our message and agenda.  The legacy of their values and principles should be paramount.