McCarty Limited Scope, Limted Support
Posted by: Adam D. Probolsky | 05/12/2008 11:00 AM
Voters in the 64th Assembly District are getting a better picture of Kelly McCarty's shaky "Republican" credentials.
They probably all know by now that McCarty has supported some of California's most liberal politicians in the past via her special interest PAC - including Jerry Brown, Cruz Bustamante, Jose Solario and John Garemendi.
Even so, some voters may have been willing to let that slide. After all, those donations were provided while she was an independent businesswoman in the auto-body repair industry. It seems rational to expect a degree of self-preservation from a small business owner toiling in California's generally business-hostile legislative environment.
But, voters can reasonably expect candidates to look beyond the special interests they favor in their private life when they take a shot at elected public service.
Not so with McCarty. In February, she trumpeted her personal allegiance to her special interest friends, saying "I think it's really important that the collision industry finally has someone looking out for their interests in California."
It should come as no surprise that most of McCarty's campaign funds are drawn from the same special interest body shop owners.
It just makes sense that her opponent, Republican Brian Nestande, has just picked up endorsements from the California Republican Assembly, the Press Enterprise and the Desert Sun. And me too.
Former Republican Governor Deukmejian threw his support to Nestande as well, saying "...we need Brian Nestande in the Assembly to help solve our budge crisis." While McCarty may be the right candidate to fight in Sacramento on behalf of California's auto-body shop owners, Nestande's platform is recognizably - and legitimately - Republican.
Just last week, another former Republican Governor - Pete Wilson - commented, "I know we can count on Brian Nestande to fight illegal immigration as a member of our State Assembly."
Day by day, voters are getting a better understanding of the race - and the difference between clear-cut self-interest, and genuine public service.
They probably all know by now that McCarty has supported some of California's most liberal politicians in the past via her special interest PAC - including Jerry Brown, Cruz Bustamante, Jose Solario and John Garemendi.
Even so, some voters may have been willing to let that slide. After all, those donations were provided while she was an independent businesswoman in the auto-body repair industry. It seems rational to expect a degree of self-preservation from a small business owner toiling in California's generally business-hostile legislative environment.
But, voters can reasonably expect candidates to look beyond the special interests they favor in their private life when they take a shot at elected public service.
Not so with McCarty. In February, she trumpeted her personal allegiance to her special interest friends, saying "I think it's really important that the collision industry finally has someone looking out for their interests in California."
It should come as no surprise that most of McCarty's campaign funds are drawn from the same special interest body shop owners.
It just makes sense that her opponent, Republican Brian Nestande, has just picked up endorsements from the California Republican Assembly, the Press Enterprise and the Desert Sun. And me too.
Former Republican Governor Deukmejian threw his support to Nestande as well, saying "...we need Brian Nestande in the Assembly to help solve our budge crisis." While McCarty may be the right candidate to fight in Sacramento on behalf of California's auto-body shop owners, Nestande's platform is recognizably - and legitimately - Republican.
Just last week, another former Republican Governor - Pete Wilson - commented, "I know we can count on Brian Nestande to fight illegal immigration as a member of our State Assembly."
Day by day, voters are getting a better understanding of the race - and the difference between clear-cut self-interest, and genuine public service.
CATEGORY:
FEATURE
One huge difference in this race has been the classy, upbeat, positive campaign run by Nestande, compared to the snotty tactics employed by Ms. McCarty. She has proven herself to be completely lacking in class.
You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
Oink, Oink, Ms. McCarty.
What special interest PAC is Adam talking about? I don't doubt the story but a name would be helpful.
Hmmm, I wonder why the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Firefighters Association, in addition to a number of State Assembly Members and Riverside City Council Members would have endorsed Kelly McCarty if she’s really all that bad.
And if you add up all of her endorsements, plus the hundreds of people who have contributed to her campaign, I wouldn’t exactly call that limited support.
Somebody above also mentioned that Kelly McCarty had contributed to the campaigns of a few Democrats, but they didn’t mention that Brian Nestande has also donated several thousand dollars to a few democrats himself, including $1,000 to Dianne Feinstein in March of 2005.
Hey Parnelli - I'll bet you a dinner that Nestande wins going away. Oh wait, that means I'd have to spend time eating it with you. Never mind.
Dear Wolfe,
I’m afraid you’ve got the concept of “quick wit” mixed up with “quick rudeness”. With that in mind, thank you for changing your mind about getting together for dinner. I’m sure the displeasure of your company would have been all mine.
Sincerely yours,
Parnelli
It looks like Kelly McCarty has received yet another show of support from a very noteworthy organization earlier today. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has now come out with an official endorsement for her. You go, girl!
Dear Wolfe,
Speaking of limited scope and limited support, how the heck is Brian Nestande these days?
If you’d like to take a quick peek, just log onto www.nonestande.com
Sincerely yours,
Parnelli
Dear Wolfe,
Speaking of special interests (please see the very first post), I wonder why the insurance industry is spending $150,000 to support Brian Nestande? That’s a pretty big chunk of change, even from one of the most powerful (but not necessarily the most ethical) industries in this country. Could they possibly be counting on Brian to help them deny even more insurance claims from businesses and consumers alike?
Sincerely yours,
Parnelli
To all readers and posters:
Please see the following excerpt from a letter that was recently sent to Nestande for Assembly and to the CA Taxpayer Protection Committee regarding the false accusations about Kelly McCarty and her purported connection to PAC donations. It’s important for everyone to have accurate information on this issue.
"The California Autobody Repair Political Action Committee (CARPAC) is an independent political action committee established in 1991...CARPAC is not affiliated with any political party. Please be advised that since CARPAC was established, Kelly McCarty has NEVER been an Executive Committee member or an officer of CARPAC. Any reference to Kelly McCarty overseeing or authorizing campaign contributions to candidates running for state offices is inaccurate and a distortion of the facts."
Jack Caldwell, CARPAC Chairman
Nestande wins by 17%.
And then you woke up...only to find that Kelly McCarty had won by 18%.
Don't be surprised if that's the way things turn out, because Kelly McCarty has apparently been winning over a number of poeple who were previously on board with Nestande.
Parnelli -
Read your post above that you put up at 2:23 in the morning! You must have just gotten hom efrom the bars and been heavily impaired. Good thing nobody knows who you really are, you;d be seriously embarrassed.
Another deal - whichever of us is wrong about the outcome will never blog here again? Handshake?
OK. Now take some aspirin, you must have a hell of a headache.
Dear Wolfe,
You will probably be very disappointed to hear that I didn't have a single drop of alcohol in my system last night and that I only drink on very rare occasions. I stay up late as a matter of routine because I just don't need very much sleep.
I'm not sure why you think I should be embarassed about predicting a victory for Kelly McCarty. She has received a lot of endorsements and other forms of support over the past few weeks and whenever she speaks in front of a group of people, they really like her. They can tell that she's honest, sincere and confident about improving conditions for the better.
You may not know that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association was originally planning to endorse Nestande. But when Kelly McCarty had a chance to go in there and speak to them, they liked her so much that they ended up giving their endorsement to her.
We should know for sure who won in just a couple of more days.
Sincerely yours,
Parnelli