The Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto bemoans Political Future

What a way to start another bloggin week here at Mayor Sam. Forget for the moment the LA Times expose on LAFD, Steve Lopez pondering what LAFD's response time would be if he fell off his bike again and whack his head, or campaign theatrics in the District Attorney race. We have a more pressing concern that involves the latest on Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto and judging from the face above, he is not a happy infant politico.  

 We last saw our Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto at the CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino's victory party in San Pedro. We should note that at the same time Assemblyman Gatto was making his way into CD 15, the City of Glendale City Council was conducting a special meeting to discuss the future of redevelopment in the city and had requested the attendance of their assemblyman. But why pass on a great party when you will have plenty of time in your political future to deal with Glendale's issues? (** or you thought). 

 While the Infant Assemblyman pick partying over constituent concerns in Glendale or ponder ways to lock up more Raider fans dress in springtime Dodger Blue ( wonder if Burbank "political/security consultant" Kevin Harrop is a closet Raider fan?). Glendale School Board Member Greg Krikorian was filing papers to challenge the Infant Assemblyman in a newly redrawn moderate 43rd Assembly District. 

The fact that Krikorian waited to the last minute in filing papers for the 43rd AD, took away any chance for Gatto to replicate his tactic of finding someone in the Armenian Community like Chahe Keuroghelian (on left in picture above from a April 24, 2010 Meeting with Gatto), to enter the race and split the large Armenian vote. Thus, there will be no reason for the Infant Assemblyman to skip out of April 24 Observances in the Armenian Community in 2012,  unlike 2010..

Mucho more from the 43rd AD Campaign in the weeks ahead.

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Open Thread for Friday

From the Glendale News Press:

Democrat Chahe Keuroghelian could face thousands of dollars in fines for failing to report media advertising expenses while campaigning for election in the 43rd Assembly District, officials said.

His failure to comply with campaign disclosure requirements could leave doubt about the nature of his backing and his spending, said Bob Smith, president of the Center for Governmental Studies.

Or anything else. Blog away dum dums.

Two Hours to go! Don't Forget to Vote!

From Griffith Park Wayist

Open Thread for Election Day

Big election in AD 43 today.  Find your polling place.

More elections across the Southland as well.

More news at Griffith Park Wayist courtesy of Mr. Terrace with a nice shout out for MS.

And still no traction for Phil Jennerjahn's goofy recall while in the meantime Phil alienates the gay community.

Blog away dum dums!

Can a Victory by 43rd Assembly District Candidate Sunder Ramani spark a Republican Revival in Sacramento?

For voters in the 43rd Assembly District on this Saturday morning, lets start this post by taking a moment to consider the heavy loads that your neighborhood postal person will be dragging around in the next couple of days.

Campaign fliers, most likely printed in union shops, will attempt to sway you in considering the positives of the democratic choices to replace Paul Krekorian in Sacramento.

But those positive accolades will also be matched by negative hit pieces which have become the hallmark of the democratic slug fest, as the respective consultants (Parke Skelton and Eric Hacopian) duel it out on the behalf of their respective clients.

But with less than 72 hours remaining to when polling places open, the positive, inclusive message of Republican Candidate Sunder Ramani, is growing in support and garnering attention to a possible "Senator Scott Brown" like result in the 43rd Assembly District.

As we have noted in our previous posts regarding the 43rd Assembly District Special Election, the hard-edge campaigning by the democratic candidates only makes the positive message of Republican Sunder Ramani more appealing to voters.

Now for the sake of clarification, I am using the "Republican" only because of his designation via the Cal Access website at the Secretary of State Office in Sacramento, but Ramani is invoking an inclusive message that crosses partisan lines and is resulting in support from Democrats and Independents, in addition to Republicans.

But what will Ramani need in the next few days in order to replace Paul Krekorian? here are some quick bits on that.

** First, replicate what Paul Krekorian did in CD 2 by garnering the support of true community leaders. So far Ramani is showcasing an impressive list of community members who have endorse his campaign.

** Second, assemble a campaign team that engenders support and gets out the message. This team is being led by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Campaign Consultant John Thomas, who crafted the resounding victory over Jack Weiss. One should note here that Ramani is front and center in promoting his campaign team, compare to the other candidates who keep their campaign teams in the shadows.

** Third, stay on the positive. While the three democrats in this race punch and claw their way to election day, Ramani with his "Growing Main Street", "Less Regulation", "Better Education" and holding all in Sacramento accountable for their actions message, will sell to a disgruntled electorate.

** Fourth, get out the neighborhood walkers. Ramani strong community ties are his best asset. Venture out and use your prestige within the community to get out the vote. Ramani's life story is one that needs to be shared with all. In addition, the Los Angeles County Republican Party under the leadership of Jane Barnett, needs to bring in the activists to pound out a victory in Barnett's home district. This is the first major test of the county party team under Barnett's leadership. A victory for Ramani would go a long way in helping the LA County GOP heal from its recent internal tumult. ** (BTW, the LA County Republicans should have a link to the Ramani's Campaign Website on their homepage)

** Fifth, run against the status quo. Californians have become constricted by an overbearing political culture in Sacramento. Laws like AB 32 and a looming $500 billion unfunded pension time bomb, are an impediments to revitalizing our "local main streets" and their assorted small businesses. Ramani with his self-made business background and common sense solutions, are what is needed in Sacramento.

In retrospect, the voters in the 43rd Assembly District can send a message to Sacramento on Tuesday if they support Sunder Ramani, but what is disappointing at this late moment in the campaign, is the absence of positive dialog among the democratic candidates, this lack of positive message and exchange of ideas, may send political shock waves in the direction of Sacramento on Tuesday.

Your thoughts.......................

Scott Johnson in CD 14

** Reports from the 43rd, are that many volunteers are walking the neighborhoods for Ramani today.