Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

"Trick or Treat, Vote for Me, Absentee!"

Its a political Halloween as candidates change into multiple costume personas, to trick the electorate into treating their campaigns seriously, leading up to Election Day.

As we announce the bloggin two-week warning to Election Day, the campaigning has taken on a political Halloween aura, as the various candidates jump in and out of various costume of political personas, seeking the treat of your vote.

Current City Controller and Mayoral Candidate Wendy “The Villar Greuel” trotted out her “silence the  messenger persona” last evening at the Mayoral Debate at Cal State LA, as she sought to portrait herself as the crusading messenger against “WASTE, FRAUD and ABUSE” , who an unrepentant City Council would love to silence. Next!

Former Bet Tzedek Executive Director and Assemblyman Mike Feuer would love you to believe that his Sacramento vote-changing ways, combine with his administrating “tens of lawyers (times two) at Bet Tzedek, along with hundreds of enabling endorsements and NO trail court experience, makes him an worthy candidate for City Attorney? Next!

Termed out CD 3 City Councilman Dennis Zine, attempts to one up his “Denise Zine Drag Persona” by attempting to be come the City Controller “Manly Valley Greuel” incarnation, is not getting rave reviews (or endorsements). Next!

The termed-out Assembly duo of Felipe Fuentes  and “Two-face Bob” Blumenfeld, would love the voters of CD 7 and CD 3 respectively, believe that their city council personas are authentic via the union label. Next!

A certain “Westside White Guy” purveyor of puffy “Pop Star Missives” has the gall to call Ron Kaye a “broken record” for espousing support of Kevin James and Jan Perry? This from the same supposed “Westside Pulitzer”? Next! 

Rumors are that CD 9 City Council Candidate and State Senator Curren Price, has been seen as the persona of a “yellow, smiling, non-union dot”? More on that Later.

Your thoughts …………..
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Brief on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

What stories the walls of the new Hollenbeck Police Station could tell, if they could speak.

Great Excessive Heat Warning Tuesday to all as we remind our cyber audience, that proper hydration is important on this day. But before we move onto the present political news of the day, pause with us as we observed a bloggin anniversary.

As members of the surrounding community gather at the Hollenbeck Police Station for tonight's National Night Out festivities, who among the many local activists will remember what happen three years ago when CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar saw a certain ex. staffer (there are many) among the masses. We cut and paste these comments on what happens next 

** Everyone saw Jose lose it. He was up on stage when he heard Henry Casas was in the audience and starting questioning everyone about why Henry was there. He stormed up to that young girl, put is hands in her face-so close I was just waiting for him to strike her and just starting screaming at her. Everyone just stood there scared. It was ugly, he stormed off, she looked so terrified I thought she was going to cry.August 06, 2009 12:07 AM

..... and this comment from a "person in blue"

** Hey I'm an officer with LAPD and I was there. We did see the incident but we had community folks come up to us later and tell us what happen. They were very upset, unfortunately no one on staff said anything when asked about it. To tell you the truth it makes me sick that he could get away with that. It might have to do with his sister-in-law working at the station. What we did see and what is all the talk at the station was what Huizar's office did to there former Chief Henry Casas. As soon as he got to the event they sent a staff person to follow him around. It was funny to watch. I mean they were on him like white on rice. Everyone of us noticed it and even made joke to Henry about Huizar having lo-jack on him. Henry if you read this stuff you are welcome in Hollenbeck any time. Jose, I never liked you after your anti cop statements at the Ramon Gardens and after Henry left your office your stock went down even lower with us but to scare the crap out of one your young female staff is just the last straw. Hope to god that you never mess up and break the law infront of me because I don't care what management tells me to do, I would take you down hard.August 06, 2009 9:33 AM.

Three years later, what will happen tonight on a hot evening? Be there to see.

** OTHER NEWS: 

** We are sure the air conditioning will be on in the Ron Denton Room at LAPD Headquarters tonight as the two finalists for the Office of Los Angeles County District Attorney face off in their first debate. In recent financial disclosures, Alan Jackson had a surprising lead over Jackie Lacey in fundraising.

** Lets call for the stinking tote on the final cost of the Red Rabble (Occupy LA in pregressive terms) illegal squatting on City Hall green space. ............ and the total is $4.3 Million Dollars!! Meanwhile, the City Clowncil Central Committee wants Neighborhood Councils to pay for their own elections. In the words of Mayor Antonio Villar "Democracy is Messy" .... and stinks on occasions.

** Ron Kaye has some blunt words for the multiple political personas of current Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield. "Two-face Bob" is the latest Sacramento politico to look south to 200 Spring Street, in the hope of rising his political standard of living.

** BREAKING NEWS!! Mexico 3, Japan 1. Mexico advances to Men's Soccer Gold Medal match, stay clear of Pacific Ave. in Huntington Park.

Your thoughts ................
Scott Johnson in CD 14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Primary Post-Mortem

Presidential politics bore me to tears, and for some reason, this cycle is especially bad. The posturing, the panting pundits, the pageantry, the puppets—err, candidates. It all just grates on my nerves. So, let’s go local, because despite a record low statewide turnout, it was a fun night with a few unexpected twists in the Mayor Sam faves.

Who knew? Despite Stuart Waldman’s key endorsements and perceived front-runner status, Bob Blumenfield pulled an impressive—and decisive—53% in a four-way race. Waldman and Laurette Healey each drew 21%.

No surprise there… Fran Pavley defeated Lloyd Levine 2-to-1. Unfortunately (as others have pointed out), this doesn’t mean he will now go away. Someone, somewhere, will find him a public teat to nurse while planning his next run.

Lord, have mercy! In recent weeks, Bernard Parks locked up a series of big endorsements and the momentum appeared to be on his side, but yesterday he fell short of the magical 50%—and, um, short of Mark Ridley-Thomas by five. The two face a run-off in November. Here’s to five more months of great bloggings from Parks!

This is your open thread for the day. Feel free to gloat, lament, and analyze—or, completely change the subject.

Fun Photos of AD 40: It's Almost Over Folks

Laurette Healey can't spell:

Bob Blumenfield goes for the naughty vote:

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Sunday

Think what you might about Zuma Dogg and Matt Dowd but if what the Mutt reports is true, I am aghast. While holding down a Venice Beach performance space for Dowd as the Kiwi gadfly ran an errand, Zuma was hassled by Venice Beach officials and LAPD officers who wanted to hand the space over to a "performer" who juggles machetes from a ladder. Oh yea that's really something servants of public safety should be protecting!

An audit by City Controller Laura Chick makes the finding that Los Angeles World Airports chief Gina Marie Lindsay did not unlawfully influence two different evaluation panels to choose a contractor which she had previous ties to in the awarding of lucrative construction contracts at LAX. However, insiders at the Airports department say otherwise.

Yet another tax increase! Assemblyman Mike Feuer got his fellow members to pass a local sales tax increase to fund the MTA. However you'll get a chance to vote on it, probably in November.

South Bay Area Congresswoman Laura Richardson who lost a home in Sacramento following foreclosure has two other homes in Long Beach and San Pedro that have fallen into default at least six times according to The San Diego Union Tribune. Richardson acknowledged using her personal funds to pay for her campaigns instead of paying her bills. She will face two challengers in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Looks like Bob Blumenfield has secured the animal wacko vote. Too bad cats and dogs can't vote though. Well at least not yet; don't put any ideas in Richard Alarcon's head.
And finally, If you're looking for some interesting family entertainment, check out the Toy Theatre Festival at the Music Center on June 14th. Toy Theatre is a genre of puppetry in which plays are enacted using two-dimensional rod puppets in a small model theatre.

Blumenfield/Berman: "Beyond the Envelope"

The controversy continues for Assembly candidate Bob Blumenfield as the issue of a questionable independent expenditure committee set up by his father Michael Blumenfield and employer Congressman Howard Berman.

Linda Sutton, a writer and active supporter of Blumenfield opponent Laurette Healey said "Of course, we have to really IMAGINE that there is no coordination between the campaign and the father across the street and the employer of 18 years. This IS a stretch, but, hey, can we really IMAGINE THIS???"

"the actions of the Blumenfields go far beyond the envelope as it is usually interpreted"

The Sister City had the opportunity to speak with a veteran of several campaigns who knows a thing or two about campaign finance law. Our source told us that "the actions of the Blumenfields go far beyond the envelope as it is usually interpreted. On just about every campaign where it has been an issue, the rules on coordination have been applied to mean that you can barely even have a social conversation with anyone affiliated with an IE. If one Blumenfield said to the other something as simple as 'We aren't getting much support east of the 405', that could be a violation. And if the parents were canvassing, they certainly know where the campaign is investing time and resources."

Is the District Attorney investigating?

So When Is Coordination Not Coordination?

If you support a candidate for office in California you can raise money on their behalf and receive contributions in excess of the maximums allowed for one individual to donate directly to a candidate. You can then campaign on their behalf, print brochures, run TV commercials, make phone calls, etc. provided there is no coordination between your independent expenditure committee (IEC) and the candidate's campaign itself.

Normally IECs are formed by unions, associations or other special interests that want to elect a certain candidate. In this situations it is easy to maintain the "wall of seperation" between the IEC and the candidate.

However one controversial IEC of late is one formed by the father and employer of a candidate. Bob Blumenfield is running for the Democratic nomination for the 40th Assembly District and his father political consultant Michael and employer Congressman Howard Berman have donated over $100,000 to the younger Blumenfield's campaign and claim there is no coordination. Though many wonder how an IEC run by the father and employer of a candidate could truly be considered independent.

More alleged evidence of coordination between the IEC and the Blumenfield campaign surfaced Monday as Blumenfield's parents were reportedly walking precincts for the campaign in an area surrounding the Blumenfield campaign office. A voter in the area received a personally signed campaign brochure from Blumenfield's parents, a scan is below:

FLASH: Daily News Endorses Waldman, Pavley

Though he has to sit first through a verbal spanking from the MOLDY GREENSHEET OF RECORD, 40th Assembly District Candidate Stuart Waldman garners the endorsement of the Daily News, a significant victory for the former Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and current seat holder Lloyd Levine.

Though the News is disgusted by the spat between Waldman and chief opponent Bob Blumenfield over Blumenfield's questionable campaign financing, they gave the nod to Waldman based on his past experience and their hope once in office he'll put all this behind him. The paper also stated that fellow candidates Laurette Healey and Dan McCrory "just aren't viable candidates."

In a related story, the Daily News endorsed Levine's opponent for the Democratic nomination for the 23rd State Senate District, Fran Pavley. The News compared Levine to Blumenfield saying the Assemblyman's "tenure has been more about serving himself than the Valley."

Voters in both races go to the polls June 3rd.

Mayor Sam Scoops The LA Times; More Charges Against Blumenfield

More of the news before it happens here on the blog. We reported last week about Fair Political Practices Charges filed against 40th Assembly District candidate Bob Blumenfield by the campaign of fellow AD40 candidate Stuart Waldman. The Waldman complaint alleges illegal laundering of campaign funds by Blumenfield's father, political consultant Michael Blumenfield and the younger Blumenfield's employer, Congressman Howard Berman. Blumenfield, Sr. and Berman are accused of funneling additional campaign funds to an independent expenditure committee (IEC) that is campaigning on the candidate's behalf. Under the law individuals can contribute larger amounts to these committees than they can to individual candidates provided there is no coordination between the independent committee and the candidate. Typically these committees are formed by unions, political groups and other special interests who favor a given candidate and want to ensure their election. It is not at all common for these committees to be formed by family members and/or employers in that it's difficult to maintain the wall of separation necessary to deflect charges of coordination.

A few days after our story the LA Times picked up on the thorny issue of the Blumenfield independent expenditure committee. The article mentions "Observers say they've rarely seen a candidate's family run a campaign outside the control of the candidate, although in 2001, five brothers and other relatives and friends financed a $10,000 radio ad campaign on behalf of Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge."

The latest twist in the AD40 saga includes yet another complaint filed with the FPPC against Blumenfield. According to the Waldman campaign, a television commercial (below) released by the elder Blumenfield's IEC that features video allegedly shot by the campaign.