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Monday, April 03, 2006

Alger Campaign Moves to Santa Clarita

The CD12 dum dums will no doubt of course say the Alger campaing only exists in the Sister City. Indeed, perhaps flacks for other Assembly campaigns or council offices will even post further comments detailing sexual relations between Mr. Alger and myself. Say what you like, but nothing could be further from the truth. Both Mr. Alger and this old, dead Republican mayor are involved in heterosexual relationships with a woman (no, not the same woman idiots). And before there is any further AD38 (or other ADs) or CD12 titillation, were Mayor Sam to go the Brokeback route, it certainly wouldn't be with Alger (and I am sure he feels the same way).

Now to the issue at hand, 38th Democratic Assembly candidate Jim Alger took his campaign to Santa Clarita, which covers a significant portion of the district. Santa Clarita Valley is of course the home of Alger's likely Republican opponent, former Mayor Cameron Smythe. Conventional wisdom is that a Democrat can't win in the majority Republican bedroom community, but Alger seems to always defy the conventional wisdom.

Indeed, Alger's Democratic opponent - Lyn Shaw-Hilfenhaus - a dyed in the wool union red diaper baby liberal - has zero chance to win against any Republican in the race. Lyn's forces know this, as their intention is not to win the race, but to play along with a Republican-Democratic deal to keep certain seats in the hands of certain parties. Shaw-Hilfenhaus as nominee gives Smythe a free ride to the State Assembly, and in return, she gets several seats on Democratic Central Committees, to which she can appoint pro-unionistas to move the Democratic party even further to the left (if that is possible).

Of course, my own party, the Republicans play similar games, not developing and running competitive candidates in races where they could win, instead they run either goofballs or candidates just to the right of Attila the Hun. In LA County, the Republican leadership treats the party as its personal route to treasure. We all know about the husband of the County party's chairwoman took money to shill for Democrat Jim Hahn for Mayor, rather than working to find a reasonable Republican alternative (sorry Walter, that wouldn't be you).

Getting back to Alger, he represents an opportunity for moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans who care mainly about the economy, education and personal liberties to make a stand. The Alger campaign's contention is that while Shaw-Hilfenhaus is too liberal for the District, Smythe is too conservative for the District. And, they may very well be right. Santa Clarita's denizens may be mainly Republican, but they're not hard core red staters. They believe in law & order, lower taxes, less government and a certain quality of life. Liberals they are not, but they haven't drunk the hard core Republican Kool-Aid. At the same time, as the population in Santa Clarita grows, so does the Democratic registration.

All this adds up to the proposition that Mr. Alger may have chosen the right time to run for this seat.

In other Alger related news, Team Alger reports that they succesfully blocked the party from issuing an endorsement in the primary for the 38th AD. Alger knew, as an outsider, he was not likely to receive the party endorsement himself, all signs pointed to the endorsement being gained by his primary opponent, Lyn Shaw-Hilfenhaus. Alger received enough votes to prevent the endorsement from being voted on at the State Party Convention later this spring.

Alger also announced that he has received the endorsement of Jodell Haws, President of the Simi Valley Democratic Club, and a Regional Director for the National Organization of Women.

45 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said:

That is a good pic there Sam, Right off the Front Page of the Sunday Santa Clarita Signal.

Alger is clearly running a very strong campaign. He and Lyn Shaw had a group hug moment at the state party endorsement meeting where they both called for an end to the negativity (although most of the attacks I have seen have been against Alger). Lyn asked her supporters to stop the attacks which was a very stand up thing to do.

Then again I don't think attacking Alger really works. It seems to only make him stronger, just ask the CD 12 office dum dums.

In either event, Jim graced the front page of the Signal for a campaign event he held 2 blocks from Cameron Smyth's house. The room erupted in laughter when he told thim where he held the event.

I couldn't vote in the 38th race because I live in the 42nd but if I could have I would have. This guy is proving to be a hell of an actual candidate. No wonder the Signal had him on the front page... a Democrat showing signs of life in Santa Clarita is breaking news!

April 03, 2006 1:01 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Could you please spell my name right?

April 03, 2006 1:11 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

It does look like the Democrats are going to run a strong candidate against Mr. Smyth but if Jim wants to actually compete with the Republicans he is going to have to get some more cash in. All the Dems together haven't raised more than 40K and that just isn't going to cut it.

I am with you about one thing Sammy, the Democratic Party isn't even trying to win this race and we shouldn't let that happen on either side.

Alger is fighting the forces of the Democratic Party just to win the primary, which it sure does look like he will do much to the chagrin of the CD12 crew. But assuming he gets through the primary, he will need their help and the help of Hilfenhaus to put the machine together for Smyth because if he begins to threaten Smyth they're going to put up one hell of a fight.

If I had to guess, Englander and company will try and take him out sometime during that race. There is no way Smith can afford Alger even remotely showing good because if he gets over 35-40% but doesn't win, Smith's CD12 seat could be in trouble. If Alger pulls off the upset, Englander can kiss his Councilman dreams in 4 years bye bye.

April 03, 2006 2:19 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Mayor Sam,
The reason why Walter Moore became bitter and disappointed with the L.A. County GOP is that he didn't get the GOP endorsement. And the reason why he didn’t get the endorsement is that he wasn't Doug and Linda Boyd's boy. They didn’t know him and he didn't offer a nice $30,000 campaign consulting job to Doug like Mayor Hahn did.

Linda, the L.A. GOP Chairwoman, makes $5,000 a month as fundraising director. She isn’t really raising the money because she’s too busy raising her newborn (she’s 51!). Her husband, as Cal GOP Treasurer, has made sure that the state party continues its financial support to prop up the L.A. GOP. Talk about the nanny state!

April 03, 2006 7:03 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Mayor you don't have to validate your relationship with Alger. Anyone who has brains knows that Alger is one of the most active community members and truly cares about the issues. You can bet he will organize to go against the DWP hike and be successful like 2 years ago. To those who behave immaturely and post dumb juvenile comments GROW UP

April 03, 2006 8:16 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Most of the attacks from Alger one would suspect are not so much coming from either the Lyn or Smyth teams (though for sure some probably are) but people who support Lyn and Smyth for reasons that directly benefit themselves.

April 03, 2006 8:24 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Jim Alger: Thanks Mayor for the write up Monday morning.

Mayor Sam: It's the least I can do after all you've done for me, and to me.

MS: You tasted different on Sunday in S.C., what did you drink with your lunch?

JA: Let's go flying.

April 03, 2006 9:19 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

"reasonable republican alternative"? That's the ultimate contradiction in terms, even worse than "jumbo shrimp". Good luck in the midterm, fellas! You may have steal the election again, otherwise you're s-o-l.

April 03, 2006 9:36 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

who writes the gay sex scenes: mitchell or smyth?

April 03, 2006 9:55 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

If Alger is getting the NOW endorsement doesn't say much for Lynne/

April 03, 2006 10:21 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

At this point Alger could run for CD12 and beat Greig.

April 03, 2006 10:25 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

10:21am anon - Jim isn't getting the NOW endorsement, don't think they would ever endorse a man over a woman but he got the regional director's endorsement which is still a major coup.

People that hear Jim like him. As was state on a previous post, while Shaw may have the "institutional endorsements" most were given by people who never met Jim so there was nothing to compare her to, just a favor paid back.

You are right, it doesn't say much for Lyn. What says less is that Jim is the new kid on the block compared to her and shouldn't have gotten any traction at all.

Thanks to the CD12 crew and 3 opponents who don't campaign at all he has been launched into the front-runner seat and will be a player in the party whether he wins or not.

April 03, 2006 11:00 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Mayor Sam-- it sure seems to me that your posting was actually written by Jim Alger. he has a very distinctive style-- you can recognize it in many of the "anonymous" comments that appear every time you post something about this guy.

April 03, 2006 11:19 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

it sure seems like those alger bashing is written by those guys in cd12 and ad40

April 03, 2006 11:30 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I can see CD12 maybe but why AD40? Levine? Makes no sense. I doubt he's tied into Smith.

April 03, 2006 11:47 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

11:47 anon, Stuart Waldman hates Alger

April 03, 2006 12:06 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

11:47 they were referring to fatass Backstabbing Stew who talks shit about Alger behind his back and then acts like he is his friend to his face. Although I doubt Alger gives a rats petunia about old Stewy. Waldman should probably know that Alger has more friends than he thinks and virtually everything that happens gets back to him.

Given where Alger is headed, and Waldman's ambitions, Stewy should probably begin exercising the art of shutting the fuck up.

April 03, 2006 12:13 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

what is the anti-Alger team's obsession with gay sex?

April 03, 2006 1:27 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

OK, how many times do i have to tell you idiots. I don't live in L.A. anymore but the scenario of JA and MS together is hilarious.

I only started doing it because MS is not only JA's cheerleader, he's freakin' maniacal about him. I figured that since MS was already jocking JA's dick, i might was well write about it. It's just for fun and it's rather funny for those of you with a sense of humor.

Please don't read too much into it. I don't know either man and i'm sure they are both in heterosexual relationships. I just think it's funny.

I repeat, MS and JA are not, to my knowledge, gay, having an affair, or otherwise physically engaging in fellatious, or sodomistic behavior. Nor are they romantically involved.

IT IS A FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION. Now get over it.

And no, MS or JA did not pay me to write that. I just think it's fair to put that out there.

April 03, 2006 2:04 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

its because these guys are overgrown frat boys and they love to talk about cocksucking

April 03, 2006 2:13 PM  

Blogger Mayor Sam said:

No dumbshits, Alger didn't write that, nor did any of his staff. That's pure vintage Mayor Sam pablum, you porridge puking moron.

Once in a while, Jim Alger drops me an email or calls me to tell me I got something wrong, or I am wrong. Like I believe Home Depot or Wal-Mart should be able to build stores pretty much wherever they damn well please. He thinks I am very wrong there.

Now, go play on the freeway!

April 03, 2006 3:06 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I don't believe that there is anyone left who doesn't believe Alger has the primary locked up. My question is what is he going to do about the general? Are his soon to be former opponents going to help him win in November?

Once Cindy is finished spanking Alex, the 38th will be the local race to watch.

April 03, 2006 4:21 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I don't know if Jim Alger will win the primary but he has a good shot.

Should he win the primary, if the party doesn't support him as nominee (with money), they should be sued for criminal neglect.

April 03, 2006 4:27 PM  

Blogger Matt said:

I know that I cross the Chief of Staff at my peril, but I'm on staff (the SCV field manager), and I wrote this last night and it didn't go through (due to a flaky network connection.)

+ + + + + + + + +

I'm not a big believer in "too liberal" or "too conservative" (and I've heard Jim called both) - a candidate who puts the time, energy, and campaign resources into advocating the party's ideals is going to be a net win, whether it comes to a close victory or a close loss in the end.

For example, the day after Kerry lost in 2004, Dems basically had nothing to show for our money and effort, because his candidacy was about his biography and his "electability:" Kerry didn't really advocate for any new ideas, and he didn't move the terms of the debate one inch from where Bush and his band of radicals set it. On November 3rd, we may as well have run Dennis Kucinich, for all the good the "moderate" did us. It's about who wants to work to change minds, advocate for our values, and put up a fight wherever Dems aren't expected to win.

I'm convinced from seeing Jim in action that he and his campaign haven't been worn down by the conventional wisdom that it's not worth it for a Democrat to run in the 38th. And, the SCV "kickoff," despite getting the A1 treatment, was really at least the eighth time the campaign has come up to support candidates, clubs, fundraisers, and get-out-the-vote activities in Santa Clarita.

All of the candidates in our field could run a campaign that further Democratic values among the voters up here, and if Sid, Lyn, or Jane wind up with the nom, each would be worth getting behind in the fall. For my money, though, Alger has been the most willing to put the work into challenging the one-party control in the district, and Dems in the district have the most to gain - win or lose - with him as the nominee.

April 03, 2006 5:36 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Alger got 7 votes at the endorsing meeting.Lyn got seven votes. Alger got one donation only in the last reporting period.
It was for $200. Lyn raised a lot more by a factor of 50x. Not including the $2k from California Professional Fire Fighters in services, $3.3K from Dario Frommer with more arriving daily.

April 03, 2006 6:56 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/committee/c7/asmfinal/AD38.HTM

REGISTERED VOTERS
COUNT PCT%

TOTAL 226,252

DEMOCRAT 81,525 36.03%

REPUBLICAN 103,530 45.76%

DTS 30,651 13.55%

April 03, 2006 7:17 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Looks like Lyn nor the poor little retarded dude Algae have a chance. Where do you guys work that you have sooo much time to blog about this retard that has no chance. I get on this site once a week to laugh at all you idiots arguing about a race and a retarded candidate that has no chance. And...are you hiring?

April 03, 2006 7:19 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

anon 6:56 7 votes??? 4 came from her own family so not sure that counts one bit. She still couldnt get the endorsement.

April 03, 2006 10:11 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Let's be clear. I do not hate Jim Alger. I support Lyn Shaw. I have not said anything untrue about Alger. I have never backstabbed anyone.

April 03, 2006 11:46 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Just curious Stuart, considering you don't live in the district (as most Lyn supporters don't) exactly why do you support Lyn?

What policies does she hold that make her more electable then Alger, or anyone else for that matter?

Or is it all a down payment on her support of your candidacy?

April 04, 2006 4:19 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Hey #'s guy... I usually wouldn't respond to your derogatory comments but your numbers are worth commenting on.

the 38th was deemed "safe Republican"

with the spread down to 9 points that puts it into the "leaning republican" category.

Now add in the 13% Decline to states (which in the 38th break 2-1 for the Democrats) and you have a horse-race. Add all that to a candidate who is far to the right of the district and it is completely doable.

April 04, 2006 4:25 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Michael O'Connell, Chief of Staff to Jim Alger - Candidate,
I find it amazing that you and your campaign claim that you never make anonymous posts to this blog. Yet, at 3:57am today you emailed me a deragatory note and then at 4:19am anonymously responded to my comment. Coincidence? I think not. Man up next time.

Stuart Waldman

April 04, 2006 7:36 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Stuart finally comes out of the closet and owns up to his collusion with Mitch the Bitch. Fun reading for all of us here in CD2.

What council member is gearing up to run against Stuart in 08? Hmmmm....

April 04, 2006 11:25 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

most of Stuart's personal and political problems could be solved if he to keep his mouth closed a little more often

April 04, 2006 11:26 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Besides Mr. Alger and his wife, who are both members of the Northridge West Neighborhood Council, only 4 of the remaining 11 board members are listed as supporters of his campaign.

My guess is that most of these folks do not think he is ready for prime time.

Voters beware Alger can not even get the support of most his own Neighborhood Council.

April 04, 2006 12:19 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Actually Jim has the support of the ENTIRE board minus 1 so once again, facts are mis-stated.

Lyn couldn't even get the party people who know her to support her at the state party endorsement conference so this shot fires both ways.

Actually it is worse. She has been involved with the party 13 years. 4 out of her 7 votes came from her and family members.

ALL 7 of Jims votes were people who didn't know him a year ago as he is not a party operative.

Might want to recalibrate your cannons over there at Team Hilfenhaus.

April 04, 2006 12:50 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Mayor Sam,

Does Lloyd Levine know that you have Stewart blogging over here?

April 04, 2006 1:57 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

damn! this is one of the most exciting threads I have read in a long time. I love when people actually get on here and blog as themselves... great stuff.

April 04, 2006 2:03 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Please spell my name right

April 04, 2006 2:27 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Talk about a recalibration...

NWNC Has 13 Board members, not 15.

12 out of the 13 have endorsed him.

April 04, 2006 3:26 PM  

Blogger Matt said:

Yeah, even "#s guy" is better than anonymous. If y'all are going to fling poop around, at least help the rest of us figure out who's who.

April 04, 2006 6:00 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

What I have noticed is that all mud slinging aside, noone has yet given a single reason why Lyn is a better candidate.

April 04, 2006 6:11 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I will support the candidate that supports my right to wear american flag chonies!

April 04, 2006 7:51 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

6:11 pm that is because there isn't one.

She is just hoping the attacks on Alger work, while she quietly says they won't attack.

Typical shit.

April 05, 2006 1:03 AM  

Blogger Matt said:

One positive for Lyn would be to strengthen the bond between the Democrats and organized labor...

Though Jim and the Laborers are part of Change to Win...

And CtW theoretically represents labor getting out of politics to refocus on organizing more workers.

So I don't really know how that works - maybe you'd support Lyn to get labor *out* of Democratic politics? A triumphant withdrawl? Or is it just plus ce change, plus ce meme chose?

? ? ?

Anyway, no digs on CtW, I'm a big Andy Stern fan. But the Laborers / CtW paradox is an enduring mystery for me in this race.

April 05, 2006 1:36 AM  

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