Posted on 10/20/2006 7:41:40 AM PDT by calcowgirl
Condemnation of an intimidating mailer from congressional candidate Tan Nguyen's campaign swelled Thursday, as state investigators continued interviews in the county and the U.S. Justice Department joined the probe.
State Attorney General Bill Lockyer told Nguyen's opponent, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, that details should become clearer in the next few days and that his office "would be making arrests," Sanchez said.
Nguyen, a Republican, said Thursday that a campaign worker helped put out the letter without his knowledge and that she had been fired. He called the letter, which targeted immigrant voters, "flawed and ill-conceived."
But Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh didn't believe Nguyen's denial and continued to call for him to bow out of the race.
"I've learned that Mr. Nguyen was involved in expediting that mailer," Baugh said. "I've had conversations with the attorney general and folks involved with the mail house. He called the mail house himself and told them to expedite the mailing."
Nguyen, who said Thursday morning that he was scheduled to meet with investigators later in the day, did not return subsequent calls seeking response to Baugh. Lockyer's office declined to discuss further specifics of the case Thursday.
"If it is determined that this letter was directed to prevent a certain population from voting, then potentially there could have been a criminal act and there could be criminal charges," said Cynthia Magnuson of the U.S. Justice Department.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the letter "a despicable act of political intimidation." Sen. Barbara Boxer called it "outrageous and reprehensible." Assemblyman Van Tran, R-Westminster, also condemned it.
Nguyen said he would hold a news conference today to discuss whether he will remain in the race. If he pulls out, his name would remain on the ballot.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
(snip)
Following is a translation of a letter written in Spanish by the campaign office of Tan Nguyen, a Republican congressional candidate in central Orange County, and mailed to an estimated 14,000 registered voters.
Greetings …Original Letter - in Spanish (PDF-500KB)You are being sent this letter because you were recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, we ask that you participate in the democratic process of voting.
You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time and you will be deported for voting without having a right to do so.
At the same time, you are advised that the government of the United States is installing a new computer system to verify the names of all new registered voters that vote in the October and November elections. Anti-immigration organizations can ask for information from this new computer system.
Unlike Mexico, here, there is no incentive to vote. There is not a voter registration card in the United States. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States.
Do not listen to any politician that tells you the opposite. They are only looking out for their own interest. They only want to win elections without any regard to what happens to you.
Sincerely,
Sergio Ramirez
Don't you remember the arrests, etc.
/s/
So...what is wrong with that letter??
It's the truth. So what's the problem?
I'm glad he did it... The illegals should be stopped from voting... Arnold is joke for calling this a hate crime.. When did upholding the law become a hate crime...
A perfect example of why some people are alive only because it is illegal to kill them.
Can't we get this guy booted? Maybe give him a one way plane ticket to France?
Barbie Boxer got her panties in a wad, so I have to support this guy.....
Tan Nguyen Should Withdraw From The Race
It appears that Tan Nguyen, the Republican nominee in the 47th Congressional District, and/or his campaign is responsible for the shameful letter sent to Latino voters in the 47th Congressional District saying that immigrants cannot vote. There can be no excuse for this action, it is reprehensible and stupid. He still has the opportunity to act honorably by withdrawing from the race and apologizing to each and every voter whom he attempted to deter from exercising his or her right to vote. If the law has been violated, the offenders should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.
UPDATE [from Jubal at 4:33 p.m.]: Here's a press release the OC GOP sent out today:
Orange, CA – The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Orange County including Hon. Scott Baugh, Chairman, unanimously voted today to request Tan Nguyen to withdraw from his race for the 47th Congressional District.“We have learned that Tan Nguyen’s campaign was not only responsible for the reprehensible efforts to intimidate voters, but that Mr. Nguyen himself was personally involved in attempting to expedite the letter in question,” explained Chairman Scott Baugh.
“Such behavior is degrading and inexcusable,” said Chairman Baugh. “If the law has been violated, the offenders should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and brought to justice,” Baugh explained.
“The Republican Party of Orange County is the Party of the ‘Open Door.’ We are deeply saddened and disturbed that a Republican nominee’s campaign would engage in such obnoxious behavior,” said Chairman Scott Baugh.
Chairman Baugh and the Republican Party of Orange County have repeatedly requested an explanation from Tan Nguyen. No response to telephone calls or emails has been forthcoming. The Republican Party of Orange County therefore requests that Tan Nguyen withdraw from the race.
“The Republican Party of Orange County will not tolerate any voter intimidation,” said Chairman Baugh.
Posted by Scott Baugh on October 19, 2006 at 06:53 AM
At least 3 things:
1. Immigrants who are naturalized citizens can vote (ironically, Nguyen fits the category)I'd like to see more facts about whether Nguyen had anything to do with this; others are apparently ready to burn him at the stake.
2. There is no such voter database
3. There are federal and state laws against "voter intimidation".
these wankers need to shut their cakeholes. loretta sanchez - isn't she the one who unseated bob dornan in 1996 with less than 1,000 votes....by way of trucking in a few thousand illegals to vote for her? and then in 2000 planned on a fundraiser at The Playboy Mansion????? i've always heard that orange county is a bastion of "anglo" conservatism (despite the crap you see about OC wives on reality tv) and so it boggles my mind that they could twice elect a left-wing, hispanic woman.
because 2 yrs ago he ran as a RAT
"i've always heard that orange county is a bastion of "anglo" conservatism (despite the crap you see about OC wives on reality tv) and so it boggles my mind that they could twice elect a left-wing, hispanic woman."
except that Santa Ana and the district is LOADED with illegals(exactly how Bob Dornan lost the election; voter fraud...among other reasons)
You don't even have to show ID to vote in CA.
But you do have to show ID to rent a video.LOL
I see - I didn't see the "or you are an immigrant" part; only the "if you are...illegally". Thanks.
So...what is wrong with that letter??
Looks like it is simply missing one word. The word "illegal" should have been used before immigrant. Some immigrants are citizens. Most would understand the intent but in today's politics naturally it's an outrage to many and the end of the world. I would hope that those qualified to vote would know their voting rights. If they don't they probably shouldn't be voting in my view.
I rarely see you miss on these. But ...
Immigrants become citizens when they are naturalized. They are either immigrants (legal or illegal) or they are citizens but they can't be both.
Citizens can vote. Since 1920, immigrants can't vote.
This statement is correct.
Nguyen, as an immigrant, couldn't vote legally. Immigrants haven't been legally able to vote in federal elections in almost 100 years. Once an immigrant becomes a citizen, he is no longer an immigrant, and can vote legally.
In 1996, Congress enacted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, making it a federal crime for non-citizens to vote in any federal election (or state election, unless authorized by state law). As a penalty, ineligible non-citizens who knowingly vote may be deported. Additionally, a non-citizen who falsely claims to be a United States citizen is in violation of this law.
I agree, technically. But these days, you hear almost every politician saying "I am an immigrant..."
Common usage (and hot air) appears to have taken on a broader meaning.
Thanks for that reasoned post... I was waiting for someone who could see the difference.
L. Sanchez won her seat by illegal immigrant votes.... and no one was prosecuted!
Whatever happened to being outraged by the way they are stealing the vote from legal citizens?
The double standard or lack of is disgusting.
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