Posted on 06/18/2003 12:48:32 PM PDT by Jonez712
Many in California are just getting to know the potential candidates for Governor, especially those who were not involved in the 2002 effort to defeat Gray Davis.
On Saturday, Congressman Darrell Issa spoke at the Brooks Firestone Annual Event. Here is what he told them, though he did not repeat these comments at the Orange County Republican Party Flag Day Dinner that evening.
He urged Republicans to hold a convention to pick a single candidate to be an alternative to Davis, saying that any GOP contender who hopes to be governor "cannot be a candidate that has a social agenda." http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/06/15/MN9218.DTL
San Diego County congressman told 300 mostly moderate party activists gathered for breakfast at an annual retreat to the wine country north of Santa Barbara. "We are not going to dramatically move this state to the right. That's impossible, and it would be imprudent." http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/6858865p-7808821c.html
"Getting rid of a thoroughly dangerous man who is destroying our state is what the recall is all about," said Issa, who compared himself to the idealistic teenager he was when he joined the military.
"In many ways I'm like that 17-year-old who wanted to go to the Army to save the world," he said. "I may not be the most equipped, but I'm the most motivated." http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/6093561.htm
Other excerpts from Darrell Issa's remarks to the Firestone Republican weekend group:
On working with the legislature - "The next governor is going to have to be moderate."
To a small group of reporters after his speech in Solvang, Issa said he would support a tax increase if it was approved by the people.
Issa reminded the moderate group that he endorsed former Mayor Richard Riordan.
The Los Angeles Times, June 16, 2003 also had other policy positions of Issa http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-issa16jun16,1,5987018.story?coll=la-news-politics-california
"His votes against gun control earned him an "A" rating last year from the National Rifle Assn. but Issa vowed Saturday to support renewal of the federal assault-weapons ban this year. "If we were to undo it, it would simply make it more of a failure," he said.
On Proposition 187, the ballot measure to deny public services to immigrants, Issa staked out a clear position during his unsuccessful 1998 campaign for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination: He backed it despite qualms about a provision barring children of illegal immigrants from public schools. But Saturday, Issa said he had voted against Proposition 187. "I spoke on both sides of that all along," he explained.
Issa also backpedaled from his call in the Senate race to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. "Getting rid of the National Endowment for the Arts is a red-meat statement that one makes in a primary," he said.
Snip--"On the drive to Orange County, he said California could survive the fiscal crisis without raising taxes. But he also said he would support tax hikes if voters approve them. Issa described the Davis recall as a "tax revolt," but called nonetheless for higher taxes to build more freeways; the state's gas tax would be indexed to rise at the rate of inflation to ensure highway spending does not decline."
(Note: I served as Deputy Political Director for Bill Simon)
Republicans have worked hard to gain back our campuses, city halls and legislature. We also need to take back professional associations that claim widespread membership but exhibit narrow focused ultra liberal views. One such association is the State Bar Association of California. This liberal group, whose charter is to administer attorneys, has become a major factor in lobbying for liberal causes from abortion to guns to judges who have apparently never read the Constitution.
A solid, moderate candidate has declared for the Bar Board of Governors, Sheldon Sloan of the Los Angeles area. Shelly has been involved in local, state and national public policy, always willing to help candidates with advice, support and fund raising capabilities. A long time attorney, he understands the role of the Bar, and will represent all members, not just the progressives. With over 100,000 readers of this newsletter, I am sure I have a good share of attorneys. I strongly urge the members of the State Bar to vote for Sheldon Sloan.
The charge that Darrell Issa, whose family is of Lebanese Christian origin, has made statements "praising" Hezbollah has been around for a couple of years, since it was first given currency by a columnist for NewsMax, who back in 2001 dubbed Issa "Jihad Darrell."
Issa denies these charges, to which he replied in an interview with another WorldNetDaily writer, Geoff Metcalf. (Metcalf appears to believe that the columnist who originally made the charge got her information from Iranian propaganda sources -- which distorted what Issa actually said for their own purposes -- and didn't bother checking her sources.)
I have no axe to grind on this, since at this time I really have no opinion at this time on whether Issa would or would not make a good governor. I would have to look at his background and record more fully before deciding that. But on this issue, as fellow Republicans, I think we should consider carefully before accepting charges that he is an apologist for "Wahabism," Hezbollah, or any other Islamic cause or organization.
This interview is at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=25690
I thought Issa was supposed to be a moderate-conservative candidate with lots of money and ability to win in the Davis Recall election. I understand politicians will flip-flop on issues and break pledges, but does he have any principles? Unless he refutes these positions/claims, it doesn't look like he shares my values.
Issa described the Davis recall as a "tax revolt," but called nonetheless for higher taxes to build more freeways; the state's gas tax would be indexed to rise at the rate of inflation
I don't see how he would be better than Davis, Feinstein, Bustamante, Schwarzenegger, or Simon in fixing the budget. Will Issa lower or raise taxes and spending? Does he have any concrete plans to reduce spending? So far, I've heard accurate projections from Tom McClintock only.
I think the illegal problem should be a major criteria for supporting any candidate here, and the rest of the border states. I also think that another proposition should be put on the ballot, but passing it is one thing, and implementing it is another.
Time to flush Sacramento from the head down to its toes of all the political manure passed off as social engineering but is nothing more then vote buying and pandering to unions and other special interests.
I'd like to see Tom have a shot at the job. Thanks
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