Will Rogers
In the contest for the democratic slot to chase our state Senate seat,
I was astonished by the extent of the defeat 43rd District Assemblyman
Scott Wildman suffered at the hands of 44th District Assemblyman Jack
Scott.
Scott promoted insider perceptions that, compared to him, Wildman has
been ineffective in Sacramento. But against Wildman's renown for
constituent services, and a level of accessibility even few municipal
officials can match, I didn't think the flaw would resonate with voters.
I was wrong, to the tune of more than 6,500 votes and 4 percentage
points.
AND THE WINNER IS...
The silliest literature to hit mailboxes this election cycle came from
Paul Krekorian, a democrat who lost his run for the 43rd Assembly
District seat. Yes, Krekorian was hit by last-minute sludge from the
campaign of fellow democrat Dario Frommer, who ultimately won. Frommer's
mailer alleged Krekorian was a carpetbagger. Not only was it a rich case
of the pot calling a kettle black, Frommer went months never addressing
what his piece implied was critical issue.
Because Krekorian was perceived as Frommer's main challenger, and
given Frommer's years of work in the bowels of party politics,
Krekorian's camp expected a late hit from Frommer. That's why, weeks ago,
they prepared a generic mailer to send in response. If Frommer refrained
from a last-minute smear, Krekorian would recycle the literature, and eat
the expense. But once Frommer's caustic piece hit, Krekorian "released
the hounds." But the dogs were toothless.
Krekorian's mailer was in a comic-book style, with unique art
portraying Frommer as the "Little Sacramento Lobbyist" lobbing mud at
Krekorian. It was funny, and I liked the "special interests" and "power
brokers" caricatured as wolves and jackals carrying bags of cash. But
since it was meant to answer any attack, the mailer had no meat. The
wordy piece didn't refute Frommer's smear, and didn't substantiate one
against him. It was more artful than Krekorian sticking out his tongue at
Frommer, but less effective.
GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND
Frommer will now run against republican Craig Missakian, and guess
what will be an issue used against Frommer? Residency. I doubt the goofy,
"He commuted from Sacramento to Glendale every weekend for 15 years" will
pacify anyone beyond partisan zombies. Frommer could show a bit of
belated courage. "I have status in Sacramento and the contacts to get
things done for this district," could have been Frommer's take before the
primary.
