The Tenenbaum Team has sent out a press release that accusses Team Elton of negative attacks, intimidation, threats, and tearing down their signs. They even mention specific members of Gallegly's staff.
Why won't local papers cover this race?
Click on continue reading for the whole press release.
UPDATED: Two new press releases. One on Tenenbaum speaking at a local high school and one on Tenenbaum and his FEC report about him outraising Gallegly in the last 90 days. ( But Gallegly still has a pile o' cash bigger than Tom Delay's ego)
Here is the 1st press release, word for word.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2006
CONTACT: Jim Prosser, Jr.
GALLEGLY’S SUPPORTERS RESORT TO VANDALISM, THREATS
Running Scared, Reclusive Incumbent Hides Out While Campaign Attempts to Silence Tenenbaum
THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Clearly afraid of the primary challenge from candidate Michael Tenenbaum, Elton Gallegly has been making himself scarce in the district while his supporters are resorting to lawbreaking and threats against Tenenbaum and campaign staffers.
At a Tenenbaum-sponsored family picnic in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, an unidentified photographer from the Gallegly campaign crashed the event to capture photos of Tenenbaum and his guests. When approached by Tenenbaum’s press secretary, Jim Prosser Jr., about his conspicuous behavior, the man refused to give his name and rattled off a stream of obscenities and threats against both him and Tenenbaum.
“You’ll never work in Republican politics again, you little sh*t,� the man in the yellow shirt swore as he fled before police could be alerted.
This was not the first time that Tenenbaum has received threats from Gallegly’s campaign. On March 8, within hours after he took out papers to challenge the 20-year-incumbent, Tenenbaum received a voicemail from Clark Johnson, husband of Gallegly campaign manager Shelly Johnson, promising, “You’re gonna have enemies that you don’t want.�
Gallegly’s supporters have also been actively engaged in tearing down Tenenbaum campaign signs around the district. On March 15, Tenenbaum was alerted by a volunteer that 23 of his signs in Simi Valley had been removed and placed face down on the ground. The campaign quickly mobilized a team of volunteers to upright the signs.
More egregiously, all but three of the 36 signs placed by the Tenenbaum campaign in Moorpark have disappeared. The campaign is in the process of putting up new signs.
In one of the stranger cases, a sheriff’s deputy reported that a Tenenbaum campaign sign, taken from Simi Valley, had been stuck on someone’s private property in Fillmore, despite the fact that no campaign volunteers or staffers have gone to Fillmore to place signs, as the city does not allow them in the public right of way. Gallegly campaign manager Johnson resides in Fillmore.
Removing or defacing a temporary political sign is a misdemeanor offense.
“We each took an oath to run our campaigns publicly, on the issues that voters care about — like immigration and federal spending — and yet my opponent’s supporters are more interested in sign games and intimidation,� Tenenbaum said.
Gallegly continues to refuse to appear alongside Tenenbaum in a public debate about the issues.
“It’s a shame my opponent thinks he can win an election by trying to silence me instead of by articulating how he plans to solve this nation’s challenges when everyone knows he’s in retirement mode,� Tenenbaum said.
Tenenbaum, a 37-year-old businessman, attorney, and law professor from Thousand Oaks, will face Gallegly in the primary election on June 6th.
###
--
Jim Prosser Jr.
Press Secretary
Michael Tenenbaum for Congress
2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Box 301
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
jim@GoTenenbaum.com
Next Press release:
TENENBAUM SET TO REPORT SUBSTANTIAL FUNDRAISING TO FEC
Sum More Than Double that of Opponent’s Contributions from Last Period
THOUSAND OAKS, CA – In a pre-primary report to be filed with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday, Michael Tenenbaum, Republican candidate for Congress in California’s 24th District, will show total receipts in excess of $150,000.
“Voters care far less about how much campaign funds candidates raise than they do about how the people they vote for will spend their tax dollars,� Tenenbaum said, “and I will vote to stop the waste that Congress and my opponent are engaged in today. I am gratified for the support I continue to receive to deliver my message of fiscal restraint, secure borders, and limited government.�
Tenenbaum’s receipts amount to double the contributions received by his opponent in the race, Elton Gallegly, in the last reporting period.
Tenenbaum raised the sum in the two months following the announcement of his candidacy on March 10th. The filing period closed on May 17th.
Tenenbaum, a 37-year-old businessman, attorney, and law professor from Thousand Oaks, will face Gallegly in the primary election on June 6th.
And lastly,
WHAT:
Talk to Thousand Oaks High School government students about elections and civic participation
WHO:
Michael Tenenbaum, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress (CA – 24th)
WHEN:
Tuesday, May 23 at 11:00 am
WHERE:
Performing Arts Center at Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
WHY:
An alum of Thousand Oaks High School and valedictorian of the Class of 1987, Michael will be speaking to all government classes at the school about civic participation, the process of running for office, and the importance of voting.
CONTACT:
Jim Prosser Jr, Press Secretary,
The Star only provides cover for incumbents. Especially St. Elton and Queen Judy. Sign stealing seems to be the choice of campaigning by both of their campaigns...pathetic. We desparately need another newspaper. The Acorn does a much better job of covering local news.
I really doubt that Tenenbaum represents any kind of serious threat to Gallegly in the upcoming election. Certainly not enough of a threat for anybody on the Gallegly campaign to even bother worrying about him, much less actively tearing down signs, photographing, and threatening him. It doesn't make any sense for Gallegly or any of his supporters to be involved in any of this since it would only risk unnecessary negative publiciy.
Note that the alleged photographer was "unidentified", "refused to give his name" and "fled before police could be alerted". But the Tenenbaum campaign asserts that this mystery photographer most certainly worked for Gallegly. Then you have claims that campaign signs are being pulled up and transplanted from Simi to Fillmore. Those type of bizzare claims make me wonder whether these incidents even took place at all. Given the chicken suit incident the Tenenbaum campaign seems to be run like something straight out of a Doonesbury comic strip.
Are these claims real or just a desperate attempt at publicity? You decide.
******************************************
WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
******************************************
There are individuals in this blog that don’t like what I have to say, so they are now resorting to making fake posts using my name in order to discredit me. This is an underhanded, sleazy tactic that needs to be exposed. I will not be intimidated or silenced by these types of tactics and dirty tricks. Anybody who values truth and honesty has an obligation stand up against this as well. Even if you don’t like what someone has to say, all of us need to be committed to giving everyone the right to freely express their views. Otherwise we undermine free speech and sabotage the expression of ideas. And exactly what purpose would this blog serve if it simply became a tool to wage smear campaigns and spread lies against others?
Bubba, do you really doubt that Tenenbaum's campaign signs were removed and placed on the ground in Simi Valley? I noticed a few. Out of curiosity I attended the Tenenbaum picnic and noticed the photographer who didn't introduce himself or offer his affiliation. I spoke with Tenenbaum and was impressed with his demeanor,
intelligence,youthful vigor and his desire to right the sinking GOP ship.
How is it that Tenenbaum is campaigning in local high schools? I guess it doesn't really matter being that they can't vote and that young people never vote anyways.
Gallagher is an embarrASSment. He has been a lame duck since he got to congress.
Michael Tenenbaum's campaign certainly adds a new dimension and excitement to the upcoming Republican congressional primary -- something that has been missing in local poltics for two decades. But since our congressman, Elton Gallegly, has also been missing in action for almost two decades, Tenenbaum certainly brings youthful exuberance and a breath of fresh air to otherwise moldy and stale Republican politics in this district. That political scene has always been much like our jokes about Southern California weather -- "the same ol' thing, day after day." Area Republicans really ought to follow the lead of County Republican Chairwoman Leslie Cornejo and support the Tenenbaum alternative to our "same ol', same ol'" congressman.
The only other recent excitement in that arena was our congressman's efforts at a politically self-sparked, immolative melt-down with his withdrawal from the race due to "illness" and his miraculous overnight recovery and re-entry when he couldn't get anyone else to run in his place. He also let us know that he was totally ignorant of the law about deadlines for Federal campaign filings.
Since announcing he was running once again, he has refused to meet or debate Tenenbam face-to-face. As has been his practice for 19 years, Gallegly has melted away from any possibility of the public confronting him over his lackluster representation of this district in congress. The nick-name "Meltin' Elton" seems more than appropriate!
Steve Frank recetnly posted a missive at VenturaCountyStar.com -- following the May 27 article about Tenenbaum personally financing a big part of his own campaign -- about Tenenbaum's political shortcomings. The piece was indeed informative (see below), but also smells exactly like ultra-right political hatchetry. Even though Michael has positioned himself to the right of "Meltin' Elton", it appears the far right still wants to return a man to Congress who has no significant individual legislative record over ten terms, has never chaired a major committee, and is rarely -- if ever -- seen in the company of any influential congressional leaders, much less the President. They obviously ignore him just like he ignores his constituents.
And, another posting there by Cathy Carlson (also see below) mentioned that Meltin' Elton looked really quite sick at the McClintock dinner the other night after showing up 2 hours late and only staying 10 minutes.
"Meltin' Elton" seems to get quite vociferous and exophthalmic (look that one up in the dictionary!) over his opposition to the Republican Senate's and the Republican President's guest worker program for immigrant farm workers -- in spite of this district's lifeblood coming from the agriculture industry. He shows similar disdain for his constituents -- and his neighbor, Rep. Lois Capps -- by voting to allow military VIP hunting in the Channel Islands National Park.
I'm quite amused by the fact that "Meltin' Elton" considers stopping insect infestation of national forests and landscaping the 23 Freeway through his Simi Valley hometown more important that protecting the economic base of this county or protecting the environmental sanctity of our district's only national park.
If I were a Republican, I'd vote to "let Mikey do it"!!
Since I'm not, I'll just sit back and wait until November when I can vote for Rev. Jill Martinez to be a member of the new Democratic-controlled 110th Congress.
Tom Parker, Thousand Oaks
****************************************
From Steve Franks on VenturaCountyStar.com:
The Tenenbaum campaign is a great example for new candidates on how NOT to run a campaign.
Michael needed to do the following:
1. Be willing to be specific with the public about his positions on the issues, instead he used platitudes and buzz words--nothing specific.
2. When running for office, don't yell at the voters in public, like he did at the Simi Street Fair.
3. Don't join a group against lawsuit abuse, then become chairman of a Bar Association committee whose purpose is to attack groups against lawsuit abuse--people will find out.
4. Be a part of the community you want to represent--don't join local groups within a year of the race and then claim them as if you have been here a million years. Especially when many in leadership of those groups have no idea who you are.
5. As part of number four, when you become a chairman of a group, the group should have meetings and be real. don't claim to be the head of a religious politial organization if the group has never met.
Michael, thanks for a great campaign. In my speeches as "campaign schools" here in California and around the nation, your campaign will be a prime example of an inexperienceed, unprepared,no thought out effort.
The number one lesson learned from your "campaing" has been the need for strategy, planning and a foundation of support bfore entering a race. Thanks for the memories!
Steve Frank
11:51:25 a.m. on May 27, 2006
STEVE FRANK | Homepage | 05.27.06 - 8:56 am | #
**************************************
From Cathy Carlson on VenturaCountyStar.com:
Even though Tennenbaum may have made some rookie mistakes, I think he has great potential. He is a talented public speaker, and has a quick mind.
Final thought: Gallegly looked ill on Friday at McClintock's Hall of Fame Dinner when I spoke to him. He came 2 hours late and stayed about 10 minutes. Tennebaum was there and looked strong and healthy. Guess whose sign is in my Republican front yard?
4:42:30 p.m. on May 27, 2006
CATHY CARLSON | Homepage | 05.27.06 - 1:47 pm |
****************************************
I think it is clear Frank just wants the seat open when Meltin' Elton retires in 2 years. That way his friends the Stricklands can run.
He has been attacking Michael from day one. He doesn't ever talk about the committees Gallegly sits on or the lack of a legislative recored ( good job on square dancing being the national folk dance Elton!).
Although for Democrats this is a good sign. If Republicans think the country is on the right track they are more out of touch than George W. Bush at a Sierra Club meeting.