Tony Strickland's campaign is going after Hannah-Beth Jackson for attending a meeting where some Democrats debated holding up the budget in an effort to make political gain from a stand off. Oh, and someone forgot to turn off a microphone that broadcast the meeting across the capitol building.
The first time I heard the charge I thought it was in reference to this year's budget. I knew that the entire budget wasn't being held up to benefit Hannah-Beth Jackson.
But the charge was that while she was in the state assembly she attended a meeting where holding up the budget was discussed. It would be interesting to know what she said at the meeting. Was she against the ploy? Did she speak out in support of it? Was she picking up some free snacks at the meeting or trying to lobby someone for a bill?
Click on continue reading for the press release with newspaper clippings from the Tony Strickland Campaign. The original version including mast heads that showed what paper they were from. It looked really sharp, but importing the graphics was taking too long.
P R E S S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Matt Guthrie
October 6, 2008
Truth Watch:
Jackson Denies Reports Of Holding Up State Budget For Political Gain
Says There Was No Secret Meeting: Numerous Media Reports Contradict Her Statement
Last Friday evening, Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson and Tony Strickland participated in a forum before a standing-room-only forum at Ventura College. Aside from Jackson's increasingly negative attacks, perhaps most noteworthy is her ability to distance herself from the truth.
After weeks of relentless and personal attacks on Tony Strickland, denying her work to create loop-holes in Proposition 13, and talking about everything but the economy, we've decided enough is enough: It's time to hold Hannah-Beth Jackson accountable.
When the topic of the state budget came up, The Ventura County Star reported in its October 4th edition, "Strickland said he was in favor of redistricting reform and then said his opponent was part of a secret meeting that took place that created division among legislators, leading to a late state budget. Jackson said there was no secret meeting."
Hannah-Beth Jackson thinks that when she says something, it's true. This time, her denials are more hollow than usual. Taxin' Jackson must have forgotten the news coverage of the now infamous "Squawk Box" recording. In this meeting, Democrats inadvertently had microphones transmitting their secret plans to hold up the budget and to blame the Republicans in hope of gaining a political advantage.
But don't take our word for it. Here's what the news media reported about Jackson's meeting:
July 22, 2003
HEADLINE: Democrats Discussed Extending Budget Crisis
"In a meeting they thought was private but was actually broadcast around the Capitol on Monday, 11 Assembly Democrats debated prolonging California's budget crisis to further their political goals.
Members of the Democratic Study Group, a caucus that defines itself as progressive, were unaware that a microphone in Committee Room 127 was on as they discussed slowing progress in an attempt to increase pressure on Republicans to accept tax increases as part of a deal to resolve the state's $38 billion budget gap.
The conversation was transmitted to roughly 500 "squawk boxes" around Sacramento that political staff, lobbyists and reporters use to listen in on legislative proceedings"
"...Democrats who attended the caucus session included Patti Berg, Eureka; Judy Chu, Monterey Park; Mervyn Dymally, Compton; Loni Hancock, Berkeley; Hannah-Beth Jackson, Santa Barbara; John Laird, Santa Cruz; John Longville, Rialto; Alan Lowenthal, Long Beach; and Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa."
"...The liberals in the group have been pushing for billions of dollars in tax hikes to preserve education and health programs, and were discussing whether to vote for the budget approved in the Senate or to keep fighting."
July 31, 2003
HEADLINE: HBJ Takes Issue with 'Squawk Box' Reports
"...Jackson was one of 11 assembly Democrats who were surprised to discover their deliberations Monday were being electronically transmitted via the electronic "squawk box" in their committee room to 500 other "squawk boxes" throughout the state capitol..."
"...Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg, said, "Some of us are thinking that maybe people should see the pain up close and personal right now..."
July 23, 2003
HEADLINE: Democrats turn to damage control after budget strategy leak
"Democrats were doing damage control yesterday after Republicans released a transcript of liberal Assembly Democrats talking privately about holding up the state budget to gain political advantage..."
July 22, 2003
HEADLINE: Open Mic Catches California Democrats
"...Unaware that a live microphone was broadcasting their words around the Capitol, Assembly Democrats meeting behind closed doors debated prolonging California's budget crisis for political gain."
"...Members of the coalition of liberal Democrats talked about slowing progress on the budget as a means of increasing pressure on Republicans."
July 27, 2003
HEADLINE: ANALYSIS: Outgunned GOP makes big rebound
"...A private discussion of 11 Democrats that was inadvertently broadcast last week through the Capitol's "squawk box" sound system helped Republicans dramatically."
"...One Democrat, with comments beamed into 500 offices of lawmakers, lobbyists and reporters, suggested deliberately holding up the budget to force Republicans into line. That outraged Republicans -- and the public. ''What I'm asked on talk shows and interviews usually comes down now to three things -- the budget, the recall and the "squawk box,'' Campbell said."
Press-Telegram
LONG BEACH, CA
August 12, 2003
HEADLINE: The car tax shuffle; Legislature: Repeal of
increase is welcome - and a political ploy
"...Hardly a surprising move, though, from a group whose key members recently plotted ways to extend the costly and destructive budget crisis to benefit Davis and the Democratic party. That conversation happened to be accidentally broadcast on the Capitol's closed-circuit "squawk box"..."
"No wonder Californians are so fed up."
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Doesn't sound so secret to me. Tony is confused - private is not the same as secret.
I was at the debate where this was brought up and it was very apparent to me that she thought Strickland was referring to the bipartisan budget committee meetings headed by Keith Richman. She even said so. The Star account was not very thorough. I took good notes. So the Strickland folks are basing their press release on the Star's account of what happened, not what actually happened. Watch the debate coverage on CAPS-TV on Thursday if you want confirmation of this.
The Richman-led meetings were definitely not secret.
It sounds as if these other meetings they are referring to were private but not secret. Do they have any reports of what Hannah-Beth said there? She could've been telling them all to take a hike for all we know.
Sorry. This is a silly release from a silly campaign. I'm sure Hannah-Beth's campaign staff will weigh in with their own take on this.
I don't understand - what does the press release have to do with the price of tea in China? Or the state of our state budget? Or the paralysis in Sacramento? Or ignoring the growing prison population? Or the short return on our Federal Dollars? Or off-shore drilling? Or redistricting? Or traffic infrastucture........... - you know - the issues that are important to voters.
I received a very funny mailer from Jackson today. It is in a cartoon format and has Strickland surrounded by "special friends" - a cigarette, a gas pump, a syringe, etc. - all handing out money. It is very clever.
We also received that mailer. The cigarette cartoon reminds me of our own Butt Man, who has 947 views on YouTube now.
While Jackson is busy designing cartoons and slinging mud around, Tony Strickland is out there spreading a positive, can-do message that is resonating with the voters in this district.
Someone on another thread made the point that the number of Obama bumper stickers out there signifies the lead that he may have over John McCain. Well, using that analogy, if you take a look at the number of bumper stickers out there supporting Strickland in comparison to those for the Taxin' one, you'll see who's the clear choice in this election.
Jackson is resorting to negative campaigning because her own poll numbers show her trailing Strickland by at least 10 points. It's desperation time, folks. I wouldn't be rejoicing about those hit pieces she's sending out if I were you.
I was reading your post with interest to understand the views of supporters and what motivates them.
But then you look like you made something up.
Do you really expect us to believe that you have access to her internal polls? Why not realease the numbers then.
How big was the sample size? When was it taken? What were the numbers? If you have seen it then post them.
Until then I am going to assume you make up things to suit your agenda.
I haven't seen internal polls from either campaign like you describe.
I have seen a mix of bumper stickers, and I think Tony Strickland is ahead in getting them on cars.
But as far as how many you have seen I am going to assume you might be making that up too.
You have posted incorrect information about polling, whoever you are.
Strickland has the most negative, false and unflattering commercial out right now about Hannah-Beth. So he's busy wallowing in the mud as deeply as he can get.
At least the stuff the Jackson campaign is doing is funny. And very accurate.
And they did not do bumper stickers, so that may be why you aren't seeing any. (I have not seen one Strickland one at all, to be honest.)
I was the one who posted about the number of bumper stickers (7:1) and said I HOPED it didn't represent the lead.
All I know is that Strickland better not be peppering the county with yard signs and bumper stickers. Talk about wasting energy and the environment!
Katie,
You can't be serious about Strickland destroying the environment with lawn signs and bumper stickers. Blanketing of the landscape with these political advertisements is typical for any candidate during the political season (Democrat or Republican). Have you even noticed the plethora of Obama lawn signs and bumper stickers out there? And this is the guy who's supposed to be Mr. Environment.
Brian,
The polls I'm referring to are internal polls conducted by the Strickland campaign. I do not have the authority to release the data, but, trust me, it's real. Just because it speaks unfavorably of your candidate doesn't it make any less valid.
Your comment on my "observations" on the Strickland bumper stickers is equally bizarre. Again, it speaks volumes about your bias in this race and contains no substance whatsoever. Marie even admits that the Jackson campaign decided not to do bumper stickers, thus helping to validate my point.
I believe my comments were referring strictly to the Senate campaign and yes, I am totally serious. If Strickland has so many concerns about energy and the environment, he should Walk the Walk and not deface the public view. I haven't seen many bumper stickers but I have seen yard signs.
As far as "internal polls" - neither candidate would have them on public blogs - they pay too much money for them. Of course if you ask Strickland, his camp will say he is up. Just like Jackson's camp will say she is up. Just like McCain's camp will say he will win and even Ron Paul's camp will say he will win.
It's possible somebody else did bumper stickers for her. I just haven't seen them. I can find out. I know the firefighters did signs for her. Her campaign did their own signs, too, but they've been really restrictive about where they can be placed.
You first said "her own poll numbers" so you're now backtracking and that does not bode well in the truth department for you. That coupled with the fact that you're using a fake name, means ZERO credibility. The moon is made of green cheese, too.
Quit attacking Brian. He's honest and puts up with an enormous amount of stuff to maintain this blog so you can post your fabrications.