Influencing Outcome of a Political Race
The latest trend in Orange County politics has become clear: Attack the dreaded “GOP power brokers.”
If you believe a collection of recent letters to the editor and comments in news stories, these evil Republican monsters have taken over our government and are plotting to exploit the masses of Orange County residents for their own personal gain.
Fred Forster, in a (March 20) letter to The Times implies that I am one of these “power brokers.” Yes, once again, sideline complainers are stooping to new lows to avoid the issues.
I have never advised anyone not to run against an incumbent. I’ve even challenged people who disagree with me to run against me. For heaven’s sake, I wasn’t elected to Congress or the state Assembly through divine intervention. I ran in the primary, just like all the other candidates, against other Republicans. Now, 14 Republicans are running to replace me.
Forster seems to think the evil power brokers are going to determine who wins. Well, last time I checked it was still one person, one vote. And it is an insult to Orange County residents to imply that they can be duped by anyone. Even the most prominent and richest members of the Orange County Republican Party are utter failures at mind control.
Longtime residents take it for granted, but the California primary system is recognized by political scholars as one that follows the traditions of classical democracy. Party nominees are not determined in smoke-filled rooms--they are selected by the voters in open elections. If citizens believe an incumbent is not doing a good job, they not only have a right to try to change the situation--they have a duty. If that means more primary challengers, the more the merrier.
Anyone who calls himself a GOP power broker isn’t. Most people accused of being one simply have popular support. There are not any political brokers out there with ill-gotten power. Whatever significant influence county political leaders might have was made the old fashioned way: We’ve earned it.
ROBERT E. BADHAM
Member of Congress
40th District