High marks on the Right

Newport Beach Rep. John Campbell may not have cast many votes in Congress yet, but when he has, they’ve stuck to conservative ideals, according to one lobbying group that released 2005 rankings of members of Congress on Friday.

The American Conservative Union, which claims to be the nation’s largest grass-roots conservative lobbying group, named Campbell among the “best and brightest” conservatives based on votes on 25 bills in 2005. He was one of 50 representatives and senators thus distinguished, but since Campbell took office in early December, he hasn’t had much time to run afoul of anyone.

Huntington Beach Rep. Dana Rohrabacher scored 96% for his 2005 votes, a slight increase from the 91% he received in 2004.

IMMIGRATION TALKS

WILL TRAVEL

Campbell confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. House of Representatives will hold rare public hearings in August around the country on a controversial Senate immigration bill, but it’s not certain whether any events will be held in Orange County or even California.

“I think what you’re seeing here is that it’s our belief in the House that the McCain/Kennedy bill is a bad bill and it’s enormously unpopular, and these hearings will determine that,” Campbell said.

The Senate bill includes provisions to let some illegal immigrants become citizens. That is sharply at odds with the House bill stressing border security. Campbell said that shows senators are out of touch with what Americans want, and hearings will force them to realize it.

The upshot? The House speaker will have the moral authority to reject forming a conference committee to try to reconcile the two bills, Campbell said. So it’s back to square one.

“Then the question is will the Senate pass something that’s border security only. I don’t know,” Campbell said, adding that people mainly want to know that there won’t be millions if immigrants crossing the border illegally in the future.

“I know the president’s calling for comprehensive reform, but I don’t think the people are calling for comprehensive reform,” he said.

DEVORE HAS SIGHTS ON THE GOVERNATOR?

Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore won a battle but is still fighting the war on health benefits for illegal immigrants. Last week he criticized Assembly Democrats for adding $500 million to the budget to cover healthcare for low income families ? including some illegal immigrants.

Assembly budget committee chairman John Laird disputed DeVore’s assessment of the proposal, saying that it would cost about $300 million over several years and that most of the children who would be insured are legal U.S. residents.

DeVore launched his attack on talk radio as well as in print, and he credits the plan’s removal from the budget to the response from people around the state. But he’s not finished.

“I commend the Democrat leadership for removing this massive illegal immigrant entitlement from the state budget,” he said in a news release. “Now, Gov. Schwarzenegger must take the final step by removing the remaining $23 million for illegal immigrant health insurance from the state budget.”

TIME TO BE FAIR TO ORANGE COUNTY DEMOCRATS

Local Democrats are seeking volunteers to help them get ready for the Orange County Fair, where they typically have an information booth.

This Sunday they’ll move materials to Costa Mesa, and next weekend they’ll be painting the booth. Helpers are needed for other fair preparations as well. For information or to volunteer, call Marti Schrank at (714) 835-5158 or send an e-mail to marti@ocdemocrats.net.

CAN’T SPELL NORBY WITHOUT A ‘SMALL L’ (SORT OF)

Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby will speak at a Sunday meeting of the Orange County Libertarian Party in Costa Mesa. Norby recently won a second term on the board of supervisors and is considered a “small l” libertarian, according to Orange County Libertarian Party Chairman Bruce Cohen.

The meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. at Karl Strauss Brewery and Restaurant, 901 South Coast Drive. For information call Cohen at (949) 813-8001.dpt.22-landscape-CPhotoInfoCL1S7HV920060622j09pl1ncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Rep. John Campbell asks a question during a presentation at the National Fuel Cell Research Center at UC Irvine. Last week, he was ranked among 50 of the “best and brightest” conservatives in Congress.