Other items in today’s column include
*Political bytes
*Coming our way
SAN DIEGO – Back in the days when I was the politics writer for The San Diego Union (1972-80), things were a lot different. Campaigns were delighted if supporters would put up yard signs, or ruin their car bumpers with political stickers. They were only too happy to give such materials to you, and while they were at it, give you even more for your friends and neighbors too.
However, reading email from candidates for mayor of our wonderful city, I find that such practices are out of date. Now, potential voters are expected to pay for the privilege of supporting candidates.
For example, Nick Serrano, the campaign manager for Assemblyman Todd Gloria, recently sent a message for the mayoral candidate urging voters to “rush a $5 contribution to receive your bumper sticker before it’s too late.”
With an eye toward Christmas, he added, “These Todd Gloria for Mayor bumper stickers will make the perfect stocking stuffers for your family and friends this holiday but you’ve got to order fast because they’ll be gone soon!”
Oh, come on, Nick! Your campaign can’t reprint them by the thousands? A story in the San Diego Union-Tribune reported today that Gloria’s mayoral campaign had raised $640,000 from January through June of this year, while City Councilwoman Barbara Bry had raised $529,000 over the same period.
I can just hear some of our neighbor children cheering enthusiastically on Christmas morning, “Mommy, mommy! Look mommy, Santa brought me a Todd Gloria bumper sticker!”
Evidently Gloria and Bry both believe that voters are nearly swooning to receive their campaign advertising materials.
In a Thanksgiving message to potential supporters, Bry wrote, “As a token of my appreciation, I’d like to give you a FREE yard sign (her emphasis, not mine). Simply add your name and address to our list and we’ll deliver one to your door!”
My goodness, does she expect voters to jump up and down like those who win the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes? “Oh Nancy! Can you believe it! They’re here! We’ve won a yard sign! Be still my racing heart! Knock me over with a feather!”
San Diego City Councilman Scott Sherman has now indicated that he plans to run for mayor. As he is completing his second term as the councilman from the 7th District, he can’t run for reelection, so he might as well shoot for something higher. He is a Republican, whereas Gloria and Bry are Democrats. If Democrats split the vote, U-T political writers Charles T. Clark and David Garrick suggest, Sherman might be able to get past the March 3 primary as one of the top two vote-getters who will face each other in the November election. But thereafter, they point out, things may be more difficult for him, assuming voters know his partisan affiliation which is not listed on the mayoral ballot. There are 322,229 voters registered as Democrats in this city, compared to 162,475 who are registered as Republicans. Voters who decline to state their affiliation number 239,141, and it will be to them that mayoral candidates must appeal.
I wonder how many of those independent voters will want to buy a yard sign, bumper sticker, or campaign button? And how many of them will think it chutzpadik for a candidate to even ask them to make such a purchase?
*
Political bytes
*Charles Wax, chairman and CEO of Waxie Sanitary Supply, is among the hosts of a fundraiser for Republican Brian Maryott, the mayor of San Juan Capistrano, who seeks to oust Democrat Mike Levin from the 49th Congressional District seat. The fund raiser will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Croquet Cottage. The minimum campaign donation requested is $250, but an invitation points out attendees may legally contribute as much as $2,800 to Maryott’s campaign.
*Cory Briggs, a candidate for San Diego City Attorney, has criticized incumbent City Attorney Mara Elliott for urging the City Council to pass an ordinance requiring that guns either have trigger locks on them, or be locked away in a box, when not being carried by their owners. According to a story by the U-T’s David Garrick, it’s not that Briggs is against gun locks, it’s that he thinks a city attorney should be advising the City Council on the legality of legislation, not proposing legislation herself. Elliott counters that Briggs’ position is remarkably close to that of the gun lobby.
*
Coming our way
*Solly Hess, the western regional director for the Orthodox Union, will be the scholar in residence at Beth Jacob Congregation Dec. 6-7. On Friday evening, at an oneg at the residence of Avi and Efrat Kemp, he will discuss “Your Mount Rushmore: How the Figures of the Past Move Us Forward.” On Saturday, after kiddush, he will discuss “Down the Rabbi Hole and Back: A Story of Family, Community, Prayer and Hope.” One may register and pay in advance for the Shabbos luncheon via this website.
* Rabbi Rafi Andrusier will host a BLT breakfast – Bagels, Lox, and Tefillin—at 9 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Chabad of East County, 7290 Navajo Road, Suite 207, in San Diego. “Wrap Tefillin, recite a prayer, and enjoy bagels, lox & cream cheese, with a cup of freshly brewed coffee & a good schmooze.” The event is sponsored by Dr. Allen Jay. A few hours later, the rabbi will officiate at 1 p.m. a “menorah building workshop” at the Home Depot at 5920 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego. Participants will receive a free worker’s apron and will hear music and partake of refreshments, assuming they RSVP via this website.
*Cantor Cheri Weiss, spiritual leader of the San Diego Outreach Synagogue, plans musical Shabbats followed by dinners from 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday evenings Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 6, April 3, May 8, and June 5. More information, including locations, may be accessed via this website.
*
Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com