SD33 Watch: Michelle Steele Endorse Sidhu; Norby Not Running
This invite came over the transom yesterday. It's for a Harry Sidhu for Senate fundraiser at the June 14 Angels game.
The featured speaker is Board of Equalization member Michelle Steel. Since Sidhu will almost certainly lose the endorsement primary to Assemblywoman Mimi Walters, capturing the endorsement of one of the highest-ranking GOP electeds in the state is a nice "get."
Supervisor Chris Norby is also a featured speaker, which puts to rest any possibility he will jump into the 33rd Senate District Republican primary. Since there's no indication of any other potential GOP candidates, it looks to be a two-person, North County candidate versus South County candidate primary.
I also noticed OC Building Industry Association CEO Kris Thalman listed as a featured speaker. I haven't had a chance to ask Kris about this, but my guess is her support for Harry might be related to Mimi's spearheading of last year's eminent domain initiative -- which was vigorously opposed by the BIA. But again, that is only my reasoned guess until I talk to Kris.
On the other hand, given Harry's support for Disney's ballot box zoning initiative, I'm a bit surprised to see any BIA support for his candidacy. The BIA/OC spent a lot of money last year fighting ballot-box zoning initiatives in both Yorba Linda and Newport Beach.
Speaking of the Disney initiative, this excerpt from Dave McKibben's article in Tuesday's LA Times gives am indication of why consistency isn't Harry's strongest suit:
Sidhu, who opposes the Platinum Pointe project, said he was "fully supportive" of Baak's development, because it wasn't originally part of the resort district and was added only in recent years. Also, Sidhu said the hotel at the front of the property would create a "resort feel."
Despite his support, Sidhu backs the ballot measure to ban housing in the district.
If the ban gets on the ballot and is approved by voters, the council would have had to approve the Baak project before the February election for it to be built.
"This is a great project," Sidhu said. "It will clean up that end of Harbor. Disney should work with us on this."
In other words, Harry opposes Platinum Pointe after supporting it. Harry supports the Renaissance project, which Disney opposes. But Harry also supports the Disney initiative, which would kill the Renaissance Project by putting it to a city-wide election in which Disney would oppose it.
[Full disclosure: I'm a member of the consulting team for Platinum Pointe]
At $500 per person, you can be assured that the Disneyland supporters will be there in force.
The "nice get" of Michelle Steel and others was most likely made by Sidhu's fellow Disney puppet, Mayor Pringle.
A possible motto for Sidhu and Pringle: "Whatever may be good for the Disney Corporation, will be great for Anaheim".
Posted by: Anaheim H.O.M.E. | June 02, 2007 at 12:29 PM
At $500 per person, you can be assured that the Disneyland supporters will be there in force.
The "nice get" of Michelle Steel and others was most likely made by Sidhu's fellow Disney puppet, Mayor Pringle.
A possible motto for Sidhu and Pringle: "Whatever may be good for the Disney Corporation, will be great for Anaheim".
Posted by: Anaheim H.O.M.E. | June 02, 2007 at 12:30 PM
At $500 per person, you can be assured that the Disneyland supporters will be there in force.
The "nice get" of Michelle Steel and others was most likely made by Sidhu's fellow Disney puppet, Mayor Pringle.
A possible motto for Sidhu and Pringle: "Whatever may be good for the Disney Corporation, will be great for Anaheim".
Posted by: Anaheim H.O.M.E. | June 02, 2007 at 12:45 PM
This is just normal payback, since Mimi supported her fellow Assembly GOPer Ray Haynes against Michelle Steel for the BOE.
Harry has no chance of winning, by the way.
Posted by: Just payback | June 02, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Bing Harry Sidhu on. He's the best candidate Mimi could face - how is a guy who lives in Anaheim, operates low-rent greasy fast food joints, an being an ambitious politician who is loved by big developers going to win voters in a closed GOP primary?
And Harry hired Duane and Jen to go up against Dave and Natalie and Chris? Heck, Gilliard nearly beat Tom Harman with a then no-name candidate in last year's Senate Special.
Take a look at this site's archives to see differences in the production values of the mail btween GBWA and Coronado. Not. even. close.
It's like bringing a pea shooter to a gun fight.
Posted by: NotWildboutHarry | June 02, 2007 at 03:58 PM
"This is just normal payback, since Mimi supported her fellow Assembly GOPer Ray Haynes against Michelle Steel for the BOE."
Why would you pay back someone for supporting their friend?
This isn't very smart for Michelle Steel. Harry's going to get crushed.
Posted by: Huh? | June 02, 2007 at 04:32 PM
NotWildboutHarry, besides being an idiot you're a bit of a racist. I hope Jubal strikes your comment soon.
Posted by: redperegrine | June 02, 2007 at 04:36 PM
I'd take Duane over Gilliard anyday.
Actually, for a good example of some REALLY bad mailers, look no further than:
Janet Nguyen for Supervisor
Posted by: Nesta | June 02, 2007 at 04:40 PM
HOME - I am pretty sure Pringle has endorsed Mimi, they are longtime friends - so I serously doubt he is helping Sidhu. As for Sidhue being Pringle's puppet - you live in Anaheim right? Then you are aware on most issues they do not agree - so you are 0 for 2 my dear.
Posted by: FLowerszzz | June 02, 2007 at 07:16 PM
Anaheim Home.
I think you may be a little off on this one since Sidhu was talking about running against Pringle for Mayor.
But, maybe, things have since changed?
I don't claim to be in the loop.
I think it would be very tough for Sidhu to win this primary.
Posted by: Brett Nemeth | June 03, 2007 at 02:35 AM
Yes, this appears to be about Mimi endorsing Ray Haynes against Michelle Steele. Seems that Schroeder is getting grumpier and grumpier. It is getting to the point where if Schroeder is against something- I will be for it- no matter the issue.
Posted by: | June 03, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Brett - I dunno, we shall see. They both have their own $$$ and Harry is a great fundraiser.
Posted by: FLowerszzz | June 03, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Good for Michelle Steel in being a loyal friend - not enough of people like her in politics these days.
As for Coronado vs. GWBA, Duane Duchiara is not to be underestimated and i'm glad he's in this race to let people know that Gillard is not the best consulting firm in Orange County.
Posted by: Cow | June 03, 2007 at 05:36 PM
Although Harry will get thumped in the primary, nice of Steele to stay loyal.
JSPAZ
Posted by: JSPAZ | June 04, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Matt,
The Building Industry Association of Orange County does not endorse in state races. We leave that to the CBIA PAC. Kris Thalman's involvement in this fundraiser as a speaker is a result of a request to address the positive progress that the City of Anaheim is experiancing under the leadership of the City Council. Mimi is has always been a friend to our industry and CBIA has been a consistant supporter of her campaign committee in Sacremento. That said, we will defer to the State Association for the industry's official support position.
Posted by: BIA/OC | June 05, 2007 at 12:04 PM