Measure D Mailbox: November 7, 2005

A reader sent me this new Yes On Measure D mailer:

Yes, the mailer implies Gov. Schwarzenegger endorses Measure D, but the way that commission's conclusion is presented is fair game within the usual bounds of campaign communications.

However, this mailer -- which obviously targets Republican voters -- uses the Republican Party logo. My understanding is a campaign cannot do that without the GOP's permission -- which the Yes on D campaign could never get because the Republican Party of Orange County officially opposes Measure D.

What makes this even more interesting is the involvement of OC Blog friend Jim Lacy -- Dana Point Councilman, OCFA Director, and a leader of the Yes On D campaign. A Lacy quote, in his capacity as co-founding director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association (HJTA), adorns the above mailer.

Readers will remember that about 7-10 days before the Oct. 4th 48th CD primary, the Marilyn Brewer campaign sent out a mailer using a copyrighted picture of Howard Jarvis. The copyright is held by the HJTA and the Save Proposition 13 Committee -- neither of which gave the Brewer campaign permission to use it.

Here's an excerpt of The Successor Project Blog's commentary on that episode:

There is still time for Campbell and HJTA to mail a response to this mailer. Candidates who use these techniques usually suffer severe repercussions – unless they are used so late in the campaign that the other side has little time to respond [emphasis mine - ed]. This could’ve been an effective piece, but Brewer’s campaign shot itself in the foot by sending it so early.

TSP is a Jim Lacy project, although my understanding is he is not the only TSP director with posting privileges on their blog, so I don't know if Jim authored that particular post.

Still, it's interesting that the Yes On D campaign followed that advice and sent out the above mailer "so late in the campaign that the other side" -- in this instance the GOP whose logo is most likely being used without permission -- "has little time to respond."

Comments

[Blog Watcher]

What a great looking mail piece. And unlike the No on D campaign, it doesn't try to instill fear.

Unlike their counterparts, the firefighters have run an outstandingly clean campaign.

No attacks on the OCSD of being mismanaged, no claims of others being overcompensated, and no claims of doom and gloom. I remember when Sarge got all weird because someone dared to ask how much deputies earned. And yet one of the mail pieces I received from the No side stated the $175K earnings of firefighters. Yet I didn't hear him or any other person defend the action as being improper.

Even with the Supes throwing on three counter measures to confuse and dilute the vote (according the OC Register yesterday) I bet they win as a result.

And I am proud to have voted YES on this ballot.

[GOPer in CDM]

I agree with that blog watcher fella. Finally, something positive that my wife and I can carry with us as we go to the polls tomorrow. It's nice to see this positive piece from the fire department.

My city has its own fire and police departments, but my wife's bridge club and my K club are all voting the way the pamphlet suggests (and yes on Arnold’s initiatives, of course!) We like firemen and we think they got hoodwinked by Mr. Carona. Frankly, many of his actions don't please us at all.

[AOCDS Smoke Screen]

This mailer finally breaks down the lie that the AOCDS is trying to put out that they will lose funding. If Measure D funds come from only the GROWTH of revenues... THOSE FUNDS WERE NEVER YOURS TO LOSE...

Too many lies from the No side... that is why I'm YES ON MEASURE D

[Joe Citizen]

OK, let me add to the "smokescreen".
Gee whiz, fellas, I just think those firemen are mean jealous guys. Chuck and all the boys at the lodge all think the same way- those deputy sheriffs and DA's are some some great guys! I'm gonna grab Mrs. Cleaver and the well produced "No on D" flier I got in the mail and be a proud American and run down and vote "No on D". We'll get in the Chevrolet and maybe even stop for some apple pie...

[Green Machine]

Such cozy comments from all those fire supporters...probably no chance that they're all probably firefighters.

[OC Fire Storm]

Such cozy comments from all those fire supporters...probably no chance that they're all probably firefighters.

Green, Green, Green,

Oh ye of little faith...

That Joe Citizen guy does sound like Doc Holliday. A bit hostile, if I may say so myself.

See See Sheriff Carona Promising Funds to Fire Fighters. Amazing!

[Green Machine]

I dunno fire...you gotta admit that was kinda funny. Your supporters were just a little over the top with praise for your efforts....especially that GOPer guy.

I know the cop in me makes me a cynic, but gee whiz...we're gonna bring our Yes on D mailer and vote just like it says we're supposed to??? He's probably waiting at his front door for the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol to come by his door too!

[Joe Citizen]

and he's darning his "Do not remove under penalty of law" tags back onto his couch...

Just in case he gets confused, he will have his mailer...duuhhh

[OC Fire Storm]

I know the cop in me makes me a cynic, but gee whiz...we're gonna bring our Yes on D mailer and vote just like it says we're supposed to???

I don't know...but now's not the time to be ripping the public. You guys need every vote you can get!

[elliot N.]

Nice mailer.

Why is everthing still burning and nobody holding a hose, there is four of them. Shouldn't they be puttin' out that fire instead of going for a stroll.

I noticed the guys in the back are wearing what looks like denim, are they a prisoner fire crew?

Golly gee, why is O-CRV Firestorm politicing while on duty, doesn't he have a boat to polish.

[elliot N.]

"I don't know...but now's not the time to be ripping the public."

O-CRV I think you forgot a word, "...now's not the time to be ripping the public OFF!"

[Blog Watcher]

How interesting. The firefighters use facts, the law enforcement folks make snide remarks.

I wonder who is winning, and who is losing?

[OC Fire Storm]

I noticed the guys in the back are wearing what looks like denim, are they a prisoner fire crew?

No, that's an old pic of LACO fire. That's what they used to wear.

[Green Machine]

You don't actually believe that do you OC Fire? That someone other than us actually reads this blog and makes their mind up based on our mindless banter?

Let's not give ourselves too much credit. This blog topic has digressed into an insult exchange board filled with occasional wit and alot of BS...on both sides.

If GOPer is a real person and by that I mean not a firefighter or family member, then he's all yours. I'll take Joe Citizen. At least his hoky speech is actually intended to be that way!

[elliot N.]

I wonder also?

[Joe Citizen]

Gee willikers, BW, so do I! Even though I have no connection to OCFS, I just find everything about those firefighters wonderful. I think I will keep making seemingly innocent comments all evening- I'm firmly convinced that thousands of OC voters are GLUED to this blog and my "Goofus and Gallant" comments, and not MNF. Jeez.

[Green Machine]

Hey Blog watcher,

Here's a fact. You're going to lose tomorrow! How's that for snide?!

[Blog Watcher]

Hey GM. That's pretty good.

Let me know how that works out.

I'm don't win or lose. I guess in your paranoid little world anyone who disagrees with must be a firefighter. I'm not for a lot of reasons. The least of which is the job doesn't pay enough.

But the bottom line is the firefighters have run a much better campaign than the deputies. And everyone sees that. Their political capital has increased as a result. And the deputies have come across as fearmongering and mean spirited. And their political capital has diminshed. It has only reinforced the most negative stereotype some people have for law enforcement. Especially the remarks by Wayne Quint threatening an entire neighborhood's personal safety.

Now say something really pithy that will attempt to impress us with your extraordinary intellect. We can't wait.

How about "Blow me, asswipe"?

[Green Machine]

Ease up on your brilliance BW. Your theory on increased political capital for the firefighters is laughable.

The Republican Party, Both the LA Times and Orange County Register, Most Politicians and several fellow public employee unions have all come out against Measure D. The list goes on....if/when the voters defeat Measure D, then the loss will be complete...so NO, I don't think they've increased their political capital. They've just wasted alot of union dollars!

[Joe Citizen]

Both of those were real pithy, BW!

[Blog Watcher]

You don't understand political capital. Since the deputies campaign was fearmongering and mean spirited, the groups you list are now associated with you. And as a result, the capital of those groups is diminshed. Considering the number of people in opposition and the amount of money spent, the firefighters are a long shot. AKA. They're supposed to lose. And you better hope they lose. Because if they win, then whose capital will have increased most?

Joe Citizen. I expected nothing less than the anon post. Very nice to reinforce my perception of the No on D campaign.

GM, you must be very proud of your supporter.

[Green Machine]

oh I see...anyone that agrees with the deputies is going to lose their political capital...thats a looooong list of people who will have lost their political capital.

Do you include the Republican Party in that group? How about the OC Register and LA Times?

Maybe you should work for the firefighters BW...that's a heck of a distortion! You don't like our tactics and by the tone of your comments, you don't like cops in general.

But don't let facts and the huge political opposition get in the way of your theory...after all, maybe the world is flat and maybe...just maybe...Santa will come with a present for you!

How's that for pithy?

[Joe Citizen]

Looks like three piths in a row, BW.