While Janet Nguyen's and Trung Nguyen's campaigns were wrangling over voided ballots last week, Carlos Bustamante -- or more accurately, his lovely wife -- increased the population of Santa Ana by one with the birth of their son Thomas Andrew at 10:04 p.m. on February 22.
Thomas Andrew was 8 pounds, 12 ounces (!) and 22 inches long. A fine big lad. Carlos told me his wife and new son are doing fine, and while he's disappointed at losing the special election, he's overjoyed at his new son.
"Politics isn't my life," he said. A refreshing attitude -- and too rare among local elected officialdom.
While I had Carlos on the phone, I asked him about the rumor started by Santa Ana council gadfly George Collins and now being repeated by Orange Juice proprietor and Bustamante-hater Art Pedroza: namely, that Carlos is going to re-register as a Democrat.
Carlos said there's absolutely no truth to it. Which is what I thought since, for example, Carlos is an honorary co-chair for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's upcoming OC event.
Then again, Art repeatedly claimed last fall that Carlos had been a Democrat until a couple of years ago -- until I took the simple step of checking Carlos' voter registration history. That revealed he'd never been a Democrat, but had first been and American Independent and then a Decline-To-State until registering as a Republican about six years ago.
Fact-checking -- it's such a bother!
I predict that each time Carlos loses another election politics will become less and less a part of his life. Congratulations Carlos on growing your family.
Posted by: Life's truths | February 28, 2007 at 06:54 PM
What???? Do you mean Art posts BS and does not check his facts? Say it isn't so. So much for integrity eh Art?
Posted by: flowerszzz | February 28, 2007 at 07:31 PM
Bruce Cohen, the esteemed County Chairman of the Libertarian Party, summed up Art Pedroza's habit of lying to hurt whoever he's made at, in another posting where he exposed what we all have come accustomed to expect from Pedroza: He (Pedroza) has an "allergy to accuracy." Brilliant quote, Bruce!
By the way Jubal, you're too kind - it wasn't a rumor; it was a lie!
Congratulations to Carlos and Adriana Bustamante on the arrival of their 3rd precious child! May God Bless the newest addition to your family.
Posted by: Congrats Carlos! | February 28, 2007 at 07:55 PM
Carlos is a class act. My family and I saw him over the weekend at Discovery Science Center. He was there sans infant and wife, but had promised his two other kids a shot at the Elmo/Seasme Street "Body" exhibit (very cool by the way). He has his priorities in order and if higher office comes, I am sure he will be more than able to tackle the job. If not, he is a happy guy and contributing to the future in a more meaningful way any how.
Posted by: DSimpson | February 28, 2007 at 08:09 PM