I returned home from a media roundtable with the New Majority a little while ago. I'll write that one up later, but during the course of the two-hours lunch/interview sessions, it came out that Assemblywoman Mimi Walters and Anaheim Councilman Harry Sidhu were coming in this afternoon to meet with the New Majority's Political Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Conexant Chairman and CEO Dwight Decker.
The New Majority intends to endorse in this race, but will delay a decision until after candidate filing closes.
The last time Mimi Walters was in a contested primary -- when she ran for the 73rd Assembly District against then-Supervisor Tom Wilson and Vista School Board member Jim Gibson -- The New Majority endorsed her.
I would put my last dollar on Mimi getting this. It is her crowd.
Posted by: | July 25, 2007 at 04:21 PM
I agree, the New Majority doesn't really give non establishment candidate a chance, even if that person could demonstrate any sort of viability.
Kudos to them for supporting Mimi over the squish Tom Wilson, but I think they should stay out of the 33 SD primary.
Posted by: Observer | July 25, 2007 at 08:44 PM
It has been fascinating to watch The New Majority evolve from the outsiders of the March 2000 election trying to overthrow the establishment personified by Tom Fuentes to their present persona as the predictable establishment. It is a safe bet that they will endorse Mimi; she is the safe choice (and a very good one as well.) Mr. Sidhu, though, is a valuable asset for the Republicans and it would be a mistake not to fine a means to bring him closer to the party.
The key for Harry is to show impressive numbers from the Indo-American communities to prove to others that this is a potent group that is ready for their day in the political sun and to show that Harry is their emerging leader. Without that fundraising in the bank, The New Majority will not be impressed (and indeed they should not be.) While both of these fine conservative elected leaders can easily self-fund an agressive campaign, I know TNM folks to be shrewd enough to look at the donor numbers: Mimi will dominate the usual suspects in Sacramento and The OC and Harry needs to bring in large dollars from our new citizens from the sub-continent.
Posted by: Long-time politico | July 26, 2007 at 08:04 AM
Hi L-T Political:
Why the thoughtful, reasoned analysis? Mimi will win this race 2 to 1...or at least 60% - 40%.
Henry might be a GREAT American and even an outstanding candidate. But he's not going to go to the California State Senate directly from the Anaheim City Council. At not least in 2008.
The megabucks campaign which his consultant is preparing to launch on his behalf will be a total waste (except, of course, to the consultant). The turnout will be so small that you will be able to count the undecided voters on one hand. Not literally, of course.
The very high propensity Orange County Republican voter knows and likes (loves?) Mimi. The very high propensity Orange County Republican voter doesn't know, and doesn't care, who Henry is.
The Councilman should reassess his political future. His consultant will tell him he has to trash Mimi to even get noticed, and trashing Mimi will really tick everyone off, including me, and I'm usually pretty tolerant about those kinds of things.
Posted by: One Who Knows | July 26, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Can't help but mention this on the posts by "One Who Knows" - just curious - it seems rather strange that if you are really "One Who Knows" - why do you keep calling Anaheim Councilman Sidhu by the first name of "Henry" when his first name is "Harry" as all of those who are truly "in the know" - know.
Harry Sidhu is a strong candidate and friend of the taxpayers. Go Harry!
Posted by: Taxpayerconcerns | July 26, 2007 at 03:27 PM
Can't help but mention this on the posts by "One Who Knows" - just curious - it seems rather strange that if you are really "One Who Knows" - why do you keep calling Anaheim Councilman Sidhu by the first name of "Henry" when his first name is "Harry" as all of those who are truly "in the know" - know.
Harry Sidhu is a strong candidate and friend of the taxpayers. Go Harry!
Posted by: | July 26, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Mimi has made a mistake endorsing Diane Harkey so early as her successor and serving as Harkey's campaign chair for the 73rd AD election, while also trying to win a contested 33rd SD at the same time. It doesn't look right. If Sidhu starts smearing Mimi Walters with all of Harkey's negatives, the Harkey endorsement could end up an "unforced error" for Mimi Walters and cost her a few points against Sidhu. The Harkey recall people have a site up at www.dianeharkeyrecall.com and the stuff is not pretty.
Posted by: Republican chick | July 26, 2007 at 06:57 PM
To be accurate, Harry's real name is "Harish" according to the Secretary of State.
Posted by: Fact Checker | July 27, 2007 at 11:38 AM