Jon Fleischman posted yesterday on FlashReport about last week's 60AD Republican candidate forum in the beautiful City of Orange. Red County/San Bernadino also wrote up the debate.
The buzz, such as it is, coming out of the debate focuses not so much on the candidates as on the peculiar nature of candidate Curt Hagman's entourage. Per FlashReport:
Well, at this function, in the sleepy City of Orange, I was definitely taken aback to come into the Council Chambers only to find four rather intimidating gentlemen, all in dark suits with short, cropped hair, standing "at the ready" in various strategic locations around the room. There was quite a buzz going on as I spoke with some of my friends who where there, wondering aloud who there were... I first checked to see if they were required security -- sometimes public facilities will require a private security company to be contracted in order to approve use of a facility. Nope.
So, I inquired of one of them (the big dude on the right in this very bad photo from my LG Chocolate cell phone) if they were here with any candidate. He told me that he was there with Curt Hagman, and said he was with some company (I don't remember the acronym, but it sounded very clandestine). Hmmm. I thought to myself -- I know that Curt, a really nice guy, is from neighboring San Bernardino County. Maybe they just do things differently. Then I remembered with Curt does for a living (which never came up at the debate, by the way).
I did take the opportunity to ask Curt if he knew who they were. He said, "They are my friends. They support my campaign."
You can read Jon's entire post here.
"Friends"? "Supporters"? Come on. Reminds me of that Jon Lovitz character on SNL - yeah, that's the ticket! Can't Hagman just come out and say, "They're my security detail. I'm a bail bondsman. Capiche?"? That's certainly rings more authentic than the cagily pretending they're actually campaign supporters -- unless dark suits and ear pieces are standard issue to Hagman campaign volunteers.
......so? I don't get the point of this post.
Posted by: Random GOPer | December 04, 2007 at 01:12 PM
The point is not being candid enough acknowledge the obvious.
Posted by: Jubal | December 04, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Jon, this is a CHEAP posting. I also had an opportunity to talk to one of them after the debate and he has clearly indicated to me that he was a long time school friend to Curt. He also said he came to support Curt voluntarily and Curt made him really proud during the debate. Jon, just admit that Curt has done a excellent job at the debate night and start trusting people with clean heart. Curt, win!
Posted by: jaime | December 04, 2007 at 02:08 PM
I am disappointed in ugly smear tactic employed by certain unqualified individuals. We need to have a fair and clean competition in AD60 Primary. Stick to the issues and support the candidate with strong republican vision.
Posted by: cra | December 04, 2007 at 02:18 PM
Jubal, who are you to say he wasn't "being candid enough [to] acknowledge the obvious"?
Do you know those men or their relationship with Curt? Do you know who they support in this race and why?
Just because they work for his security detail and he does bail bonds does not mean they are not necessarily his supporters OR that this is post-worthy. Next.
Posted by: Random GOPer | December 04, 2007 at 02:25 PM
Either Councilman Hagman's supporters are doing him a grave disservice by protesting this minor tweak way too vociferously or Curt has really thin skin.
If it's the latter, he will be eaten alive in Sacramento. If it's the former, let's hope they become more productive citizens real soon.
Posted by: One Who Knows | December 04, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Random GOPer:
No doubt Hagman's security detail could also be genuine supporters and have forged friendships with him.
But if I had a four man security detail with me, and someone asked who they were, a candid response wouldn't be "Oh, they're some guys I know."
That said, how many Assembly candidates do you know of who arrive at a candidate forum with a security detail?
I'd say that's blogworthy. But that's just me -- the guy who's been running this blog for the last three-and-a-half years.
And OWK is right -- if you guys can't take some ribbing over this...
Posted by: Jubal | December 04, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Why does Hagman roll with a posse like he's some kind of NBA star or dignitary? That's just weird. You're running for Assembly Curt, not the Presidency.
Posted by: Allan Bartlett | December 04, 2007 at 04:04 PM
I did not realize selling bail bonds and running ofr Assembly at the same time was so dangerous. Maybe he should run for OC sheriff!
Posted by: Flowerszzz | December 04, 2007 at 04:16 PM
I think this a perfectly appropriate blog. It provides some insight to the canidate. Come on a security detail with ear pieces. This guy has some fantasies.....like the muscle is the secrect service and he is the President. The black suits fit the Secret Service profile. He defintely wants people to think he is special. Voters should keep that in mind.
Posted by: | December 04, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Jubal, why don't you come out clean by saying that you are supporting Larry Dick? Playing dirty for Larry will only result in harming your candidate in long run. I am happy to hear that you have been running this blog for three and half years, you should be very proud of yourself. Do you feel better? I'll charge you later for my lip service.
Posted by: jaime | December 04, 2007 at 05:15 PM
One Who Knows, I strongly advise you to change your blog name. Unfotunately, readers can see that you severely lack the basic knowledge needed for being a civilized republican. Why don't you ask these questions directly to candidate Curt Hagman instead of keep guessing? Do you need his phone number? Change your name to "One Who Don't Know"
Posted by: jaime | December 04, 2007 at 05:33 PM
jaime- what up with all the hostility? It does seem odd to us lowly OC residents to show up to a debate with security, that from what I hear had to search the place, and find all the exits before Hagman was allowed to enter the building. He's not runnin' for president for cripes sakes. Please explain why he needs so much security?
Posted by: Flowerszzz | December 04, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Jaime:
"Come clean?" I've already informed readers, on at least a few AD60-related posts, that I'm supporting Larry. That's not exactly news, and I don't need to mention it in every single post.
Like Flowerszzz said -- what's with all the hostility? And the "playing dirty" accusation? I'm not the one who showed up a candidate forum with a security detail.
Posted by: Jubal | December 04, 2007 at 05:59 PM
My observations weren't really meant as a criticism of Curt Hagman. Rather, it was meant as an entertaining observation of something unusual.
These folks may, in fact, have been friends of Curts. That said, they all wore matching dark suits, had the same matching lapel pins on, and all sported the same crew cuts. They were seemingly "stationed" all around the room in key areas (such as by the door).
I guess I can add that at one point, one of them went and got the Hagman family and brought them to their reserved seats.
Again, to each their own. But we bloggers are pundits of a sort, and this was too irresistable to not mention!
Posted by: Jon Fleischman | December 04, 2007 at 06:17 PM
"they all wore matching dark suits, had the same matching lapel pins on, and all sported the same crew cuts"
Jon, the one and only time I saw you, you were dressed in almost exactly the same way: attending a Supervisor's meeting on behalf of your former boss - who shall (mercifully) remain nameless. For all I know you were packin' heat, too.
Posted by: redperegrine | December 04, 2007 at 08:23 PM
i am trying to understand this.
watch friends online
Posted by: watch friends online | March 17, 2009 at 06:53 PM