These are quite heady days if you're a blogger in the SCV who watches with a mix of bemusement and curiousity the local Republican political scene.
The latest in this sordid family dramady comes not from Patricia McKeon herself, but her campaign manager, who, really, even out here in the sticks, should know better than this:
Foot. Meet mouth.
Already people are outraged on Facebook and have taken to calling Patricia McKeon "No Show Patty." Just minutes ago, my Gmail inbox (a treasure trove of local political intrigue and angst), lit up with an ALERT from the local Tea Party Patriots group in reaction to Mr. Justin's statement that SCVers aren't real voters:
Ouch! One of either two things will happen: 1) Look for Justin to walk this statement back or 2)perhaps they really are abandoning the SCV and are going to focus solely on Simi Valley.
The problem with the latter is that I've heard voters in Simi Valley are taking that whole "Name recognition" thing that the McKeons are banking on to a whole other level not anticipated by Team McKeon: rumor is Simi voters are confusing Paul Strickland with Tony Strickland, and he may be ahead in polling there. If true, what delicious irony; Patricia McKeon jumps into the Assembly race with a massive name recognition advantage except in Simi, where their low-information voters evidently think the Strickland they know (Tony, who's running for Congress in a new Simi-less Ventura district) is running for State Assembly. I've heard our Strickland (Paul, elected board member Hart District) is leading Patricia McKeon in the polls there! (Sidenote: Anyone care to speculate what Simi voters think of the news that Strickland has endorsed McKeon?!?!)
That lovely German word Schadenfreude applies here.
Speaking of Tony Strickland endorsing Patricia McKeon: with all the McKeon and City Council drama lately, it's easy to forget how the 6'4" giant betrayed his friend, mentor and colleague Scott Wilk last week. I've come up with the perfect metaphor:
In case you don't get the parallels, mentor Wilk is the wise, learned Obi Wan and young padawan Tony Strickland is the petulant, whiny Anakin. Just look at them, they used to battle Democrats and the Dark Side together!
"No Show Patty" and the Betrayal of Obi Wan
The latest in this sordid family dramady comes not from Patricia McKeon herself, but her campaign manager, who, really, even out here in the sticks, should know better than this:
Assembly candidate Patricia McKeon is not likely to speak at any more public forums in the Santa Clarita Valley, her campaign spokesman said Tuesday.
I think were done with public forums, Joe Justin said before a forum scheduled Tuesday evening by the League of Women Voters and the 34th District Parent-Teacher Association.
Her campaign strategy hinges now on meeting voters directly, he said.
There are no undecided voters in this area, Justin said, referring to the Santa Clarita Valley. Were now going to be talking to real voters.
We may do a forum in Simi Valley, Justin said.
Foot. Meet mouth.
Already people are outraged on Facebook and have taken to calling Patricia McKeon "No Show Patty." Just minutes ago, my Gmail inbox (a treasure trove of local political intrigue and angst), lit up with an ALERT from the local Tea Party Patriots group in reaction to Mr. Justin's statement that SCVers aren't real voters:
Alert - Patricia McKeon Thinks YOU are NOT a "REAL VOTER"
Patriots,
As we continue in our efforts to promote candidate forums and encourage voters educate themselves so they cast informed votes, one local candidate has released a statement to the Signal that they will not attend any further SCV forums because they will be talking to "real voters" Given the unprecedented level of arrogance, we felt it appropriate to bring the story to your attention.
We have responded with a statement to her camp,which says "Although you feel the SCV voters are not REAL voters, we assure you we will do receive REAL ballots and they start arriving in the mail very soon."
Ouch! One of either two things will happen: 1) Look for Justin to walk this statement back or 2)perhaps they really are abandoning the SCV and are going to focus solely on Simi Valley.
The problem with the latter is that I've heard voters in Simi Valley are taking that whole "Name recognition" thing that the McKeons are banking on to a whole other level not anticipated by Team McKeon: rumor is Simi voters are confusing Paul Strickland with Tony Strickland, and he may be ahead in polling there. If true, what delicious irony; Patricia McKeon jumps into the Assembly race with a massive name recognition advantage except in Simi, where their low-information voters evidently think the Strickland they know (Tony, who's running for Congress in a new Simi-less Ventura district) is running for State Assembly. I've heard our Strickland (Paul, elected board member Hart District) is leading Patricia McKeon in the polls there! (Sidenote: Anyone care to speculate what Simi voters think of the news that Strickland has endorsed McKeon?!?!)
That lovely German word Schadenfreude applies here.
Speaking of Tony Strickland endorsing Patricia McKeon: with all the McKeon and City Council drama lately, it's easy to forget how the 6'4" giant betrayed his friend, mentor and colleague Scott Wilk last week. I've come up with the perfect metaphor:
In case you don't get the parallels, mentor Wilk is the wise, learned Obi Wan and young padawan Tony Strickland is the petulant, whiny Anakin. Just look at them, they used to battle Democrats and the Dark Side together!