I returned from vacation (and post election hibernation) this week to the exciting news that left wing Assemblyman Juan Arambula (D), Fresno, will not be running for re-election in 2008. This is staggeringly good news for the Central Valley and the State of California.
Now, believe me, my opinion here is quite contrary to those at the Fresno Bee and in the "Republican" business community. Arambula, with his mild demeanor, was regularly described as a moderate Democrat when in fact, on most economic or social issues, his record was indistinguishable from any Bay Area Assemblymember. So persuasive was Juan that many in the "business" community supported him to a greater extent than their support for traditional, pro-business legislators.
Assemblyman Arambula most recently had his ears pinned back by the Fresno Teachers Association, which ran a slate of four candidates for Fresno Unified School Board against the Arambula (and "Republican") backed "Voices for Excellence" committee. Arambula’s group lost every race.
A small sample of his record in the Assembly is located here, at the California Chamber of Commerce’s 2006 "job killer" bill vote scorecard. Astoundingly, Arambula voted for over 80% of the "job killer" legislation proposed in 2006. For this, he gets the label "courageous" and "warrior for the Valley" from Fresno’s Republican Mayor, Alan Autry.
I’ve got nothing personal against Juan Arambula. I have more ill will against "Republicans" that get led around by the nose by an elected representative that votes against conservative economic and social interests over 80% of the time. For our side, Arambula’s departure should be celebrated!
Already, Fresno City Councilman Henry T. Perea has announced his intention to succeed Arambula. While the seat is a very likely hold for the Democrats, I would advise Perea, if he is the presumptive favorite to win the seat, to legislate more in the mold of Democrat Jim Costa rather than the left wing nonsense we’ve seen from Arambula over the years. We live and work in the Central Valley, not Marin County. Can we get a Democrat anywhere around here to truly pursue moderate policies?
January 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
With all due respect, you really ought to check on Mr. Arambula’s voting record. It is, in fact, moderate. The stale rhetoric recycled from the Willie Brown era doesn’t reflect the facts.
January 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Mr. Maviglio: If your definition of “moderate” is “to the right of Sheila Kuehl,” then yes, Juan Arambula is a moderate. If your definition of “moderate” is “milquetoast” then yes, Juan Arambula is a moderate. If, however, you define moderate like 90% of the American electorate, then no, Juan Arambula is NOT a “moderate.”
Mike: Here is why even the genuinely moderate Republican is called a “conservative” by the mainstream media and Fox is considered the “Conservative network” by liberals, but the mainstream media is considered “balanced and objective.” Their definitions are skewed to the Left. To them, 60 degrees left of center is “moderate,” and it probably is to you if you personally believe socialism is “mainstream.”
January 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Mr. Maviglio – our Republican Governor isn’t even a moderate. Arambula’s record is that of a command and control leftist. He’s got a moderate temperment, and is a nice guy. That’s about it.
January 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Thanks for defining “moderate” for me! Now I know why California Republicans are a permanent minority!
January 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Steve,
I don’t if we can save the people from their own stupidity. But when we are bankrupt, AGAIN, maybe they will quit rewarding those that put us in these situations. A true moderate would never run deficits, borrow us into oblivion, and propose insuring 6 million people on top of it all. Stupendous!