This past weekend it was reported that former Congressman, Ambassador and Assemblyman Wayne Grisham passed away at age 88. Grisham represent various southeast cities in his elected capacities over his long career.
My first paid political job was for Wayne Grisham. Back in ancient history as a soon to be graduating UCLA student, I went to the schools job bank and saw a list for “community representative’ at Grisham’s Assembly Office. This was after towards the end of his career. He had been defeated for Congress in a primary with David Dreier and return from Kenya to win to a place in the assembly.
I put together a resume an applied. I spent hours on the resume and turns out I had the perfect qualifications for the job. I had legs. The job entailed going door to door on weekends and asking a couple questions and bringing the answers back so they could be entered into the computer. Dan Kramer was the Chief of staff and Deanna Moore ran the program.
Of course, my phone is more powerful than those computers were and getting there was a pain, there was no 105 freeway. I did see all the nice areas Downey had to offer.
I also learned the importance of targeting. That was what the job was all about. I also learned a few more things from the staff about internal GOP politics with YR fights that were going on. I am glad YR’s don’t fight anymore. I know as a College Republicans we hardly fought.
The targeting and identification lesson was a big one.
The funeral is Friday.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Assemblyman Grisham is a historic footnote because his race against Cecil Green wss the first election where a candidate used giveaways (doughnuts) to get voters to turn out to vote. Jerry Seedborg was a consultant for Green and came up with the idea which has been a staple of special elections ever since.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Mr. Tom Kaptain, Thank you for your memories of this Honorable Man!
Rep. Grisham was a loyal and longtime friend to those of us in Cal-YAF,
always encouraging young men & women to enter the world of politics.
Wayne Grisham also served our country well in WWII as a member of
the U.S. Army Air Corps. Rest in Peace to a nice man and true Patriot.
[It’s worth noting he was wildly popular in his home congressional district,
re-elected with 71% in 1980. Then his district was Gerry-mandered into
non-existence in 1981 with the help of then-Gov. Jerry Brown. Only THAT
anti-democratic scheme ended his fine Congressional career. That is also
another reason to be glad the same Gov. Brown will have Nothing to do
with this year’s congressional redistricting.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Assemblyman Grisham is a historic footnote because his race against Cecil Green wss the first election where a candidate used giveaways (doughnuts) to get voters to turn out to vote. Jerry Seedborg was a consultant for Green and came up with the idea which has been a staple of special elections ever since.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Mr. Tom Kaptain, Thank you for your memories of this Honorable Man!
Rep. Grisham was a loyal and longtime friend to those of us in Cal-YAF,
always encouraging young men & women to enter the world of politics.
Wayne Grisham also served our country well in WWII as a member of
the U.S. Army Air Corps. Rest in Peace to a nice man and true Patriot.
[It’s worth noting he was wildly popular in his home congressional district,
re-elected with 71% in 1980. Then his district was Gerry-mandered into
non-existence in 1981 with the help of then-Gov. Jerry Brown. Only THAT
anti-democratic scheme ended his fine Congressional career. That is also
another reason to be glad the same Gov. Brown will have Nothing to do
with this year’s congressional redistricting.