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Strickland aide put on leave after fracas at fundraising event
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More from Local election newsAssemblywoman Audra Strickland placed a top aide on leave Thursday following his involvement earlier this week in altercations during a demonstration outside a fundraiser for her husband, state Senate candidate Tony Strickland.
Audra Strickland, R-Moorpark, announced she was placing Joel Angeles, her chief of staff, on "a one-month leave of absence without pay for what I view as a show of poor judgment," according to a written statement issued by her office.
On Tuesday, Angeles took the day off from his job as her chief of staff to join her husband's campaign supporters outside the Hyatt Westlake Plaza hotel in Thousand Oaks. Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared there Tuesday night to stump for Tony Strickland, who is locked in a critical battle for the 19th District Senate seat.
Tony Strickland's supporters gathered outside the hotel Tuesday afternoon to counter a planned protest by supporters of his Democratic rival, Hannah-Beth Jackson.
As Angeles attempted to block the second group of protesters from marching up the sidewalk toward his candidate's supporters, the verbal sparring between Angeles and the protesters escalated into shoving. Police were summoned and took a report of the incident but made no arrests.
Audra Strickland noted in her statement that "most accounts show that Hannah-Beth Jackson's protesters were the aggressors."
"Frankly, it is very difficult for me since I was not there," Strickland said in an interview Thursday morning. "I've talked to people who were there. I talked to people who were intimidated. They were concerned for their safety."
Couterprotesters claim Angeles was the one who instigated the physical contact.
Strickland's supporters had gathered at a driveway leading to the hotel. Jennifer McCarthy, a long-time Tony Strickland supporter, was among them with her daughter and nephew. After waving signs and flags for about an hour and a half, McCarthy saw knots of people with Obama '08 and anti-Strickland signs walk back and forth, she said.
A Tony Strickland supporter made a remark to an Obama supporter, who responded angrily, she said.
The counterprotesters ended up gathering in front of a gas station on the southeast corner of Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road. Angeles stood on the opposite corner holding an anti-Jackson sign.
Louis Pandolfi, the Simi Valley resident who organized the protest against Tony Strickland, described what transpired as "horrible." At the front of a group of about 50 people, including one dressed as a cigarette in protest of campaign contributions from tobacco companies, Pandolfi said he heard Angeles tell them not to step on the curb.
Angeles denied saying that.
"My primary concern throughout the whole thing was the safety of all involved," Angeles said in an interview Wednesday.
"My attempt was to talk to someone who was leading the group and say, Let's keep our groups separated 10 to 20 feet apart.' There was a decision on their part to just move ahead."
As the group moved past Angeles, he ran in front of them, in what appeared to be an effort to stop their movement. Pandolfi said he was pushed.
Jack Phillips, a Vietnam veteran, retired minister and head of the Camarillo Democratic Club was elbowed to the ground by Angeles, in front of news reporters. His left arm was injured.
"He was moving back and forth to block people, and he bumped me," Phillips, 67, said. "All of a sudden, I found myself on the ground looking for my hearing aid."
Phillips said when he got up, he confronted Angeles. The two traded heated insults with their faces inches apart. Phillips said he put his finger into Angeles' chin.
Angeles said Phillips had "given me an upper cut to the chin."
Posted by jake425 on June 20, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Angeles needs to be fired, not suspended. He's an obvious hothead. I was out there. I watched the whole thing. Louis Pandolfi's account of Angeles' aggression is 100 percent accurate.
Posted by Tom_Johnston on June 20, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whatever else happened it's pretty clear that the political careers of boy and girl Strickland are intertwined.
I'd wager that girl Strickland is a stand-in for boy Strickland. The boy Strickland seems to be the real political animal of the duo, and seems to be fearful of not only being out of public life, but given dubious claims of being some environmental exec...being gainfully employed in the private sector.
The cross-pollination of staff sure points in that direction.
Posted by fullosseousflap on June 20, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
More photos of Angeles and the protest here:
http://flapsblog.com/2008/06/20/audra...
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To have this person get a month off is a start.
To bad the police did not have some people doing the assults checked for having consumed to much to be in a public place.
Posted by del on June 20, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Cross-pollination" or inbred?
Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 20, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Both sides are a bunch of fools. In today's political environment who would want to work as an "aide" to these power hungry politicians?
And protestors?! Get a life, get a job! Just vote the fools out. We need tax revenue so go to work!
Posted by jake425 on June 20, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, indeed, Tom, boy and girl Strickland are very much intertwined. I've done a little research:
In April 2001, Audra Strickland and Joel Angeles, previously Tony Strickland's campaign manager who then served as Audra Strickland's campaign manager, incorporated Golden State Strategies, a consulting firm, of which they were each part-owner. Audra has since claimed to have sold her half interest of the company to Angeles, and the firm became 20/20 Innovation in April 2006.
Her husband has hired and paid the firm to do consulting for his campaign.
Golden State Strategies was founded by Audra Strickland and Tony Strickland's chief of staff and former campaign manager, Joel Angeles as a fundraising and political mail firm in 2001. According to Angeles, Audra Strickland "sold her interest in the firm" to Angeles in December 2002, by which time the firm was in receipt of an estimated $54,000 from Tony Strickland's campaign committee.
A Ventura County Star article from January 29, 2004, however, claimed that Audra Strickland said she sold her half-interest in the company in "early December," presumably a reference to December 2003. Audra Strickland's Statements
of Economic Interests, filed with the state relative to her candidacy for the 37th district, listed between $10,000 and $100,000 received from Golden State Strategies in 2003. Angeles claimed that the money was owed to Strickland as a result of her work with the company, and that the company was no longer in business as of a year after Audra Strickland left the firm. (Los Angeles Times, "Couple Paid Each Other
Campaign Funds," April 13, 2006; Ventura County Star, "Stricklands Accused," January 29, 2004)
Angeles was a friend of the Stricklands and had been paying rent to stay in their home since 2001. He was hired as Audra Strickland's chief of staff when she was elected to the 37th district. (Los Angeles Times, "Couple Paid Each Other Campaign Funds," April 13, 2006) In April 2006, Golden State Strategies, Inc. changed its name to 20/20 Innovation, Inc.
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It appears they pay each other, that may mean mr. month off witout pay will be paid anyway out of another fund by the Husbands donation monies ? Or is it from a company they all own together? Out of the rent money "was a friend of the Stricklands and had been paying rent to stay in their home since 2001." So this means he at least is off the tax payers payroll and onto his/hers and theirs??
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
VeritasLuxMea,
Besides the retired people, the young students, the working Mothers and other working stiffs there, who did you want to get a job. By the way, are you now on the website now on your employers dine? Besides its one of our rights to be there, all of us. :-)
Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 20, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MrHaines - Sure it's your right to be there. But if I had all the free time these protestors have I would rather be spending it with my family instead of chanting while holding signs in support of/or against politicians who don't know you from Adam and could care less if you fell off a cliff. Basically, I am disheartened by politics in general and vote for the lesser of the evils.
Posting a quick comment is much different than the time investment need to go "protest" something - so in that aspect I can still work :). I guess, in a weird way I'd admire you for the investment you make if you are a protestor, but for the most part, protestors in general seem to be on the fringe - too narrowly focused on a topic and not well rounded, while more mainstream people either work or spend time with the family. That's all :)
Posted by MakingWaves on June 20, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was there and witnessed everything.
Interesting how Audra's "press statement" directly contradicts what the Star's reporter and photographer saw. Then she is forced to retreat and say "it is difficult" to say because she wasn't there.
We have 10-12 witnesses (at least) who saw Angeles start it.
Ask Audra who called her opponent in the race, Ferial Masy, a "terrorist." Ferial was there holding a sign saying "Vote for Peace." Strickland supporters yelled at her.
The group was a mix of people from all over the county. Lots of Obama supporters there, too. And I met a very nice woman who works with anti-tobacco programs who brought her two little kids.
Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 20, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pushing and shoving………
That’s what politics has come down to – pushing and shoving. No debate of ideas. No cordial debates among the “supporters”. Just a bunch of animals pushing, shoving and name calling.
You know, the “supporters” on BOTH sides are ALREADY a bunch of angry fools. It’s not like they suddenly became angry when they showed up. They are angry 24/7, which is why these protests are such a turn-on to them
Aye, like I am going to take children to this “protest” to see adults make asses of themselves. Both sides need to grow up!
Posted by uknow1 on June 20, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...well, when civil discourse gets you nowhere, when FISA passes both houses, when families cannot afford to gas-up their vehicles to go to work, maybe it is time raise arms. Maybe it is time to take back our country and insist that the Constitution is adhered to. Maybe it is time to point-out the loyalists who care naught about what is right for the common good this country and only care about them and thiers. Maybe it is time for a violent revolution. For the sake of the policies of this web site, I am not advocating violence just asking questions, some questions that need to be asked.
To wit:
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience [has] shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce [the people] under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."
--Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence, 1776.
This is a "line-in-the-sand" issue.
Posted by gramagracie on June 20, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My opinon is that all people can do what they want! I will not protest, because non of it turns up peaceful... I have chosen to take action by getting petitions on issues I feel need to be addressed.
1. Birthright amendment (14th) needs to be changed. No more anchor babies, one parent must be a US Citizen.
2. Drill off shore and in Anwar...
3. Sanctions for employers who hire illegal aliens.
Our country is the Land of the Free and Home of the brave...I chose not to be an in your face person, but I do have strong political views.
Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 20, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
uknow1 -
I feel your passion. If only we had a candidate who would put the constitution first - before politics! Strickland or Hanna Beth? Nay! Obama or McCain? Nay!
I love the quotes of the Founding Fathers. Thanks.
"Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security." - Ben Franklin
Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 20, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gramagracie - tell me where I can sign your petitions!
Posted by FedUp on June 20, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"gramagracie - tell me where I can sign your petitions!"
DITTO!!
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was there saw,heard, witnessed and got bumped around and am sorry to see the bending of the stories as they are.
Sometimes it is better to not dwell on things and move on to bigger and better things.
We can always sit around trying to seperate the fly crap from the pepper. Besides regardless of what happened to Joel, he is still going to be paid by the groups other funding conduits.
Posted by uknow1 on June 20, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This country has been built on the backs of immigrants; legal and illegal, including my family and most likely yours...
On immigration:
Today, Human Rights Watch (an international interest group that promotes human rights) released a statement in which it said that since Congress’s passage of a tough immigration law in 1996, around 1.6 million children and spouses have been separated from loved ones who were forced to leave the United States because they had arrived here illegally. In recent years, immigration has been a hotly debated issue. Some say that the United States should uphold its tradition as a “melting pot” where immigrants from all nations are welcome. Others argue that there are already too many people in the United States and that immigration should be tightly regulated.
In general, Thomas Jefferson was an outspoken advocate of immigration, believing that the right to move from one country to another is granted by nature, not by human laws. He wrote to Albert Gallatin in 1806:
“I hold the right of expatriation to be inherent in every man by the laws of nature, and incapable of being rightfully taken from him even by the united will of every other person in the nation. If the laws have provided no particular mode by which the right of expatriation may be exercised, the individual may do it by any effectual and unequivocal act or declaration.”
It would be interesting to find out how Jefferson would view immigration in our modern-day society. Would he continue to support immigration as a natural right, or would he make a distinction between legal and illegal immigration?
The truth is out there...
Posted by uknow1 on June 20, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On ANWR
ANWAR would give us enough total oil for about 30-40-days based on current energy consumption...
Effect of ANWR Oil on Gas Prices
Oil from the ANWR Coastal Plain would potentially supply 5% of US oil demands annually. This relatively small percent of oil would have a correspondingly small effect on world wide oil prices. The US Department of Energy estimates that oil from ANWR could reduce the price of oil by thirty to fifty cents a barrel. Currently oil prices are hovering close to the $120 a barrel mark, so the effect of ANWR oil on prices at the gas pump would be scarcely noticed by consumers.
Oil companies already have large tracts of land in the U.S. from which to produce oil from, however, they sit on it instead of taking it out of the ground so that they limit supply and keep prices high... As a California native I do not want to have oil platforms up and down the coast. Excuse me for being a sentimentalist but I like unobstructed sunsets...not to mention the real risk of environmental disasters (oil spills) and air pollution from having them offshore. Have you noticed how polluted the air is above the Oxnard Plain in the last few days, or the stench of sulphur in the air? Where do you think it comes from? It comes from the fourteen oil rigs offshore. Can you imagine what it would be like with 40 more...or 400 more?
Again, I say do some independent research of your own. The answers are available on the Internet...not TV or hate radio, and seldom in the newspaper though the Star is doing a better job as of late.
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is one thing to be here and cherrish citizenship and our many traditions, yet, another to be here to run us into the ground and overthrow us.
Posted by shattner on June 20, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sending protestors to your opponents campaign events is a nasty tactic that is a favorite of the Democrats and their union henchmen.
Anyone who intentionally creates a confrontation like this one should be ashamed of themselves for lowering the level of civility in our political system. You'll notice this tactic is never used by Republican's who actually beleive in discussing the issues rather than brutishly mussling their point across.
These Democrats should be very ashamed of their actions. They got exactly what they were looking for, and Teresa Rochester, you are part of the problem. You wrote a story you knew would sell papers, even thought you know full well that you are encouraging these types of incidents in the future. You gave the Dems exactly what they wanted, a story that makes Republicans look like thugs, even though the entire incident was manufactured by the Dems. Shame on you.
Posted by KatieTeague on June 20, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
shattner - I am a Republican and Joel Angeles should be fired. He should have never been there.
Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are basic rights - Democrat or Republican. Your post is out of line.
Unfortunately, the thugs in this incident are wearing Red. Don't make the situation worse by trying to blame it on the reporter or on Dems.
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
shattner,
You are right and that person has through a smoke and mirrors trick been given a month off.
I was there to just protest the money and smoking issue, was asked by a local Republican if I would like to go seeing someone in my family was about to expire from smoking.
So what is your your point.
Posted by Poppa on June 20, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems clear that the Strickland's sent their goon Angeles out to try and stop these people from exercising their free speech as guaranteed under the Constitution. Audra Strickland took an oath to uphold the Constitution, she should now resign and Angeles should be fired. We have had enough of the Strickland's, we should do them a favor and send them both packing this November, that way they will have to get real jobs and hopefully they will become respectable citizens.
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
KatieTeague,
I truly agree with you on the given rights of all that were there, however the one wearing the brown checkered shirt was only one of thugs and as I stated before has been given a month off. The others were in Blazers and Business atire.
Posted by frank14 on June 20, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Democrats don't believe in freedom of speech. Why were you Ocarter supporters even there? Just to cause trouble. Talk about meaningless lives!
Posted by MrHaines on June 20, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Frank14,
You sure you have that right, did you mean Hayden supporters?
Posted by SoCalArmyBrat on June 20, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gramagracie,
Consider me another signature on your petition!
It never astounds me that groups of "professional protesters" are quick to mobilize for these events. I'm curious as to how all these people are able to earn a living in the modern economic precariousness by being present at every single event that occurs. Frankly, I'm wondering if the "professional protesters" aren't subsidized by a third-party organization who assists them in the art of instigation and trouble-making, and then hands them a script of what to say after such incidents occur. The same words were said after the port strikes in Northern California, and also during the anti-G8 summit held in Frisco back in '04. The words expressed by the "victims" nearly match. Perhaps they all share the same attorneys.
Now that would be a story for the Star to investigate. However, I don't see that happening, because no literary or journalistic awards would come from such a story.
Posted by VeritasLuxMea on June 20, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SoCalArmyBrat - I have wondered that myself. I think that "student protestors" are spoiled rich kids who attend these events on daddy's dime (and daddy thinks they are in class!). In college, I noticed the richer the student's parents, the dingier the student dressed and the more "anti-rich" and liberal he/she was. They had no concept of earning a paycheck.
Posted by Tom_Johnston on June 20, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"SoCalArmyBrat" and "Veritas":
I don't doubt that there are folks who live to protest. Whether they represent some insidious "fifth column" or just have time on their hands to rally to causes I don't know.
For sure, there is a paid group of political professionals at work in a little appreciated way, that being the "paid petitioner". A pet peeve of mine.
"Veritas"...we've sparred some, but I have to tell you I often feel as you do, with a different slant.
Ron Paul was the only Presidential candidate I gave money too....my up to now, dirty little secret! LOL!
Posted by cafefanatik on June 20, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jack Phillips is my father...
I am all the way over here in Colorado.. So I am only reading about this second hand and I haven't heard all the details about what went on at the rally/demonstration..
It is a sad commentary on today's society that doesn't allow "the people" their right to their own opinion..
Our military troops are defending our country and our very rights to freedom of speech..
I can't form an opinion on this situation considering I was not involved or at the actual scene of the incident..but..
I will say that it takes a hell of a lot to set my dad off enough to physically hurt another..
So I am questioning the validity of what was reported that Angeles had stated about his physical harm.
Posted by jake425 on June 21, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey cafefanatik, your dad did nothing but poke his finger at the guy after being knocked flat. I watched the whole thing. He told our group if we moved onto the sidewalk he'd get physical and he did.
Angeles is covering his rear. He knows he's in trouble.
But what's a few more lies and distortions with this bunch?
Posted by aega7 on June 21, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You need to know Mr. Angeles, I do not believe that he was the one that started this mess. People knows who he is, target him and they are taking advantage of his position.
The same article says...1) Angeles said.."Let's keep our groups separated 10 to 20 feet apart." 2)"Phillips said he put his finger into Angeles' chin.", so what is wrong with Mr. Angeles to defend himself?
Let me give you an idea, meet with Mr. Angeles you will truly know a good man.!
Regarding of his interest in Golden State Strategies, so what? What is wrong with that? As far as I know this is capitalism even politician can create corporations to make some money, ask OBAMA for the millions of dollars he is getting for the book that he wrote, and this is regardless of his “close friends”, “spiritual friends” and “close board members” that he had.
People have the right to participate on any public act, yet the fact that the DEM's can't do it without fighting, is a serious concern. It is cheap to talk about meeting with our enemies and dictators around the world, and not having the same respect for others, from a different political view, here at home.
Mrs. Strickland, please, get Mr. Angels back to work NOW!
Posted by MrHaines on June 21, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
aega7,
Your Mr. Angeles has some difficulties come his way which he started.
I was there saw,heard,witnessed and got bumped around and am sorry to see the bending of the stories as they are.
The retired minister did not attack anyone he was attacked, elbowed to the ground.
Posted by goldeneye on June 21, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Strickland is one of these fat cats permanently attached to the governmet teet. He just runs for office over and over and over and over and over and over again. He and his wife are empty suits. He should start off learning how to work a real job with a paper route and work his way up.
Posted by r.gyurkovitz on June 21, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
uknow1,
I'm with you. There's not a dime's worth of difference between the two parties. One wants to drive the middle class into the ground by funneling money forcibly taken from them into the hands of well connected businesses and their regulatory agencies (look up regulatory capture) while the other wants to accomplish the same end by siphoning our wages into the pockets of government bureaucrats who don't know enough about the businesses they are regulating to be captured.
Posted by we_r_right on June 21, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was there with local GOPers to welcome Mitt Romney. We had flags and welcome signs. Little Republican kids were there waving at cars. It was all very happy and peaceful for 45 minutes until a group of about 20 DEMs showed up and tried to stand between our groups. They walked up and down the narrow 40" sidewalk, touching us and making remarks and trying to start a fight. Photographers were all over, a few minutes before. I smelled a set up and I moved away up to the grass where we had a tripod. I saw the DEMS with Obama signs, including Ferial Masry with a peace sign, standing in among our people, crowding out the little children. The police came and we quietly watched the interview. Ferial looked like a deer in the headlights. She was very uncomfortable. The organizers came and spoke with the police. The GOPers left about 15 minutes after the police came and gathered at the front grass of the hotel. Then, as planned, we were invited to come in and listen to the speeches. Some of us got to sit inside at tables because a few seats were free. The others in the welcome group were fed in the lobby and listened from the back.
I think Joel was trying to keep the litle kids from getting run over by Butt Man and the old hippies with Obama signs. He asked the DEMS to keep their group apart. There was at least 50 yards of empty sidewalk where they could have stood, away from us. I didn't see the initial confrontation which apparently happened soemtime around 5 and 5:15-- a little before I got there. The only time I saw the "counter" signs against Hannah Beth come out was when the DEMS came to harrass the Welcome Committee.
Posted by MakingWaves on June 21, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, we_r_right, but you are wrong. I saw the anti-Hannah Beth signs waved by your people at about 5:15 p.m., 45 minutes before the anti-tobacco money group even arrived. We have photos of them.
There were no little kids where the anti-tobacco money group wanted to stand. There was a wide open stretch of sidewalk just beyond where Angeles and his two guys were standing with their anti-Hannah-Beth signs.
The anti-tobacco money group was led by a Republican from Simi Valley. There were little kids in their group, too.
Which one of your charming group called Ferial a "terrorist"?
You admit you did not see the confrontation. I did. It happened at 6 p.m. Angeles was the clear aggressor. The newspaper reported this.
Stop with the spin. Audra has admitted her chief of staff made a terrible error in judgment.
Posted by MrHaines on June 21, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we_r_right,
You must have been one of those others that were blocking my ADA path to the hotel smelling of cutty shark or a 7/11 brand of port.
Those young adults did not cause any trouble to anyone. The young man in the Butt man suit even recieved great reviews on his outfit front the Strickland and Romney folks which came out to help contain Mr. Angeles antics.
Posted by we_r_right on June 22, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bottom line is this: There was a Welcome Romney group trying to be happy and patriotic on the narrow sidewalk near the freeway onramp. Our event was marred by people carrying Obama signs who made rude remarks and elbowed their way between our people at the top of the hill. Do you crash wedding parties, too? What went on at the bottom of the hill is in dispute.
We were trying to enjoy our evening with friends and family, and protesters came to spoil our fun. That's typical. Photographers were all over Joel before the cops came. It was a set up. He was trying to keep the groups separated to avoid trouble, but the DEMS refused to cooperate. Typical.
I don't smoke--Obama does. Tell your old hippy friends to go to Obama's church in Chicago and protest his smoking there and then well see how their bad manners are received in that corrupt town.
Posted by bleshon on June 23, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes Obama did smoke prior to running for President but has since given it up. That was a personal choice of his with respect to his own health. It is one thing to smokeyour self than to take money from a corporation to influence legislation that affects that industry. You have to be pretty dense not to get that. The hypocrisy was Rommeny telling people inside the event that special interests need to be kept out of politics at a fund raiser paid for with tobacco money.
Posted by jake425 on June 26, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
we_r_right, your people were only out there because you were aware that a protest was being called. You were trying to counteract it. Otherwise, you would have been siting on your rears in air-conditioned comfort waiting for Romney to come.
Angeles is a hothead.
Posted by MrHaines on June 26, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yesterday a group of Republicans from one the unions went to Sacramento to drum up business for them and seen Aurthy with her Chief of Staff in her office.
So what gives is he off and out for the month or is this just another snow job.
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