The race between incumbent San Diego Supervisor Bill Horn and the local media elite has really heated up again over the last week. In the last couple days local TV stations ‘broke’ the news that Bill Horn, an avocado rancher, had some of his employees living on the property in what sounded like a rather comfortable trailer. Well, I can honestly write now that every rumor I’ve ever heard from Horn detractors who’ve whispered for years ‘the story is going to break’ or ‘the paper is investigating’ has now been given more than its share of public light. When and if Horn pulls this off at least we’ll all be spared the endless rumors and speculation from the downtown types about when ‘the big story is gonna break.”
That being said, I haven’t seen much from the Thompson campaign, and I don’t think a string of what appear to be petty scandals is going to take down a conservative Republican San Diego Supervisor in a conservative Republican district. On the other hand, I have seen recent, well done Horn mailers. One issue in particular from those mailings is going to sting Thompson pretty hard: his push to remove the I-5 illegal immigration checkpoint. Illegal immigration reigns supreme in San Diego, even across party lines. My guess is while the race could be somewhat close right now, illegal immigration is the issue that is going to drive it home for Horn.
May 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
If Horn really wants to sour conservatives on Thompson, he can just let them know that Thompson was an appointee in the Bush Administration.
The Thompson can spend his time articulating about how he was honored to serve the President, but disagrees with him on:
* Guest Worker Programs
* No Child Left Behind
* Failure to veto profligate spending
* Etc., Etc.
May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Not sure if the Thompson campaign has the money or the desire to do so…but, I would think that some mailers sent out to voters could be worded in such a way as to convince many that Supervisor Horn has “illegal aliens” shacked up in disgusting conditions right on his own property.
My understanding is that the Horn camp is stating that the workers are legally authorized to work in the United States. However, I am not sure if there has been independent confirmation of these claims.
May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Duane,
“illegal immigration is the issue that is going to drive it home for Horn” WHAT??? I’m trying to understand you here, HORN has illegals living/working at his property in VC and you think the voters in North County will vote against Thompson on June 6th because of illegal immigration? North County has always hated those I-5/15 illegal immigration checkpoints. Thompson feels those resources should be spent at the BORDER not 50 miles North of it. If Horn is attacking Thompson on the checkpoint issue then I guess the papers are right about him being out of touch with his constituents.
How about a disclaimer about your past/present relationship with Horn and his camp?
May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
This isn’t the first time Bruce Thompson has run against
an incumbent conservative Republican County Supervisor.
He did the same thing in RIVERSIDE County back in the
1980s (and Lost).
Maybe someday he will actually run against a Democrat
incumbent !
May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
“Rather comfortable trailer?” While my buddies and I enjoy camping without shower or toilet facilities anywhere nearby for a week or so at a time, I don’t think any residence without toilet or shower could be described as “comfortable”.
Can’t say he doesn’t care about his employees having roofs over their heads, though. Some employees are given mansions in Carlsbad, and others are given toilet-less trailers.
May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
By the way, I think the idea that you need a permit at all is a bunch of crap, and I do actually believe that they chose to live there and I believe they are here legally. I just quibble with “comfortable” and find it amusing that he’s now been accused of providing housing that is too nice and too lousy in the same campaign.