I had the opportunity to sit down for lunch in Pasadena with a new face in California politics, Attorney General candidate Pierre Prosper.
I do need to point out that have not endorsed a candidate. I’m waiting for the results of the CRA Endorsing Convention and that I respect Prosper’s opponent Sen. Chuck Poochigian very much. But, I wouldn’t pass up this opportunity to see what Prosper was all about.
I won’t recount his entire bio. You can read it story of his family coming from Haiti (clearly a good move) and his rise from LA County Assistant District Attorney to War Crimes prosecutor and Ambassador at his website.
I did ask him about his role in the War on Terror and some of the controversial aspects of the Bush Administration policy. Prosper explained that the Bush Administration took steps based on "first Impressions". Meaning that this kind of war was never fought before, there was no precedent for it and that as advisors discussed it they dealt with it based on their "first Impressions" and that some things would have to change later.
Don’t know if things will change later, but here are my first impressions.
Prosper is a very capable candidate. He answered the questions I posed on illegal immigration very well. He wants to enforce the laws we have on the books, wants police departments to enforce them, etc… He understand the national security component have having porous borders.
Prosper isn’t a gun grabber. He obviously is tough on crime and has an impressive track record he can talk about, even if some of it is international. (It’s hard to be critical of a guy who prosecuted criminals for genocide by saying, " Oh ya that wasn’t in California.")
On social issues he was fine. I didn’t make him sign oaths in blood, but I don’t think there was much difference between him and Poochigian on those kinds of issues.
Ken Starr’s endorsement of Prosper doesn’t hurt with conservatives either.
He presents a case that he would be a better candidate because he can reach out to black churches and that his International experience in Africa can bring attention GOP candidates can’t get in those areas. He is fluent in Spanish.
All fine.
He acknowledges he is being beaten in fundraising and name identification, but believes he can raise the millions necessary.
My first impression is that if he can raise the cash, he will make this GOP primary very competitive. Poochigian shouldn’t take the nomination for granted, because Prosper, like any good prosecutor, makes a great case for himself.