voiceofsandiego.org: Slop... Aguirre Rebuked

I heard last night that the San Diego Democratic Club endorsed Scott Peters for city attorney. That's a big political defeat for incumbent Mike Aguirre.

The Democratic Club is hardly part of whatever circle of evil Aguirre believes is trying to destroy him. In fact, all three Democrats in the race, Aguirre, Peters and Amy Lepine, showed up hoping for the Club's endorsement. The Democratic Club spawned Stephen Whitburn's candidacy for District 3 -- and Whitburn's candidacy is based on this Aguirre-like stance of fighting for people against the so-called establishment and developers. The point is, the Democratic Club is a natural constituency for Aguirre -- one with which an incumbent like him shouldn't have had much trouble.

It gets back to a central point about this horse race: Aguirre barely won in 2004. We all remember those tense days after the election when his lead kept shrinking as the registrar counted ballots.

And he had so many endorsements and groups supporting him then: He had people in the building and real estate industry. He had unions. I vividly remember Aguirre standing with Ron Saathoff, the president of the firefighters union, and Bill Farrar, the then-president of the Police Officers Association. He had business people, and of course, the Union-Tribune. He was a charismatic campaigner and effective debater. Many who were skeptical of him because of his litigious and fiery past were won over in meetings with him.

To say those groups aren't with Aguirre now is a bit of an understatement.

They've all peeled off. The Labor Council is actively working against Aguirre to get Scott Peters elected, despite the fact that Peters wasn't always a reliable labor vote on things like the living wage.

A core group of supporters for Aguirre exists in environmentalists and neighborhood activists. He'll really need them to create some waves in coming months to get him another four years.

-- SCOTT LEWIS

Hey look...the emperor has no clothes. Aguirre's rein of terror is over!!

Posted by Jim | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 8:40 am

Scott: Aguirre has become "persona non grata" to many people in the GLBT community. Do some digging and call around to some of the leaders in the community, and you will find out why...

Posted by Robert E. Lee | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 8:54 am

I suspect Robert E. Lee is correct. Although Mike was a vigorous advocate of filing an amicus brief on behalf of marriage rights, Mike's sometimes impolitic style combined with industriousness on the part of Fred Sainz, Robert Gleason and a dash of fear in the heart of Toni Atkins (and her mentor Christine Kehoe) probably played a big role in alienating the GLBT community. Indeed you can't fault the community for protecting one of its own. But turning that alienation/fear into support for Scott Peters? Yikes. Its one thing to elect someone who turns out to be incompetent and entirely immune to the concept of accountability, but quite another to elect one who has proven that he is challenged and completely irresponsible. In the end I think this may do as much damage to the SD Demo Club as to Mike. Especially if Scott wins.

Posted by jorgeelegato | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 9:30 am

Yikes! What will BBH do and say next?

Posted by Just Wondering | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 11:04 am

The Democratic Club is hardly part of whatever circle of evil Aguirre believes is trying to destroy him."...... The Democratic party today has become nothing more than an extension and "rubber stamp" of the public employee unions-it is that simple. If I were Mike, which I am not, but if I were, I would not lose a seconds sleep over this event. ANYONE that would endorse a persom like Scott "I Want To Raise FD Pensions" Peters is a nut job in my book. Peters, and his like, are the ones that have caused the pension crisis and meltdown. Anyone that would vote for or endorse an idiot like Peters has no business in selecting a CA.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 11:06 am

TO: jorgeelegato. Hey, not to worry. Scott Peters will be a fine choice for City Attorney. The SD Democratic Club was well advised to endorse him. He is already developing a new and good record for taking action on behalf of the the people of SD and correcting the pension and budget mess. It is quickly heading to becoming past history. We will get there all the faster once we are rid of the current City Attorney. Thank goodness the GLBT community is in the right place now about the candidates. SLOP was right on point with this article about the endorsement. It is nice to see his eyes opening more widely too.

Posted by JJ | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 11:11 am

I hope this signals the end of Mike Aguirre's political career in San Diego. The very people who believed in him, worked hard, and made the crucial difference in his 2004 razor thin victory, are so fed up with his antics that they have abandoned him. Aside from the people who work for him, he is having a hard time raising campaign funds. I suppose he will have to tap into his millions if he wants to continue to be the "peoples attorney".

Posted by Jamann | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 11:22 am

I think Peters, with his demonstrated incompetence, as city councilman, will be a hard sell.

Posted by Steve K | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 11:58 am

Removing the Aguirre 'bottleneck' will be the single and most important event toward solving the City's problems. With Aguirre out the City will return to the bond market and begin to repair infrastructure which will lead to jobs and a stronger tax base. Money going toward loosing litigation will become available for public services. Most importantly the City Council will unite in moving things forward rather than protecting or defending themselves against Aguirre's allegations. Mr. Peters will make a fine City Attorney, but even if it was Mickey Mouse it would be an improvement over Aguirre.

Posted by Dimples | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 12:15 pm

This was a hard choice for the San Diego Democratic Club. Mike Aguirre has been a consistent and vocal supporter of LGBT rights. But as Lee Burdick said (or maybe it was Dan Coffey?), "If a corporation was trying to do this [villify workers and renig on their pensions] we'd be screaming bloody murder!" Why did Aguirre have to pick pensions as one of his battles? *sigh*

Posted by Jonathan | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 12:22 pm

I still think the power of incumbancy will pull Aguirre into the general election, but just barely. I predict by less than 5 points will he slide into the number two spot in the primary. The problem for Aguirre is that he'll get virtually all the votes he's going to get in the primary, and barely gain anything in the general election (barring a meltdown by Goldsmith.) Mainschein has the bucks and might squeeze out Aguirre. But even with the Dem and union endorsements, I don't see Peters really being able to make a run for it. He'll take some votes away from Aguirre at best. BTW - anyone else notice how quiet Aguirre's been, except for this extremely safe story about SDG&E? Still, I doubt people's memory will soon forget the real Mike Aguirre come election time.

Posted by Rock On | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 1:06 pm

BBH calling Scott Peters a "nut job" and an "idiot" and your wierd fascination with his bath water lead me to believe that your picnic is short a sandwich or two. Remember that hate says more about the hater than the hated.

Posted by Joe in PTL | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 1:07 pm

BBH: "If I were Mike, which I am not, but if I were, I would not lose a seconds sleep over this event." Although this is one of those "he doth protest too much" statements, I still don't think Billy Bob is Aguirre. Heck, I'm convinced he's never met the guy, let alone practice law with him - which explains much. But it was an interesting thing to say. Hmmmmmmm.

Posted by Rock On | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 1:15 pm

I don't think it was too tough a decision for the Democratic Club. Scott Peters killed Aguirre in votes. I believe it was 47 to 17 or something. I think it is another exmaple of a group of people saying no to the bully, and affirming that Peters has been a progressive.

Posted by Not so close | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 1:48 pm

I was at the SDDC meeting last night where labor opposition croaked Aguirre. There was a group of City emplyees with anti-Aguirre signs out front and a significant labor presence at the meeting. Aside from the pension issue, the City Attorney's principles and positions pretty much coincide with the majority of club members. Enough members were apparently able to forgive Peters' vote in favor of the Boy Scout lease in 2001 (Peters admitted it was a mistake that he had learned from, like his pension vote) and his vote against the living wage. Peters' verbal support of the workers' pension benefits seemed to carry the day. It would be nice to see a politician (other than Donna) gutsie enough to tell us that more taxes are necessary to protect workers' rights, and the rest of the shambles that SD is becoming. Well, Mr. Peters?

Posted by clp | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 2:31 pm

But the city is on the hook for Scott Peters' legal fees to the tune of more than $600,000. Doesn't that suggest that endorsing him is akin to endorsing the fox as chicken-coop-watcher

Posted by goodlead | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 2:53 pm

Oh Lord, has what passes for the Democratic Club Completely lost its mind? Peter is a joke; but a really bad one. He must have made some hefty promises...but remember folks, Peters helped Raise our debt...not to mention turning a 795k audit into a 20 million dollar one. If Peters is elected, then San Diego Deserves him for their deliberate stupidity. Can't say we weren't warned. It's in the record books, dummies.

Posted by Think! | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 4:12 pm

Scott " I Want To Raise All Public Employee Pensions And BK San Diego" Peters makes empty suits look like rocket scientists. BTW Rock, I am not Aguiree-I have stated that so many times here now my head spins from repeating it. So, put that to rest, you know that and so do I. Funny thing is the UT also thinks I am Aguirre, and Alex Roth banned my UT posting handle. Mike is the "Peoples Champion" and he is going to crush all wannabe challengers.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 4:46 pm

The Abominable City Attorney, or Squatsatch" as the Indians call him. The sightings will continue to dwindle. Some enterprising soul should set up a resume booth outside of Civic Center Plaza.

Posted by Jim Carter | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 6:57 pm

@clp 16: I was at the meeting, too, and at the meeting in January where the SDDC decided to postpone the endorsement consideration until March. The same labor demonstrators were at the January meeting, and Peters wasn't in the race then. Aguirre was feistier in January, but also incredibly condescending, and my sense of that meeting was that he wouldn't have come close to getting endorsed. At both meetings he was caught telling outright lies - statements that are verifiably false. Oh, and he might have helped himself Thursday if he'd stuck around long enough to vote for himself in the second round of balloting.

Posted by Jared Bascomb | reply to this comment
March 28, 2008 7:55 pm

Scott "Million Gallon Man" Peters? Even ferret-head Jan or pretty boy Brian would be better qualified than the dork who trashed the pension because he was busy golfing with his buddies? Fortunately, when the "Million Gallon Man" looses the primary, there will be an opportunity to correct this endorsement.

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 6:01 am

If the Democratic Club was smart, they would have declined to endorse anyone, rather than back the corrupt Scott Peters. This certainly hurts their credibility.

Posted by Larry | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 7:05 am

Voting for Peters is a vote for business (corruption) as usual. Yes, things will run smoother, but will they be going in the right direction for the people of San Diego? No, it will be back to lining the pockets of power brokers and special interests. Aguirre has huge problems, but Peters is not a good choice either.

Posted by janet | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 8:35 am

So tell me JJ about this new record Scott is developing -- does it still include golf on Friday afternoons? You may rememember JJ that Scott told the Kroll investigators that he missed the problem with the Managers II pension proposal because he was golfing on Friday afternoons. (Of course that doesn't explain why when Diann Shipione pointed out the problems laterhe dismissed her as a nut.) P.S. I gather from other posts that Dan Coffey appeared and had an impact on the GLBT crowd? -- and the vote was 46-17? this is less consequential than anyone can imagine.

Posted by joregeelegato | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 8:47 am

Based on his miserable city council track record, Scott Peters is the last person we need in the city attorney's office. Having watched him vote repeatedly to violate state and federal laws while on the council, I don't see how he could enforce the same laws as city attorney. He'd have to indict himself for starters.

Posted by Watcher | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 9:34 am

Larry's correct. Better no endorsement, if Mike didn't get it, than Peters. Look at his record. At least Mike fought for the citizens. Even in a losing effort on the pension giveaway, at least he tried. What did Peters do? Ran up legal bills to defend HIS interests, not ours. For someone with a legal background and a spouse in the financial business, how could he blame the staff for bad advice on the pension vote? Very easily -almost too easily. Of course, if he didn't blame the staff and accepted the responsibility for his actions, he might be indicted. Might, because who knows what lurks in the DA's mind, other than doing whatever she can to get rid of Aguirre. Go Mike!

Posted by Chattanooga-Choo-Choo | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 10:49 am

Weary? Cheery? Leery? Smeary? San Diegans are all batty- a little "power," a little "authority" and it goes right to your heads and you lose your minds. Aguirre's revolution has turned into another San Diegan folk tale of embarassing politics. Sanders goes for another term, Frye votes for Walmart, and Peters is a (Democrat?) What ever happened to "With Great Power comes Great Responsibility?" or being humbled by power? Does anyone in San Diego understand the word, humble? The Tragedy of the Commons in the Sun continues.

Posted by PBnJ | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 4:06 pm

26. Watcher wrote on March 29, 2008 10:34 AM: "Based on his miserable city council track record, Scott Peters is the last person we need in the city attorney's office. Having watched him vote repeatedly to violate state and federal laws while on the council, I don't see how he could enforce the same laws as city attorney. He'd have to indict himself for starters...BINGO!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 7:42 pm

Mike Aguirre doesn't fight for the citizens. He fights for his own ego. If he fought for citizens, then our taxes wouldn't be wasted like it is now. And to tell you the truth, I THINK a vote for Peters is not a vote for PETERS, its just a vote against AGUIRRE. LABOR runs this town and runs the Dem Party. AND LABOR hates Aguirre. Thoughts?

Posted by beamthisup | reply to this comment
March 29, 2008 10:37 pm

No one has mentioned that this also happens to be the kingdom of Toni Atkins. Her following combined the the Labor Union people provided the perfect anti-Aguirre storm..fueled by Dan Coffey and an over-the-time-limit harangue by Union Atty Anne Smith calling Aguirre a nut job and repeating the same diatribe we've heard for four years

Posted by madmax | reply to this comment
March 30, 2008 7:26 am

The saga of the battle for city attorney yet unfolds in it's pathetically comic absurdity. Our elected officials are a joke. City government is a farse: our "leaders" have proven themselves to be gutless cowards, ultimately always appeasing the plutocratic minority who steer the city's course according to their own interests & monetary greed. You people write your letters and still pretend you're actually participating in a democratic process? Discard your egos & expose it for what it really is. Your voices mean nothing...complain all you want, tout your candidates; it doesn't amount to much, unless you have enough dough to buy yourself a seat at the table.

Posted by Underwhelmed | reply to this comment
March 30, 2008 10:31 am

33. Underwhelmed wrote on March 30, 2008 11:31 AM: Your voices mean nothing.......... Your voice may mean NOTHING, but my voice is heard all around this city and county and it moves mountains, so if you don't like free speech move to Russia, or North Korea or Iran!

Posted by BBH | reply to this comment
March 30, 2008 1:33 pm

Hey Aguirre (BBH), was I attacking the first amendment? Reign it in a little bit buddy! Maybe your vocal energy could be put to better use by moving mountains of legal paperwork that has built up under your watch & amounted to what(?) NOTHING!

Posted by RE: Overblown | reply to this comment
March 30, 2008 4:55 pm

Dear madmax: If you are going to voice an opinion, please stick to topics that you know something about. (Are there any?) Anne Smith did not address the San Diego Democratic Club. In fact I don't think that she even attended the meeting. Maybe all women who support workers look alike to you.

Posted by Califia | reply to this comment
March 30, 2008 10:03 pm

Did BBH really say his "voice is heard all around this city and county and it moves mountains". Wow, that's an overstatement. His voice does little but irrate a few of us on these silly blogs with angry misinformed statements. What an overvalued picture he has of himself. BBH, your not doing what you think you are....and everyone is laughing at you! Go seek professional help and break free from the lock your computer has on your life.

Posted by Citizen X | reply to this comment
March 31, 2008 6:25 am

Peters needs to get a real job that he can be fired from.

Posted by Chili Willy | reply to this comment
April 1, 2008 7:56 am

37. Citizen X wrote on March 31, 2008 7:25 AM: "Did BBH really say his "voice is heard all around this city and county and it moves mountains". Wow, that's an overstatement....... No, that is not an over statement. HOW THE TRUTH CAN HURT SOME CITY EMPLOYEES!

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
April 1, 2008 11:10 am

BBH; "Moves mountains"???? Soledad Mountain???? It is you!!! I didn't believe it either... You are "HIM". My side hurts from laughing... It all makes sense now!!! Who are your list of supporters? Is it true you really have no money?

Posted by Sparky | reply to this comment
April 1, 2008 7:29 pm

BBH, while I personally enjoy your input here on VoSD (even though I often disagree with it), I wouldn't overstate the impact your anonymous statements have on the larger world. We all put in our 2 cents worth, and people will decide for themselves what to believe and what to do about it. But to say your voice moves mountains without a real known person behind the voice lacks any support. You could be anybody, somebody or nobody, and none of us know which one.

Posted by Rock On | reply to this comment
April 2, 2008 7:54 am

41. Rock On wrote on April 2, 2008 8:54 AM: ...... But to say your voice moves mountains without a real known person behind the voice lacks any support....... LOL... I should have said my words move Mt. Everest, that would be more accurate!

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
April 2, 2008 3:31 pm

Three words for you BBH, Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Posted by Citizen X | reply to this comment
April 2, 2008 7:04 pm

43. Citizen X wrote on April 2, 2008 8:04 PM: "Three words for you BBH, Narcissistic Personality Disorder."..... ....Citizen X, relax, take a rest. I was being sarcastic (hey,that is four words)! You have to admit, when you blow your top over silly things like my silly jokes you know you are taking this blog too seriously.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
April 3, 2008 7:35 am

BBH, nothing you post on here or other blogs appears anyway to resemble "silly jokes". Your tone is clear and it is you blows your top. This is all very personal to you. Again I say three words, Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Posted by Citizen X | reply to this comment
April 3, 2008 4:57 pm

Scott Peters is a stand up guy. This entire pension situation is noting more than an effort by conservatives to discredit government workers and put their developer friends back in complete charge. If the unfunded liability is such a big deal, why did former Mayor Pete Wilson take out a low interest loan from the retirement fund? Maybe no one noticed then because he is a conservative. But the unfunded liability was actually higher than it was during most of this trumped up crisis.

Posted by Jeff | reply to this comment
April 18, 2008 1:22 pm

Aguirre Rebuked

Published: Friday, March 28, 2008 9:30 AM PDT

-- SCOTT LEWIS

Scott Lewis on Politics

The Scott Lewis on Politics blog, abbreviated cleverly as SLOP, is a collection of observations, insights and the occasional scoop on public affairs in San Diego. Please feel free to e-mail Scott at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.

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