I appreciate you and your column, even though I don’t always agree with you. I absolutely agree with you about Dem. Kim. The same argument is being used for the governor’s race. Love Katie Porter? Great. But don’t throw away your vote and give the governor’s office to a lunatic Republican. Party matters, especially now.
We, especially Dems, are so committed to perfection and purity that we can’t strategize and see clearly. We want instant gratification while opposition is playing the long game and continually winning. I love Lisa but also recognize the importance of winning. Thank you for your work here and continued reasonable voice in a VERY unreasonable world.
Jeff- I appreciate you as well! I am trying to stay informed, am a 6+ year member of the amazing DWSOC club, attend many political fundraisers/debates and send out emails to 70 friends trying to keep them informed especially about the realities of our jungle primary governor race. I am in CA-40 district and I have a Lisa Ramirez lawn sign and agree she is the best candidate by far! And yet I hadn't really absorbed the jungle primary impact and the slim but potential opportunity to get rid of Young Kim. Your post this week slapped me in the face, woke me up and with great sadness, I took down my lawn sign for Lisa today. Keep up the great work. TY 🌊🙏
The stakes have never been higher and it is now more than ever that we have a real opportunity to put the best candidate on the ballot. What I think so many are missing is that the money will come for Lisa. When she wins in June and we have already unseated one incumbent, the blue wave will rally behind Lisa and it will be an unstoppable force. Don’t give up. Be a part of this movement.
That is sad, because this district is not primarily comprised of affluent OC cities anymore. Lisa is getting endorsements from the eastern part of the district. I hope you vote your conscience in the end.
I give you a BIG PAT on the back not just because you see things as I see it but because it’s reality with some lightheartedness and earthiness! After 34 yrs in the OC it’s about time to have someone like you echoing what a lot of us feel!💪👏
THANK YOU JEFF! I really appreciate what you are doing and I really appreciate the absolute GREAT writing you do. You are truly a fantastic writer. Spot on and very entertaining. It's too bad that when the country is melting down and going to sh#t that people have to throw in their 2 cents of bullshit "heat", "anger", "insults" and "you’ve really disappointed me …” crap. Keep up your great work! You are very appreciated.
People are allowed to be disappointed. It's not an insult. It is also the honesty that Jeff says he values. I am disappointed in Jeff for voting for someone he doesn't even like who he can so clearly see has contempt for voters. But that's his choice and he's made it
All this “ vote Lisa because she is the best” reminds me of how we got Trump 2.0. In fact, also Trump 1.0. Everyone was mad at Biden and Harris over Gaza in ‘24. Everyone was disappointed with Hillary in ‘16.
Are we happy with the result? If not, then learn to play the long game. I am angry at the people who thought abstaining would “punish” Kamala - instead the entire PLANET is being punished.
Vote strategically. Vote long-term, one step at a time.
Let us PLEASE not make the same mistake again. Vote for someone who can WIN the election in which they are running.
Neither was Kamala Harris a fringe candidate - she was the Vice President of the United States! She was the ONLY viable non-MAGA candidate. Yet lots of progressives/leftists/liberals/socialists - including Democrats - opposed Kamala Harris, becasue of the Biden administration's contnuing to provide weapons to Israel.
Would Gazans have been better off with a President Harris than they are with a President Trump, who wants to build a hotel on the Gaza coast?
Let's not make the same mistake again in 2026. We need to move in the right direction, even if our candidate is far from perfect. Make sure a Democrat gets into the top two for CD 40 in November.
EKV has utter contempt for her voters. If she actually makes it to congress, I am sure her time there will be marked by drama, and probably scandal. She'll be exhausting and stupid, just like she has been during the campaign.
We all don't need to vote for her because she did one poll (without releasing the demos or the geographic distribution). If fact, if we all vote for the better candidate, we'll be better off.
Esther has been good at marketing, but she'll likely be a terrible legislator.
So? The point is to give Democrats control of the House. Remember what happened when Joe Manchin and Kristen Sinema became non-Democrats? Democrats lost control of the House. I'll take a lousy legislator if she gives Dems control fo the House.
I certainly understand your contempt for EKV. I don’t understand why you think control of the Senate is different from control of the House, but I am sorry you are confused by the analogy.
No one should have to vote out of fear. But reality is reality, and reality is terrifying. That is the end of this conversation.
From the commentsI read below, I hope they make up for the turkeys. I find what you wrote yesterday to be incredibly true and fair minded. Shoot, I don't even reside in the OC, but appreciate when you include commentary that ventures beyond those borders. I've even shared some of it on my FB page. Keep up the good work, and you know the turkeys are usually way outnumbered by the rest of us.
I love the "stick to sports" sentiment I've seen in the various threads. To those who say it: Why don't you stick to accounting? Or fixing pipes? Or consulting, or whatever else you do with your lives when you're not (present company included) pontificating about politics in the comments section of a local blog?
Hunter Thompson: Great sportswriter. Also one of America's most insightful political writers. Read any of his Nixon coverage from '72-'76, you'll be astonished at the parallels with today. Glad he didn't just stick to sports (And HST's observation that American politics is really just sport after all stills holds).
Meanwhile, Lisa is getting endorsements in the eastern part of the district. Remember that this district is not primarily comprised of affluent OC cities anymore.
This is just one guy's opinion and he's entitled to it, but I am not sure he understands the overall demographics of the district.
Nina, I would be swayed if you can show a legitimate poll that demonstrates Lisa has tied with or surpassed Esther. The story would be different if Lisa was an earlier entrant in the race and/or Kerr had dropped out and endorsed her. The Dem field is too large and is going to kick us in the A#S as usual.
Esther's polls are Esther's polls. There is a lack of independent polling in our district. That is an issue.
That said, there a few things going on with Esther's polling waves. Her first one, in January had Lisa ahead, and EKVs likability alot lower. Now that trend is reversed. Perhaps that is a legitimate change, but it indicates to me that the sample is significantly different demographically and geographically between the two waves. Plus, she remains thoroughly and completely unlikable, so I am doubtful unless this particular repeated cross-section was less familiar with her than the first, which is possible.
The issue with political polling today is that it relies on phone and internet sample, which ends up being mostly internet sample because people no longer answer calls from strangers numbers. That in and of itself is an issue because it relies on the well-connected and more affluent. It would be interesting to see the actual geographic and demographic distribution of this survey. Is it OC heavy? Only about 25% of the district is still in OC. The rest is in the IE. Does it have a sample of at least 30% Latinos and 15% Asians to represent the district? Does it under sample and weight those groups? Who knows?
Polling is really useful when you have repeated independent polls so you have a confluence of data. In that way, you get an average od polls over time that give you a complete picture. Esther's polls are a marketing tool, and many people are falling for it.
You're also not considering where and how candidates are spending their resources. Esther is running a vibe campaign and doing things like flying to DC for "Asian Prom" (whatever that is) and posting it on the internet. Lisa is doing work in less visible parts of the district. We don't see the big billboard off the 15, because we live in OC. We don't see the lawn signs and canvassers in the IE because we live in OC. The approach is different.
I appreciate you Jeff just keeping it real. Thank you.
I appreciate you and your column, even though I don’t always agree with you. I absolutely agree with you about Dem. Kim. The same argument is being used for the governor’s race. Love Katie Porter? Great. But don’t throw away your vote and give the governor’s office to a lunatic Republican. Party matters, especially now.
We, especially Dems, are so committed to perfection and purity that we can’t strategize and see clearly. We want instant gratification while opposition is playing the long game and continually winning. I love Lisa but also recognize the importance of winning. Thank you for your work here and continued reasonable voice in a VERY unreasonable world.
Totally agree. Dems constantly invoke the mindset of letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Rep. Pelosi had the perfect mindset in 2018. She told Dem candidates to be the candidate they needed to be to win their district.
435 districts. There is no one size fits all.
Jeff- I appreciate you as well! I am trying to stay informed, am a 6+ year member of the amazing DWSOC club, attend many political fundraisers/debates and send out emails to 70 friends trying to keep them informed especially about the realities of our jungle primary governor race. I am in CA-40 district and I have a Lisa Ramirez lawn sign and agree she is the best candidate by far! And yet I hadn't really absorbed the jungle primary impact and the slim but potential opportunity to get rid of Young Kim. Your post this week slapped me in the face, woke me up and with great sadness, I took down my lawn sign for Lisa today. Keep up the great work. TY 🌊🙏
The stakes have never been higher and it is now more than ever that we have a real opportunity to put the best candidate on the ballot. What I think so many are missing is that the money will come for Lisa. When she wins in June and we have already unseated one incumbent, the blue wave will rally behind Lisa and it will be an unstoppable force. Don’t give up. Be a part of this movement.
That is sad, because this district is not primarily comprised of affluent OC cities anymore. Lisa is getting endorsements from the eastern part of the district. I hope you vote your conscience in the end.
I give you a BIG PAT on the back not just because you see things as I see it but because it’s reality with some lightheartedness and earthiness! After 34 yrs in the OC it’s about time to have someone like you echoing what a lot of us feel!💪👏
We're all trying in our own way.
You are a breath of fresh air Jeff. I look forward to reading Truth OC to hear your perspective.
Thanks for doing this!
Thanks for giving us a bite of reality. Keep up the good work.
THANK YOU JEFF! I really appreciate what you are doing and I really appreciate the absolute GREAT writing you do. You are truly a fantastic writer. Spot on and very entertaining. It's too bad that when the country is melting down and going to sh#t that people have to throw in their 2 cents of bullshit "heat", "anger", "insults" and "you’ve really disappointed me …” crap. Keep up your great work! You are very appreciated.
People are allowed to be disappointed. It's not an insult. It is also the honesty that Jeff says he values. I am disappointed in Jeff for voting for someone he doesn't even like who he can so clearly see has contempt for voters. But that's his choice and he's made it
I definitely appreciate your efforts, even when I know you're wrong. Especially when I know you're wrong! Your voice is an important and powerful one.
What Sam said. Even when I completely disagree with you (not all that often) I’m grateful to you for doing what you do.
All this “ vote Lisa because she is the best” reminds me of how we got Trump 2.0. In fact, also Trump 1.0. Everyone was mad at Biden and Harris over Gaza in ‘24. Everyone was disappointed with Hillary in ‘16.
Are we happy with the result? If not, then learn to play the long game. I am angry at the people who thought abstaining would “punish” Kamala - instead the entire PLANET is being punished.
Vote strategically. Vote long-term, one step at a time.
Let us PLEASE not make the same mistake again. Vote for someone who can WIN the election in which they are running.
Neither was Kamala Harris a fringe candidate - she was the Vice President of the United States! She was the ONLY viable non-MAGA candidate. Yet lots of progressives/leftists/liberals/socialists - including Democrats - opposed Kamala Harris, becasue of the Biden administration's contnuing to provide weapons to Israel.
Would Gazans have been better off with a President Harris than they are with a President Trump, who wants to build a hotel on the Gaza coast?
Let's not make the same mistake again in 2026. We need to move in the right direction, even if our candidate is far from perfect. Make sure a Democrat gets into the top two for CD 40 in November.
EKV has utter contempt for her voters. If she actually makes it to congress, I am sure her time there will be marked by drama, and probably scandal. She'll be exhausting and stupid, just like she has been during the campaign.
We all don't need to vote for her because she did one poll (without releasing the demos or the geographic distribution). If fact, if we all vote for the better candidate, we'll be better off.
Esther has been good at marketing, but she'll likely be a terrible legislator.
So? The point is to give Democrats control of the House. Remember what happened when Joe Manchin and Kristen Sinema became non-Democrats? Democrats lost control of the House. I'll take a lousy legislator if she gives Dems control fo the House.
I certainly understand your contempt for EKV. I don’t understand why you think control of the Senate is different from control of the House, but I am sorry you are confused by the analogy.
No one should have to vote out of fear. But reality is reality, and reality is terrifying. That is the end of this conversation.
All the best to you.
Thanks for your insight because no publication is investigating or covering OC politics. I appreciate you!
From the commentsI read below, I hope they make up for the turkeys. I find what you wrote yesterday to be incredibly true and fair minded. Shoot, I don't even reside in the OC, but appreciate when you include commentary that ventures beyond those borders. I've even shared some of it on my FB page. Keep up the good work, and you know the turkeys are usually way outnumbered by the rest of us.
Don't get pulled away from.the fray. Keep on dogging them. You're a star in our eyes. Keep on keepin' on.
I love the "stick to sports" sentiment I've seen in the various threads. To those who say it: Why don't you stick to accounting? Or fixing pipes? Or consulting, or whatever else you do with your lives when you're not (present company included) pontificating about politics in the comments section of a local blog?
Hunter Thompson: Great sportswriter. Also one of America's most insightful political writers. Read any of his Nixon coverage from '72-'76, you'll be astonished at the parallels with today. Glad he didn't just stick to sports (And HST's observation that American politics is really just sport after all stills holds).
Thx for the work you do here, Jeff.
Meanwhile, Lisa is getting endorsements in the eastern part of the district. Remember that this district is not primarily comprised of affluent OC cities anymore.
This is just one guy's opinion and he's entitled to it, but I am not sure he understands the overall demographics of the district.
Vote Lisa Ramirez.
Nina, I would be swayed if you can show a legitimate poll that demonstrates Lisa has tied with or surpassed Esther. The story would be different if Lisa was an earlier entrant in the race and/or Kerr had dropped out and endorsed her. The Dem field is too large and is going to kick us in the A#S as usual.
Esther's polls are Esther's polls. There is a lack of independent polling in our district. That is an issue.
That said, there a few things going on with Esther's polling waves. Her first one, in January had Lisa ahead, and EKVs likability alot lower. Now that trend is reversed. Perhaps that is a legitimate change, but it indicates to me that the sample is significantly different demographically and geographically between the two waves. Plus, she remains thoroughly and completely unlikable, so I am doubtful unless this particular repeated cross-section was less familiar with her than the first, which is possible.
The issue with political polling today is that it relies on phone and internet sample, which ends up being mostly internet sample because people no longer answer calls from strangers numbers. That in and of itself is an issue because it relies on the well-connected and more affluent. It would be interesting to see the actual geographic and demographic distribution of this survey. Is it OC heavy? Only about 25% of the district is still in OC. The rest is in the IE. Does it have a sample of at least 30% Latinos and 15% Asians to represent the district? Does it under sample and weight those groups? Who knows?
Polling is really useful when you have repeated independent polls so you have a confluence of data. In that way, you get an average od polls over time that give you a complete picture. Esther's polls are a marketing tool, and many people are falling for it.
You're also not considering where and how candidates are spending their resources. Esther is running a vibe campaign and doing things like flying to DC for "Asian Prom" (whatever that is) and posting it on the internet. Lisa is doing work in less visible parts of the district. We don't see the big billboard off the 15, because we live in OC. We don't see the lawn signs and canvassers in the IE because we live in OC. The approach is different.
Thank you for sharing those perspectives. I appreciate it.