The line calling out Canyon Dems and Dems of Corona-Norco is absolutely crazy! Esther needs to take a long hard look in the mirror to figure out why she lost. Lisa Ramirez has a bright future, and I am looking forward to what she does next!
Perhaps the biggest lesson from this primary is that “electability” is not a substitute for candidate quality. Voters should never be expected to support someone simply because they’re told that person is the only one who can win. If a candidate is fundamentally flawed, no amount of strategic voting changes that.
Frankly, I’d much prefer to watch Young Kim and Calvert fight it out than see EKV elevated to Congress. The added benefit is that this race will now absorb millions of GOP dollars that might otherwise be spent in more competitive districts. Icing on the cake: EKV’s ambitions end here.
Canyon Dems isn't a public forum and they specifically limit discussion (the leader has said this from the stage). However, that's totally legal. They do give preferential treatment to certain candidates which again is well within their legal guidelines. They do allow non-members into their meetings, and they are not required to do so. Not sure it's the right forum with respect to getting people to align support for a preferred candidate. Also not sure about overall membership, but those who show up in the meeting don't have much diversity and are of a certain age demographic. That's OK, but just not sure how well their recommendations would map to the overall electorate in some cases. Those who attend the meeting seem nice enough, polite and so forth.
Voting transfer is questionable either way. Seen here in this forum, and from the candidates themselves with the exception of one, many would refuse to vote in the general if their preferred candidate did not clear the primary. However, it is unclear what the general population would do. For example, people voted for candidates who dropped out but were still on the ballot, most prominent example being the governor race.
I’m not saying that Lisa would’ve definitely got top 2 had Esther dropped out, I’m just saying Esther’s logic of “Lisa is the enemy from within” isn’t sound when she is only beating Lisa by a slim margin
The tell is always who remains in the fight after a defeat. The OC political landscape is littered with flash-in-the-pan candidates who came out of the woodwork to run for congress and are never heard from again after they lose. My money is on Lisa Ramirez sticking around and doing the work while she ponders if/when to throw her hat back in the political ring. Esther....don't let the door hit you on the a$$!!!
Anyone heard from Lisa Ramirez or Joe Kerr on how they are remaining in the fight after the Primary June 2nd? Any actions in progress or planned to help flip the House from Red to Blue? Nothing obvious on their web sites or socials that I've seen. Not implying that they have to remain active in the political realm of course. Like Valerie stated, the tell is to see who remains in the fight after a defeat. Lisa and Joe might be strategizing at this point.
Esther Kim Varet is active in the fight with her stated twofold plan in socials: 1) supporting flipping the House to Blue via identifying key potential districts throughout the USA where support could tip the scales, 2) starting an investigative series about CA40 with a collaborator met during the campaign.
I’m aware that Esther Kim Varet is remaining in the fight after the defeat. She is continuing with her long-time stated goal of flipping the House. She plans to use remaining campaign funds to help fund possible candidates in red-to-blue areas and advocate for them. There are various aspects she has mentioned. I believe the goal doesn’t prioritize funding for campaigns that are already thought to likely win Democrat already. Subject to change I’m sure, it’s just my latest understanding. I am not sure how Lisa is staying in the fight at this time, and am not implying she has no such plans. However, the significant blocking in her socials makes it hard to ascertain. Perhaps, she will update her website or be covered in this political blog site. Also not sure what Joe has planned to stay in the fight. However, active family who post here will probably let us know.
This! 10,000 times THIS! I'm going to frame this and hang it in my office.
Jeff, always a fan of your sports writing but now you're my political swami.
Not only did her campaign show us who she was, but also who her donors are. Maybe if they had looked beyond their elitism and seen Lisa their hearts, if not their heads would have recognized good versus evil, competent versus incompetent , serious versus frivolous.
She left her stain, there won't be a next time. Her parting words are her legacy. Lots of Riverside county votes left to count, anything can happen.
Moral of the story? Fuck your money. It can't buy class, intelligence, integrity or votes. Lisa Ramirez just proved that beyond a reasonable doubt.
I believe Pearlman would have been addressing the super PAC money, and the two super PAC's were not donors to her campaign, which would be against the law. By law, her campaign and any campaign is not allowed to influence a super PAC. Esther is strongly against super PAC's (Citizens United issue). Joe seems aligned as well (statement about transparency). Lisa doesn't have a statement I could find (source: the web sites of the candidates).
Another poster said a deep dive on FEC receipts could find registered Republicans giving donations, but Pearlman never had mentioned that before to my knowledge. However, he had a large posting about the super PAC's, so that's what I think he was referencing. The max individual donations allowed by law are very small ($3,500 for the Primary) in comparison to unlimited donations and spending allowed for super PAC's.
This is so embarrassing for her, and exactly what I expected. Now she can officially close her fake "gallery" in Tustin! People like her never stay gone for long. Can't wait until she pops up running as a Republican somewhere else! Signed, one of "a handful of unhinged Karens"
Wow - what a narcissist she is! Which means none of your spot on summary will get through to her but it was fun to read for the rest of us.
There is lots of crazy stuff to cover in the local elections.
Like how Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Tony Beall's wife, Jennifer Beall, is on the Board of Rancho Fest, a community celebration run by the NON-PROFIT Chamber of Commerce. The city council gives money to this event (a proposed $60k+ this year) which they not only charge folks to attend but also use to promote Republicans like do nothing, missed-more-votes than all but one other state legislator Kate Sanchez. And who is Kate Sanchez's Chief of Staff? Jennifer Beall. And who else works for Kate Sanchez? Anne Figueroa who is also on the RSM city council. Why they cling to these little city council positions like their life depends on it, I would love to know. Whose power trip is so small? But meanwhile, they are divisive and hurtful when they go after (successfully) our Boys & Girls Club.
I attended a candidate forum with EKV, Lisa Ramirez, and Joe Kerr, with about 150 people in attendance. Let me tell you, EKV's comments and responses gave us the worst second hand embarrassment. She was obviously so far out of her league, many of us were squirming and cringing at her answers. She has no idea how to govern. She just thought that since she had more money to throw at the election she should be the choice. Lisa Ramirez is infinitely more qualified and capable than EKV will ever be.
If it was the canyondems (audience amount seems about right), here is a quote from that meeting.
Esther: "I won't pretend, that we, not everybody agrees with everybody, but we have such impressive candidates running with us, and personally I'd be happy with any of us making it into the top two."
Lisa and Joe were up next and had no such unifying comment.
Esther's comment is one I certainly agree with, as I would have supported whatever Democrat candidate cleared the Primary (unlikely there would be two clearing). That sentiment was not shared by the other candidates nor many people who participate in this forum, which is their right to make such a decision.
Although I am commenting about your post, I am not inferring anything about how you personally would vote in such a situation.
And then she turned around and continuously attacked them for not dropping out. One phony "unifying " comment does not outweigh all of the baseless attacks that followed.
I'm reminded of another false prophet - " no new wars, I'll create a booming economy". Mike Pence and Brian Kemp would likely agree.
Here's the rest. It is not AI-generated, but the transcript is coming from a tool. It looks pretty good to me.
(0:01) I've got a closing statement, so. (0:05) I won't pretend that we, not everybody agrees with everybody, but we have such impressive candidates running with us, (0:11) and personally I would be happy with any of us making it into the top two. (0:19) I will ask as you are wavering and trying to figure out who to put your trust in, (0:28) to look into our backgrounds, to look into what we've done with our lives, (0:36) the kinds of projects that we've engaged in, and the kinds of organizations that are coming in for these campaigns.
(0:46) For me, I've been a lifelong environmental activist, and NRDC just endorsed the largest organization in our country fighting for our environment (0:56) because I have been a part of that organization for the past 15 years. (1:02) I've been part of organizations, I've been sitting on boards, regulating and fighting for food equality, (1:11) and fighting children's poverty and hunger. (1:15) You can look into all of these things.
(1:18) I ask you to take the time to understand who we are and the values that we stand for, (1:23) because coming to you tonight and talking about the problems that plague me or Democrats, (1:33) they're not just talking points that I've learned overnight. (1:36) These are things that I've been working on for the past 15 years. (1:42) We need to get serious about this race, because it can be done.
(1:49) I have the numbers, I have figured out how to raise the resources, (1:59) and I figured out how to build a real grassroots movement in CA40 to do this. (2:06) We cannot do it alone. I need you guys to help me do it, but it has to be all of us in this district.
(2:16) So, know that I am someone that is available. (2:22) I am the only one in this district that has been doing monthly town halls, (2:28) bringing in members of our community to talk about topics that impact us all. (2:34) You can go to my website and look at the archive of the last three town halls that we've done, (2:40) ranging from topics of AI to social security.
(2:43) The next one will be about veteran affairs. (2:48) So, please, I ask you, ask questions, don't make assumptions, (2:56) and try to figure out how each candidate is going to get the job done. (3:02) Thank you.
So, this is one example of her talking about impressive candidates that of course, includes her. I don't see where she says she would support them if she were not a front runner. I am not saying the other candidates said as much, but Esther certainly didn't.
Additionally, I don't see a lot of cohesive delivery in these comments nor do I see tangible actions. I see what she supports, not anything she has done.
Bottom line, her parting words are her legacy. To call those that do not bow to her narcissists and Karen's not only show immaturity, it shows total lack of awareness and discipline.
Actually, that's not the case. It will take me a bit and I'll come back with the rest of that canyondems talk best I can - might not be perfect quotes.
The candidate that parachuted in for a vanity project.
Who is also being backed by the GOP.
Ends up being the one who keeps a Dem from being in the general election.
If EKV was not a MAGA plant. She was the best useful idiot the GOP could have ever wanted.
I ask again. Why didn’t she run for the seat where she lived just two short years ago?
Where she rarely voted.
If her motive was flipping the seat. She would have supported someone who has actually lived in the district. Or at least nearby. Giving that candidate a better chance of success.
I repeat. This was a vanity project for her. Nothing else.
If she stays and runs again (which I doubt). I will eat my words about her commitment to serving others. I predict she moves back to her Hancock Park enclave before the 4th of July.
The real winners here were her consultants and media contractors (mail and video). They made serious bank off a candidate with deep pockets. I am sure even they knew she was a longshot at best. But kept her pumped full of false hope. As long as the checks did not bounce.
I stated numerous times. The annals of politics are filled with wealthy candidates. Who outspent their competition many times over........and lost. Never to be heard from again. Like they were never there.
EKV is just another in a long list. I have no doubt she will not be the last.
Esther ran in CA40 to flip the seat. She's answered this repeatedly and consistently.
And to answer your other question, running for a seat in the LA area would not result in flipping a seat. That's the likely reason she would not run for such a seat.
Noted that you have investigated her personal life, voting record, street addresses. I've never delved into that.
I respect your ability to express your opinion although I disagree with it.
Another sad commentary from a sore loser. Go back to LA or better yet, go hang out at the White House with the rest of sore losers. A better fit there than OC. Sorry LA, she's your problem now or maybe again.???
And this is the very reason I could not give my vote to EKV. She doesn't have the temperament to be in public office. Period.
Doesn't have the temperament even to be a neighbor
The line calling out Canyon Dems and Dems of Corona-Norco is absolutely crazy! Esther needs to take a long hard look in the mirror to figure out why she lost. Lisa Ramirez has a bright future, and I am looking forward to what she does next!
Perhaps the biggest lesson from this primary is that “electability” is not a substitute for candidate quality. Voters should never be expected to support someone simply because they’re told that person is the only one who can win. If a candidate is fundamentally flawed, no amount of strategic voting changes that.
Frankly, I’d much prefer to watch Young Kim and Calvert fight it out than see EKV elevated to Congress. The added benefit is that this race will now absorb millions of GOP dollars that might otherwise be spent in more competitive districts. Icing on the cake: EKV’s ambitions end here.
Canyon Dems isn't a public forum and they specifically limit discussion (the leader has said this from the stage). However, that's totally legal. They do give preferential treatment to certain candidates which again is well within their legal guidelines. They do allow non-members into their meetings, and they are not required to do so. Not sure it's the right forum with respect to getting people to align support for a preferred candidate. Also not sure about overall membership, but those who show up in the meeting don't have much diversity and are of a certain age demographic. That's OK, but just not sure how well their recommendations would map to the overall electorate in some cases. Those who attend the meeting seem nice enough, polite and so forth.
Did Esther ever think that if she herself dropped out maybe Lisa would've been in the top 2?
Voting transfer is questionable either way. Seen here in this forum, and from the candidates themselves with the exception of one, many would refuse to vote in the general if their preferred candidate did not clear the primary. However, it is unclear what the general population would do. For example, people voted for candidates who dropped out but were still on the ballot, most prominent example being the governor race.
I’m not saying that Lisa would’ve definitely got top 2 had Esther dropped out, I’m just saying Esther’s logic of “Lisa is the enemy from within” isn’t sound when she is only beating Lisa by a slim margin
Thanks for your clarification.
The tell is always who remains in the fight after a defeat. The OC political landscape is littered with flash-in-the-pan candidates who came out of the woodwork to run for congress and are never heard from again after they lose. My money is on Lisa Ramirez sticking around and doing the work while she ponders if/when to throw her hat back in the political ring. Esther....don't let the door hit you on the a$$!!!
Anyone heard from Lisa Ramirez or Joe Kerr on how they are remaining in the fight after the Primary June 2nd? Any actions in progress or planned to help flip the House from Red to Blue? Nothing obvious on their web sites or socials that I've seen. Not implying that they have to remain active in the political realm of course. Like Valerie stated, the tell is to see who remains in the fight after a defeat. Lisa and Joe might be strategizing at this point.
Esther Kim Varet is active in the fight with her stated twofold plan in socials: 1) supporting flipping the House to Blue via identifying key potential districts throughout the USA where support could tip the scales, 2) starting an investigative series about CA40 with a collaborator met during the campaign.
I’m aware that Esther Kim Varet is remaining in the fight after the defeat. She is continuing with her long-time stated goal of flipping the House. She plans to use remaining campaign funds to help fund possible candidates in red-to-blue areas and advocate for them. There are various aspects she has mentioned. I believe the goal doesn’t prioritize funding for campaigns that are already thought to likely win Democrat already. Subject to change I’m sure, it’s just my latest understanding. I am not sure how Lisa is staying in the fight at this time, and am not implying she has no such plans. However, the significant blocking in her socials makes it hard to ascertain. Perhaps, she will update her website or be covered in this political blog site. Also not sure what Joe has planned to stay in the fight. However, active family who post here will probably let us know.
This! 10,000 times THIS! I'm going to frame this and hang it in my office.
Jeff, always a fan of your sports writing but now you're my political swami.
Not only did her campaign show us who she was, but also who her donors are. Maybe if they had looked beyond their elitism and seen Lisa their hearts, if not their heads would have recognized good versus evil, competent versus incompetent , serious versus frivolous.
She left her stain, there won't be a next time. Her parting words are her legacy. Lots of Riverside county votes left to count, anything can happen.
Moral of the story? Fuck your money. It can't buy class, intelligence, integrity or votes. Lisa Ramirez just proved that beyond a reasonable doubt.
I believe Pearlman would have been addressing the super PAC money, and the two super PAC's were not donors to her campaign, which would be against the law. By law, her campaign and any campaign is not allowed to influence a super PAC. Esther is strongly against super PAC's (Citizens United issue). Joe seems aligned as well (statement about transparency). Lisa doesn't have a statement I could find (source: the web sites of the candidates).
Another poster said a deep dive on FEC receipts could find registered Republicans giving donations, but Pearlman never had mentioned that before to my knowledge. However, he had a large posting about the super PAC's, so that's what I think he was referencing. The max individual donations allowed by law are very small ($3,500 for the Primary) in comparison to unlimited donations and spending allowed for super PAC's.
That farewell post is very on brand for EKV :)
Lisa Ramirez has more class in her little finger than EKV could ever hope for. Money can't buy class (or votes in the case of EKV).
This is so embarrassing for her, and exactly what I expected. Now she can officially close her fake "gallery" in Tustin! People like her never stay gone for long. Can't wait until she pops up running as a Republican somewhere else! Signed, one of "a handful of unhinged Karens"
Wow - what a narcissist she is! Which means none of your spot on summary will get through to her but it was fun to read for the rest of us.
There is lots of crazy stuff to cover in the local elections.
Like how Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Tony Beall's wife, Jennifer Beall, is on the Board of Rancho Fest, a community celebration run by the NON-PROFIT Chamber of Commerce. The city council gives money to this event (a proposed $60k+ this year) which they not only charge folks to attend but also use to promote Republicans like do nothing, missed-more-votes than all but one other state legislator Kate Sanchez. And who is Kate Sanchez's Chief of Staff? Jennifer Beall. And who else works for Kate Sanchez? Anne Figueroa who is also on the RSM city council. Why they cling to these little city council positions like their life depends on it, I would love to know. Whose power trip is so small? But meanwhile, they are divisive and hurtful when they go after (successfully) our Boys & Girls Club.
Interesting commentary about Rancho.
Holy cow. That’s insane of her to post. I saw through her the whole time.
I attended a candidate forum with EKV, Lisa Ramirez, and Joe Kerr, with about 150 people in attendance. Let me tell you, EKV's comments and responses gave us the worst second hand embarrassment. She was obviously so far out of her league, many of us were squirming and cringing at her answers. She has no idea how to govern. She just thought that since she had more money to throw at the election she should be the choice. Lisa Ramirez is infinitely more qualified and capable than EKV will ever be.
If it was the canyondems (audience amount seems about right), here is a quote from that meeting.
Esther: "I won't pretend, that we, not everybody agrees with everybody, but we have such impressive candidates running with us, and personally I'd be happy with any of us making it into the top two."
Lisa and Joe were up next and had no such unifying comment.
Esther's comment is one I certainly agree with, as I would have supported whatever Democrat candidate cleared the Primary (unlikely there would be two clearing). That sentiment was not shared by the other candidates nor many people who participate in this forum, which is their right to make such a decision.
Although I am commenting about your post, I am not inferring anything about how you personally would vote in such a situation.
And then she turned around and continuously attacked them for not dropping out. One phony "unifying " comment does not outweigh all of the baseless attacks that followed.
I'm reminded of another false prophet - " no new wars, I'll create a booming economy". Mike Pence and Brian Kemp would likely agree.
Here's the rest. It is not AI-generated, but the transcript is coming from a tool. It looks pretty good to me.
(0:01) I've got a closing statement, so. (0:05) I won't pretend that we, not everybody agrees with everybody, but we have such impressive candidates running with us, (0:11) and personally I would be happy with any of us making it into the top two. (0:19) I will ask as you are wavering and trying to figure out who to put your trust in, (0:28) to look into our backgrounds, to look into what we've done with our lives, (0:36) the kinds of projects that we've engaged in, and the kinds of organizations that are coming in for these campaigns.
(0:46) For me, I've been a lifelong environmental activist, and NRDC just endorsed the largest organization in our country fighting for our environment (0:56) because I have been a part of that organization for the past 15 years. (1:02) I've been part of organizations, I've been sitting on boards, regulating and fighting for food equality, (1:11) and fighting children's poverty and hunger. (1:15) You can look into all of these things.
(1:18) I ask you to take the time to understand who we are and the values that we stand for, (1:23) because coming to you tonight and talking about the problems that plague me or Democrats, (1:33) they're not just talking points that I've learned overnight. (1:36) These are things that I've been working on for the past 15 years. (1:42) We need to get serious about this race, because it can be done.
(1:49) I have the numbers, I have figured out how to raise the resources, (1:59) and I figured out how to build a real grassroots movement in CA40 to do this. (2:06) We cannot do it alone. I need you guys to help me do it, but it has to be all of us in this district.
(2:16) So, know that I am someone that is available. (2:22) I am the only one in this district that has been doing monthly town halls, (2:28) bringing in members of our community to talk about topics that impact us all. (2:34) You can go to my website and look at the archive of the last three town halls that we've done, (2:40) ranging from topics of AI to social security.
(2:43) The next one will be about veteran affairs. (2:48) So, please, I ask you, ask questions, don't make assumptions, (2:56) and try to figure out how each candidate is going to get the job done. (3:02) Thank you.
So, this is one example of her talking about impressive candidates that of course, includes her. I don't see where she says she would support them if she were not a front runner. I am not saying the other candidates said as much, but Esther certainly didn't.
Additionally, I don't see a lot of cohesive delivery in these comments nor do I see tangible actions. I see what she supports, not anything she has done.
Bottom line, her parting words are her legacy. To call those that do not bow to her narcissists and Karen's not only show immaturity, it shows total lack of awareness and discipline.
Thanks for your perspective.
Actually, that's not the case. It will take me a bit and I'll come back with the rest of that canyondems talk best I can - might not be perfect quotes.
Fair enough, I'd be interested to see. But, you are aware in her most recent post she attacked the Canyon Dems. It rings a little disingenuous.
Just posted. warning it may not be perfect (tool-generated not AI).
What a surprise.
The candidate that parachuted in for a vanity project.
Who is also being backed by the GOP.
Ends up being the one who keeps a Dem from being in the general election.
If EKV was not a MAGA plant. She was the best useful idiot the GOP could have ever wanted.
I ask again. Why didn’t she run for the seat where she lived just two short years ago?
Where she rarely voted.
If her motive was flipping the seat. She would have supported someone who has actually lived in the district. Or at least nearby. Giving that candidate a better chance of success.
I repeat. This was a vanity project for her. Nothing else.
If she stays and runs again (which I doubt). I will eat my words about her commitment to serving others. I predict she moves back to her Hancock Park enclave before the 4th of July.
The real winners here were her consultants and media contractors (mail and video). They made serious bank off a candidate with deep pockets. I am sure even they knew she was a longshot at best. But kept her pumped full of false hope. As long as the checks did not bounce.
I stated numerous times. The annals of politics are filled with wealthy candidates. Who outspent their competition many times over........and lost. Never to be heard from again. Like they were never there.
EKV is just another in a long list. I have no doubt she will not be the last.
Esther ran in CA40 to flip the seat. She's answered this repeatedly and consistently.
And to answer your other question, running for a seat in the LA area would not result in flipping a seat. That's the likely reason she would not run for such a seat.
Noted that you have investigated her personal life, voting record, street addresses. I've never delved into that.
I respect your ability to express your opinion although I disagree with it.
She ran as a vanity project. Nothing more.
She never had a chance. Even if she finished in the top two.
I am sure her consultants are unhappy. Their deep pocketed sucker lost.
Now they have to find another sucker.
Thanks for your reply.
Best takedown ever! Thanks!!!!
Another sad commentary from a sore loser. Go back to LA or better yet, go hang out at the White House with the rest of sore losers. A better fit there than OC. Sorry LA, she's your problem now or maybe again.???
Sad. and Classless. This is one of the reasons people avoid engaging in politics, who wants to wallow in this muck?
Good riddance.
What a remarkable display of poor judgement and classlessness.