Outtakes From the Campaign Front Lines By Robert Warne - February 21, 2002The closer we get to the March 5 primary, the race for insurance commissioner is bound to intensify. There is a lot of material about individual insurance commissioners floating around out there. For Democrats and Republicans this is the time to let it all hang out in their bids to receive their party’s nomination. The particles of information, when pulled together provide a fun read.
Garamendi’s Ad
During the big push, it is rumored John Garamendi will blanket the TV stations in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The ad will show a Chuck Quackenbush looking puppet at the end of strings with a Tom Calderon sign around his neck. At the other end of the strings will be the hands of the insurance companies or insurance industry.
Latin“NO” Hablo
Calderon and Gary Mendoza are seeking the Hispanic vote. Recently they appeared on a Spanish speaking television show to get their message out. The irony though is that both had to rely on an interpreter.
Naming Conventions
The Workers’ Compensation Executive has released its official nicknames for the main commissioner candidates. For the Republicans you have: Wes “Honest Abe” Bannister and Gary “Riordan” Mendoza. And for the Democrats there is: Tom “Cash” Calderon, John “Takeover” Garamendi and Tom “CTLA” Umberg.
Mendoza Goes Public
Mendoza who has been very quiet until a recent speech he gave to a large Latin Agents group in Los Angeles. It was reported he was asked some insurance related questions that he didn’t know the answers to. Instead of admitting he didn't know the answers he tried to bluff. Supposedly it got ugly.
Wes Bannister was also invited, but had no idea Mendoza was going to speak. Bannister told adjustercom.com that he figured Mendoza probably felt set up. “I had told him some time ago that when, and if, he goes before insurance people he had better do his homework,” said Bannister.
Sanctioned Bout in Sacramento
It was reported Calderon and Garamendi were on the verge of fist throwing during their Sacramento debates. Garamendi repeatedly called Tom Calderon "Chuck" and Tom kept correcting him and said, "I am Tom, Chuck is my brother." Garamendi was playing off the fact Chuck was just fined $19,000 by the FPPC for campaign contribution violations.
But Tom didn’t roll over easy. He hit Garamendi with an Executive Life blow. He accused Garamendi of mishandling the Executive Life deal.
Calderon Makes a Dash for Cheney’s Hide-out
It is reported that Calderon is now avoiding insurance people since AB 749 passed because the bill is catching a lot of flack. Insurers are also trying to find the reforms included in the bill.
Ed.—Is that the kind of thanks they get for pouring $1.5 million into his campaign?
Garamendi on the Hot Seat
Donations made to insurance commissioner candidates have been a hot button going into this election year. Calderon hit the $1.5 million mark of insurance money and hasn’t slowed down. This has been taboo for all candidates. Now after some research by a San Francisco Chronicle reporter, Garamendi appears to have some insurance money on the books. The money is a stash of insurance cash he received when he was insurance commissioner eight years ago. His explanation is that it is difficult to know exactly if the money came from insurance concerns. Some of the money, he said, is from his governor campaign. He plans to return the $20,000 to its respective parties.
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