Big Development In The Race For The CA-31 House Seat

Drunk? Stoned? Stupid? Draw your own conclusion but Steve Israel likes what he sees

More than a few congressmembers have been pissed off enough about Steve Israel's shady behavior to mention it to me. Maybe it's just the ones who I talk to but there sure does seem to be a consensus among normal Democrats that they guy is a one sleazy, untrustworthy character. And everybody just wrings their hands. He lies to them about how wonderful Jennifer Garrison is, gets pro-Choice members and gay members to donate money to her, while misleading them about how she got her nickname: the Sarah Palin of Ohio. And Jennifer Garrison isn't the only hideous recruit progressives are recoiling from.

Here in California, in a deep blue (D+5) Inland Empire congressional district, a district Israel badly bungled in 2012, Israel is again trying to elect the same empty suit voters rejected last time, Pete Aguilar. And he pressured members of the state delegation to back him, all the while misleading them about Eloise Reyes' prospects. One neighboring congressman told me that Israel said that Eloise couldn't raise any money and that Aguilar "had it in the bag." The Q-4 numbers released a few weeks ago didn't reflect that. They reflected Israel's wishful thinking and deceitful nature.

• Eloise Gomez Reyes raised $302,084
• Gary Miller raised $148,943
• Pete Aguilar raised $147,086
• Joe Baca raised $20,484

So Eloise raised about as much as the 3 other candidates combined. But Israel isn't embarrassed. Nothing could embarrass a man who would steal bills from other congressmen and steal money from his schuel and get kicked out of his home by two consecutive wives for adultery. And the fact that his lame candidate-- pictured above-- is a failed former bank lobbyist who backs Chained CPI, doesn't phase Israel in the slightest.

But none of the California Members have had the gall to stand up to him over the Aguilar endorsement-- until today. I'll finish the post in a couple of hours. Hang on… it will be worth it.

Xavier Becerra Endorses Eloise!

This afternoon, the progressive member of Nancy Pelosi's leadership team, Los Angeles Congressman Xavier Becerra, formally endorsed Eloise Reyes for the CA-31 congressional seat in front of the County Courthouse in San Berdoo. Becerra, as Democratic Caucus chairman, ranks above Israel in the House leadership. There's virtually no chance that he would have made this move if Pelosi opposed it. Unlike Israel, Becerra is very aware of the on-the-ground realities of the Inland Empire and certainly understands the inappropriateness of a Chamber of Commerce shill like Aguilar representing a struggling working class district. Becerra, who represents CA-34 (Downtown L.A., Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Hi-Fi, Boyle Heights, Chinatown), is widely viewed as a potential "first Hispanic Speaker of the House." Few in San Bernardino-- outside of Aguilar's direct circle of cronies-- have ever heard of Steve Israel. Everyone knows who Xavier Becerra is. He's one of the most well-regarded and highly respected Members of Congress in southern California.

Xavier, just now:

Eloise is a proven leader who will get the job done in Washington for the working families of the Inland Empire.  Quite frankly, I know she’ll work tirelessly on behalf of those who work hard, play by the rules and deserve a fair shot at the American Dream. That’s why today I’m endorsing Eloise Reyes for Congress.

I work with our leadership day in and day out, pushing on the obstructionist House Republicans to strengthen the ladders of opportunity and build an economy that works for all Americans. Having someone like Eloise among our ranks, I know, she will be not only an ally to myself and Leader Nancy Pelosi, but a strong voice for the Inland Empire, for California, and for working families all across the country.

Eloise is the American Dream fulfilled. Her story is mine and yours. My father was a construction worker and when my mother, a newlywed, came to this country she spoke no English. They sent their four children to college in America. Eloise started work at the age of 12 in the onion fields. Imagine the children of immigrants like Eloise and myself standing up, side by side. Imagine passing paycheck fairness, or comprehensive immigration reform, or raising the minimum wage.

This Californian is endorsing Eloise Gomez Reyes for CA-31 because she will be an effective leader and legislator for you.

...As Tip O’Neil once said, "all politics is local." I have been watching this race very closely for some time and I know that Eloise can win this race, but not without your support.

Together, we can protect and renew el sueño Americano-- the American Dream for the next generation.

One Democratic leader in the region told me just now that "this means a lot more than all those phony endorsements Israel rounded up for Pete. He couldn't even get any of the Hispanic members to endorse him other than Loretta in Orange County who has as little credibility as Pete does. And Barbara Boxer decided to stay neutral… Gavin Newsom endorsed Pete but he's the same kind of… well, what your blog always calls a 'Republican-wing-of-the-Democratic-Party' kind of Democrat… I think people are underestimating Joe [Baca] but if anyone can beat him in this district it's Eloise, not Aguilar."

If you'd like to help make sure the next Member of Congress from the Inland Empire represents working families, not wealthy special interests, you can contribute to Eloise Reyes' grassroots campaign here. Help tell Steve Israel to butt out of California Democratic primaries and keep his corrupt conservative recruits to himself.