Looks like Kehoe isn’t going to lie down. Her camp is making it more than clear that labor will stand with Kehoe. OK, what does that mean? Presumably ‘with Kehoe’ means if Gonzalez doesn’t run, ’cause if Gonzalez is in the race labor would rally around her. Also means Fletcher simply wouldn’t have the money to compete. Additional rumor: Gonzalez favors Fletcher over Kehoe. Why? Not that close to the Democrats to know…
Comments 53
Why should “Labor” be trusted at all? “Labor” knew about Hizzoner’s wandering hands and insisted on backing him for Mayor anyway
Brian,
Can you support that claim with any facts?
HQ: I wondered where you were? Good to see you’re still on board the sinking ship with Filner. Are you calling Vince Hall, Lorena Gonzalez, Marco Gonzalez, Todd Gloria, and Toni Atkins, liars?!
“Can you support that claim with any facts?”
I can’t. I can only trust what Lori Saldana said. Is Lori Saldana a liar?
The fact that Saldana endorsed Filner less than 18 months after she made allegations of harassment (though I don’t believe she said sexual harassment), tells you all you need to know about Saldana.
As I see it, Kehoe is the very likely front-runner. She can raise massive amounts of money quickly from all her special interest groups centered in Sacramento — Fletcher can’t do that. Neither can Todd Gloria.
Gonzalez can’t run in a non-Gerrymandered race — she’s too closely tied to labor, high taxes and pension debacles.
Rapid fundraising is key in a short race like this. Labor loves Kehoe. Loves her even more than Filner, I suspect.
The fact that Kehoe was a big player in the city pension debacle is a handicap. She’ll try to rewrite that history. Our job is to make sure her history in this key area is known to all.
Fortunately in a special election, the low information voters (who overwhelmingly and mindlessly vote Democrat) will not be in evidence at the polls. That’s “our” side’s best hope of winning the coming election.
Hypocrisy, stand tall for Filner. You da man! Or whatever.
Again, you demonstrate both your courage and your political savvy by posting anonymously. A dearth of the former, a lot of the latter.
Can you hear me groaning? Kehoe? If she has a serious shot at getting elected mayor of this city, it is an indication of how far we’ve fallen. We desperately need a leader; not another follower, not another lackey.
Richard and Dan,
Please read what I write, not what you expect me to write and then tell me where I defended Filner’s alleged actions? I think you will find, if you haven’t already noticed, that Democrats have no tolerance for unwanted sexual harassment even if the perpetrator is one of our own.
All I asked was that Brian defend his statement that Labor long knew that Filner was a sexual harasser. It seems to me that once it became known, the Democrats spoke up very quickly. I could be wrong but I think you will be hard pressed to come up with a comparable example of Republicans repudiating one of their own so quickly.
Did we miss the part where Saldana took it to the Dems two years ago and nothing was done?
“The fact that Saldana endorsed Filner less than 18 months after she made allegations of harassment (though I don’t believe she said sexual harassment), tells you all you need to know about Saldana.”
“All I asked was that Brian defend his statement that Labor long knew that Filner was a sexual harasser. It seems to me that once it became known, the Democrats spoke up very quickly.”
Got it. You think Saldana lied about notifying the Democratic leadership, right? Jess Durfee acknowledged that they knew about Filner’s “trangressions” but said they kindasorta hoped for the best.
Is Jess Durfee lying too?
Brian and Greg, you just don’t understand. The Democrat Party county leadership never talks with the labor bosses. Nope, nope, nope. These clueless labor bosses knew NOTHING.
NOOOOTTTTHHHHHIIIINNNGGGGGG.
Innocent union boss babes in the woods that they are.
Is there ANYONE familiar with local politics who is not aware with Filner’s LOONNNNNGGGGGGG history of sexual harassment? And I’m not talking about just saying unkind or insulting things to women. I’m talking the unwanted touchy-feeley kind of harassment.
Indeed, many of us know of at LEAST one woman who can tell of the harrowing experiences they had with Filner. I know one — a woman who was twice abused by Filner. She detailed the incidents to me, but will not come forward (at least up until now). Like all the women — she is very reluctant to come forward — especially since she’s a Republican.
Imagine the response if a REPUBLICAN woman came forward with harrowing tales about Filner that the Democrat women presented to Donna Frye, etc.
And let’s remember, Filner admits that “he needs help.” He knows he is an abuser — what remains is to discover how BAD an abuser he is.
Details of his abuses will come out shortly — and the victims will likely multiply.
How embarrassing, Hypocrisy — for you to pretend that this is all news to the Democrat leadership, and ” that once it became known, the Democrats spoke up very quickly.” With that stunningly false assertion, you’ve lost your last shred of credibility — just like your guy Filner.
Shame.
Let me get this straight. Every one familiar with local politics is aware that Filner has a long history of sexual harassment. Is that the story? Then please tell me why neither DeMaio nor any of the independent committees formed on his behalf ever used that information in the campaign.
I believe Bonnie Dumanis raised the issue during the mayoral race, and the Filner supporters countered that his voting record proved he was pro-women. I do also recall a commercial by some independent group reminding everyone about the airport harassment issue.
The bottom line is the Democratic party leaders knew of these issues and of his temperament, and they should not have supported him for mayor.
Dear Hypocrisy – we did. See ads.
So Duane why didn’t any of this take?
The only ad I remember was about the incident with the TSA agent, a very different charge than that of sexual harassment.
I believe the Republicans were as concerned about a potential Mayor Filner as the Democrats were about a potential Mayor DeMaio. If Richard Rider is correct that most of the readers here know AT LEAST one woman who was sexually harassed by Filner, I can’t believe that there weren’t ads and daily press conferences throughout the general election.
“The only ad I remember was about the incident with the TSA agent, a very different charge than that of sexual harassment.”
Do you not understand how the two are interrelated? I”m happy to refer you to sexual harassment training if you don’t understand the connection.
Brian,
From Wikipedia: “Sexual harassment is bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors.”
The incident with the TSA agent was not sexual harassment.
Hypocrisy, you are obviously an insider, savvy with what has been going on in San Diego. Yet you play the ignorant observer.
You know full well why DeMaio could not do such ads in the campaign. DeMaio ET AL could not come forward with such ads without proof.
For whatever reasons, up to now women have been reluctant to come forward and initiate sexual harassment charges against a powerful Congressman, the man now a major mayor. A single “he said, she said” doesn’t go well when the powerful are backing the “he.”
Somehow several women decided to do something together — all allies of Filner and the Democrat Party. That was the tipping point that will topple Filner’s bronze statue.
But it’s been common knowledge among many folks who spend time in local politics, and soon to FINALLY become common PUBLIC knowledge. The number of such incidents (perhaps crimes?) will now start to come to light.
The Democrats have overlooked and perhaps covered up Filner’s transgressions for years (perhaps DECADES), while the Republicans lacked witnesses willing to come forward.
Why this is all becoming news only now, if Filner’s putative harassment has been known for so long?
And will the women step forward voluntarily, or will they be dragged into this against their wishes?
“Why this is all becoming news only now…?”
Part of it is this: Being one of 435 in the unwritten DC cloak of secrecy is different than being BMOC in local retail politics.
Richard,
I must not be much of an insider since, until last week, I had never heard anyone claim that Filner was a sexual harasser. On the other, you claim to have known that for a long time and yet you kept quiet about it throughout the election.
Barry, your answer makes sense; it’s what I had thought might have occurred. If Filner kept continuing his putative behavior as mayor, it would be much more visible.
I just hope some of the anonymous accusers voluntarily reveal their identities. The Reader has its anonymous accuser; Channel 10 says it has another woman. But how do we know they’re not the same woman? Anonymous sourcing is full of such pitfalls.
Hypocrisy, you familiar with “defamation” lawsuits? NO WAY I was going to come forward with undocumented accusations. And you know that. Your credibility remains at the “zero” marker.
But watch and learn, Grasshopper. Check Ch 10’s story I just posted up. The avalanche has started to rumble down the hill towards bully Bob. It won’t be long before the women coming forward both multiply and go public.
Barry is correct. For many years, Filner could indeed do whatever he wanted. Congressmen are sometimes legally above the law (they exempt themselves), but more frequently are protected by the media.
In such circumstances, no woman wanted to come forward. Who can blame them? Not only would one be abused by the press — one’s employment in government can end with such a revelation.
“Hypocrisy questioned” is boldly working on his future reputation as the guy who defended sexual predator Bob Filner due to his views on labor issues. Good move. I am positive your alias will protect your anonymity forever.
I think Hypocrisy’s name as passed its expiration date. Time to come up with a new and exciting pseudonym.
Ya know,
You are the second person on this blog to claim that I am defending Filner or his alleged sexual harassment. I ask you, or anyone else, to cite where I have defended his behavior.
Richard,
“NO WAY I was going to come forward with undocumented accusations.”
Thanks for the laugh of the day.
Richard,
Ya Know, Mole, Joe the Small Business Owner, D7 Voter, gopmomofthree, Ms. Right… Why aren’t you in the least bit interested in their identities?
“On the other, you claim to have known that for a long time and yet you kept quiet about it throughout the election.”
Oh no you don’t. You know who did know about it? Lori Saldana and Jess Durfee for certain–Francine Busby, Lorena Gonzalez, Donna Frye, and Marco Gonzalez probably had a strong suspicion.
Saldana and Durfee knew about this two years ago and still endorsed Filner for Mayor. This mess is 100% on the Democratic Party of San Diego County. If it wants any shred of credibility, for the next few election cycles, it better clean it up fast
Brian,
Like the way the Republican party handled our Governator or Supervisor Horn? Please, at least prominent Democrats are speaking out against against the first Democrat elected mayor in over 30 years. Where were the Republicans when it was one of their own?
By the way, do you now the difference between treating people badly and sexual harassment?
Hypocrisy: Bronwyn, the ex-fiancee, announced today, that Bad Boy Bob sent harassing and sexually explicit texts to women, in front of her. Now is the time for you to call for his resignation. If you want to maintain a shred of integrity on this blog, you need to call for Filner to resign.
“Like the way the Republican party handled our Governator or Supervisor Horn?”
Tu quoque. We’re talking about the cover-up of Bob Filner’s serial sexual harassment by the San Diego Democratic Party
“By the way, do you now the difference between treating people badly and sexual harassment?”
I do. Treating people badly is something I sometimes do in a long line at Starbucks. Sticking your tongue down a women’s throat, when not welcome, and getting locked in a FilnerDance is far beyond me forgetting to say please and thank you when I dint get my caffeine.
Let me try this again:
1. If Bob Filner is guilty of sexual harassment,and it appears likely that he is, I believe he should resign and should resign yesterday.
2. My above statement is more than I have ever heard from any Republican when it was a Republican whose behavior was in question.
3. There is still this silly little problem of” innocent until proven guilty” and the” right to face your accuser.” It is amazing how those who say we must strictly follow the Constitution, can ignore the Constitution when it suits their political purposes.
One more time I will be point out two facts:
1. Despite your claims that I did, no one here has cited any time that I have supported Filner’s alleged behavior.
2. Nor has anyone been able to point out a time that prominent Republicans have gone after one of their own the way prominent Democrats have gone after Filner.
Brian,
You claimed that Filner’s incident with the TSA agent was sexual harassment. I simply pointed out that it wasn’t. I am glad to read that you now know the difference.
I am still wondering why neither DeMaio nor the PAC’s that supported him used Filner’s proclivity for sexual harassment in the campaign, if in fact it was know to everyone.
Hypocrisy,
For what it’s worth, I’ve previously explained on Rostra why I use a screen name. In a nutshell, I work in the private sector. I am not involved in politics. I enjoy reading about, and participating, in it. There are many I have business dealings with that may or may not agree with my political involvement, and I don’t want them googling my name and seeing posts here or on any other sites.
Furthermore, I have disclosed to several Rostra regulars my identity. If it really matters to you, we can arrange to meet at a Starbucks and learn each other’s real names.
Hypocrisy: Are you calling Filner’s ex-fiancee a liar too? With the way you hem and haw, and qualify your opinions to the max, you must be a labor union employee. Man up and demand that Filner resign.
“My above statement is more than I have ever heard from any Republican when it was a Republican whose behavior was in question.”
Then you didn’t know me when I said Duke Cunningham’s actions amounted to treason and his punishment should fit that crime.
Guess what? Republicans actually DO call on colleagues to resign…privately…and their calls are usually answered. This is what the Dems tried to do with Filner and it backfired because the man is all about self-preservation
“Nor has anyone been able to point out a time that prominent Republicans have gone after one of their own the way prominent Democrats have gone after Filner.”
This, on its face, is a false statement. Democrats are two years LATE in addressing this problem. Don’t ask me if I knew that they knew, ask Lori Saldana (or is she a liar?)
I don’t think you’re excusing Filner’s behavior but, for fun, pretend you own a small enough business to affect your personal net worth but a large enough business to sue. If Bob Filner were your COO, would you (a) fire him immediately, (b) negotiate a quiet severance package, or (c) stick by him and tell the accusers to toughen up?
If you knew this COO had a history, you’d opt for #2 and hope for the best. That’s what the Democrats are trying to do
Brian,
There is a difference between you and “prominent Republicans.” Sorry, but that is a fact. And I don’t remember any Republicans, including you, saying anything about Cunningham until he was charged with a crime. And as I said, trying to stay more on the sexual harassment point, it was crickets when it came to Schwarzenegger and Horn.
As for your last point, if this was the private sector, I would fire Filner based on what he admitted to. However, this is not the private sector and you can’t fire (you can recall) an elected official. I assumed you already knew that.
Dan,
I am not calling Filner’s ex-fiancee a liar, but assuming that the recipients of the explicit texts were willing recipients, how exactly is that sexual harassment?
D7 Voter,
I do not care who you are. Richard Rider seems to have an unnatural obsession about my identity. I was simply asking him why he didn’t seem to care about all of the other anonymous posters on this site.
“Sorry, but that is a fact.”
It is—you’re right.
You’re missing my point. Prominent politicians (in both parties) generally don’t let colleagues’ scandals become public problems—they address these things privately. Sometimes, it’s necessary (Ted Stevens, Larry Craig, Todd Akin) and it happens.
The San Diego Democratic Party tasted a chance at victory SO much that they looked the other way. This was n
Brian,
I guess the private conversations weren’t effective with Horn and Schwarzenegger and isn’t Ted Stevens still a Senator?
I know you want it to be true that high ranking Democrats looked the other way on this, but it just isn’t. Read the entire Voice article including Jess Durfee’s response and then ask yourself if anyone in the Party hierarchy had first-hand knowledge of any sexual harassment by Bob Filner. Heck, Jess Durfee only had third-hand information to start an investigation with and none of the women would even talk to him.
I know you are a strict Constitutionist (if that is even a word) – Before a person’s career is ruined, doesn’t he deserve a presumption of innocence and the right to face his accuser? Or do you believe that anonymous stories re-told by another should be sufficient? This is a serious question because despite our political sparring, I have come to respect your opinions.
Hypocrisy: If I am ever accused of anything, I’m hiring you as my defense attorney. You really are the ultimate spin master.
As Donna Frye mentioned in her press conference today, she personally talked to several women who said Filner made aggressive, unwanted sexual advances. As mentioned in Donna’s press conference, having Filner’s slimy tongue forced down a woman’s throat constitutes sexual harassment. Filner restraining a woman and putting his hands inside her bra is sexual harassment.
As the ultimate leftist apologist, even this should be enough for you to demand his resignation. Just asking, is your real name Bob Filner? If so, it would explain a lot.
Dan,
I have said this a few times now. If what Donna alleges is true, Bob should resign and these women should sue him. Period. However, I also believe that second-hand information (usually referred to as hearsay) is not enough to convict a person. Do you disagree?
“isn’t Ted Stevens still a Senator?”
No. Stevens dies in plane crash in 2010 but lost to Begich in 2008.
“Before a person’s career is ruined, doesn’t he deserve a presumption of innocence and the right to face his accuser? ”
Absolutely and Filner is playing that card. I’d say (like Stevens), that the members of his party have made it impossible for him to govern, though.
Brian,
My bad on Stevens. Thanks for the correction – see it isn’t that hard to admit a mistake.
And you are correct that it will be difficult for Filner to govern under these circumstances, but he has hired Walt Eckard, an outstanding COO, to manage the day-to-day operation of the City. Also, do you really think it good precedent to allow second-hand accusations to force any elected official from office?
“Also, do you really think it good precedent to allow second-hand accusations to force any elected official from office?”
I depends. If Mayor Jones (R) had a slew of these accusations, presented by anonymous people, to Congressmen Adams, Brown, and Cherry (all Republicans), and the accusers were worried about retribution, I might want Mayor Jones to resign rather than drag the City and Party through the sewer.
Filner is entitled to confront his accusers and, as much as it will pain me to see San Diego become the butt of every late night talk show host’s joke, I”ll continue to ask:
“How could you Democrats have ENDORSED this predator?”
“How could you Democrats have ENDORSED this predator?”
“How could you Democrats have ENDORSED this predator?”
“How could you Democrats have ENDORSED this predator?”
“How could you Democrats have ENDORSED this predator?”
I think he did it but, as you point out, I’m not detective, prosecutor, judge, jury, nor executioner. If Bob wants his day in court, he should stand his ground. I won’t cry too hard for the San Diego Democratic Party’s loss of credibility in the voters’ eyes
I absolutely agree Americans are innocent until proven guilty. However, in this case, and what I believe Marco Gonzales touched on this morning, the City of San Diego has a Zero Tolerance Harassment Policy. Filner admitted in is video statement that he has violated that policy. If the chief executive officer violates a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY of his / her organization, he / she needs to step down. He / She does not need to proven guilty in a court of law.
As to Walt Ekard, I believe he has at least two daughters whose jobs potentially could require meetings with the mayor of San Diego. Would he be comfortable letting them meet with Filner?
At the risk of sounding repetitious and I have probably already crossed that line already, Filner has not admitted to sexually harassing anyone. In fact, he categorically denied it. Please listen to his speech.
As for your last question, I think that fact that Ekard took the job speaks volumes.
Hypocrisy: Filner is guilty. He already admitted his guilt in his tearful YouTube video. He needs to resign to take responsibility for his actions. Don’t defy your leftist masters and continue to defend this sexual predator. Unless of course, you approve of him being a sexual predator.
But you’re hoping he does a Bill Clinton and finds a way to stay in office. Why else did Tom Shepard bring in Ekard? Ekard is akin to putting lipstick on a pig…the pig being Filner.