Advertise Here

Deliver your message to thousands of readers every day.

Our readers are influential opinion makers - politicians, journalists and activists.

Our latest headlines

About Us

The California Progress Report is published by Frank D. Russo, a longtime observer of and participant in California politics.

About Frank Russo.
About California Progress Report.

Got a news tip? Want to write a guest column? Contact Frank here.

Hard Hitting Ads Against Denham in California Senate Recall Election Begin Running and Ask: “Don’t We Deserve Better?”

By Frank D. Russo

"We Deserve Better - Yes on the Recall of Jeff Denham" launched a television and radio campaign across the 12th Senate District today, holding Denham accountable for his failure to support schools, his use of campaign funds for trips to Las Vegas and Sedona and his secret pay raises.

Gary Robbins, a local leader of the recall effort echoed the theme of the commercials: "Voters who know the truth about Jeff Denham - how he spent campaign funds on trips to Las Vegas and Sedona, how he hurt our schools by holding up the budget and how he secretly raised his pay three different times - think they deserve better.''

Here is the “Sleeping” ad to be seen on television in the district between now and the June 3 recall election called by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:

The Script for the TV ad "Sleeping" reads as follows:

We sent Jeff Denham to Sacramento.
So how did he wind up with jet lag?
He spent thousands on travel - while the Senate was in session.
Airline tickets. Trips to Vegas. And a Sedona spa.
When he does show up, he's sleepwalking.
Denham held up the budget, hurting our schools
Denham said he wasn't taking raises - then secretly raised his pay by 20 percent.
The Fresno Bee called it "not quite honest."
Don't you deserve better?
Vote yes on the recall

The claim that “He spent thousands on travel - while the Senate was in session” can be found in California Fair Political Practices Commission documents: Friends of Jeff Denham, Form 460 for 1/1/2007 to 6/30/2007, Schedule G, Page 39 and Jeff Denham for State Senate, Form 460 for 1/1/2007 to 6/30/2007, Schedule G, Page 33.

The claim that “Denham said he wasn't taking raises - then secretly raised his pay by 20 percent” is based o n a Jeff Denham letter to State Controller Steve Westly, on December 26, 2006 and another he sent to State Controller John Chiang on December 2, 2007.

A similar radio ad “Travel” will also be airing, with the following script:

WOMAN: The MGM grand? Sedona?
I thought we sent Jeff Denham to Sacramento.
MAN: Wait a minute. The MGM is in Vegas.
WOMAN: Well, Denham has been racking up the frequent flier miles.
MAN: To Vegas and Sedona?
WOMAN: uh hm -- to the number one "Destination Spa." www.enchantmentresort.com
MAN: Sounds like a free vacation.
WOMAN: More like a recipe for jetlag. When Denham finally makes it to Sacramento, he's practically sleepwalking.
MAN: What do you mean?
WOMAN: He held up the budget, hurting our schools. And remember how he said he wouldn't take pay raises?
MAN: Oh, you don't mean --
WOMAN: You guessed it. Denham secretly raised his pay - three times - when he thought no one was looking. The Fresno Bee called it "not quite honest."
MAN: Well that's an understatement.
WOMAN: And that's why I'm voting yes on the recall. After all, don't we deserve better?

Ouch!

Posted on April 03, 2008

Comments

At the time of this writing, there is not ONE PERSON running to replace Denham should he be recalled.

Nice plan Perata...

Posted by: Jay Gould at April 3, 2008 01:53 PM

Frank, you gotta be kidding me with :

"Gary Robbins, a local leader of the recall effort echoed the theme of the commercials: "Voters who know the truth about Jeff Denham - how he spent campaign funds on trips to Las Vegas and Sedona, how he hurt our schools by holding up the budget and how he secretly raised his pay three different times - think they deserve better.''

Where is the recall for Democrat Speaker Nunez Spending HIS campaign funds on himself? French Wine, Louis Vutton clothes, trips to soccer games in Europe, etc., etc.

Democrat Carole Migden? Where is her recall for spending campaign funds inappropriately?

Secretly raised his pay? The ENTIRE LEGISLATURE got a pay raise, democrats included!!! They ALL got pay raises, voted for it themselves and it wasn't a "secret".

He held up the budget? He had company, a few republicans wanting some budget cuts last year and got NONE. Now we have a $16 Billion dollar budget deficit to deal with.

Just WHO really needs to be recalled here?

Do folks you feed this stuff to really believe it?

Posted by: Jay Gould at April 3, 2008 02:02 PM

Get Email Updates

Want the California Progress Report by email? Once a week, we'll send you the latest and greatest headlines.

Stat tracker