State Senator Bob Dutton
Thursday, April 19, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Should State Senator Bob Dutton abandon his congressional campaign and support Congressman Gary Miller?
The obvious answer is yes.
Many people are hoping it will happen, but in all honesty it won’t.
Dutton, a candidate in the 31st Congressional District, is essentially in a race with Miller (R-Diamond Bar) and Mayor Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands).
Aguilar has enough baggage to fill a bus should he make a November runoff.
Dutton, on the other hand, has good record in his state service. Even though he was handicapped by being in the minority party for the duration.
Miller’s strong financial resources were already a known factor in this race.
However, Miller’s backing by the California Republican Party and National Republican Congressional Committee took Dutton by surprise.
But it should not have.
Attacking Miller, and the GOP organizations endorsing him, wasn’t a smart idea.
Miller has significant seniority in the U.S. House of Representatives, and seniority is something not to be easily discarded.
With seniority, committee assignments come into play. Duh!
This factor alone makes him a stronger bet for the Inland Empire.
So logic dictates that Miller receives support.
Dutton could have went back to the Assembly to serve his unused term, or kept his powder dry to mount a campaign for county supervisor in 2014.
The later move is one that is still very viable and would likely garner strong support.
Dutton, with his financial constraints to raising campaign cash, is relying heavily on his name identification with West Valley voters.
It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
Yes, please do Mr.Dutton.
You have outworn your welcome with us.
This author clearly does not know what he’s talking about. Miller is supported by the party because he’s a sitting Congressman, and I’m sure Mr. Dutton already knew he’d get party support, but besides the fact that the corrupt politicians in DC watch out for each other to make sure they’d have built in support if they have their own tough campaign one day, Miller:
1. is not well liked or respected. In fact his reputation is being unpleasant, arrogant, condescending, and he’s not known to work his district or try to connect with his constituents
2. He has way more baggage than aguilar has, including voting for TARP (an issue very unpopular with the Republican race and a decision he is telling voters of CD-31 that if he could go back he would do it again) snd the even more recent investigations into him for tax evasion
3. The fact that he has never lived/worked in ANY part of the district and is only running in the area to save his job
If Miller was an IE politician with a good service record, then maybe Dutton could consider backing out for Miller, but Gary Miller not only has not represented his Orange County constituents well, he has no business trying to represent the people of the Inland Empire. And sure, he has a lot of money, but will the people of the IE really let themselves be bought? It didn’t work for Meg Whitman and it won’t work for Gary Miller.
Bob Dutton has served us well for 10 years, and has been a good public servant. I’m sure he will win not just because of his name, but because of his reputation.
Why would Dutton mount a Supervisor position in 2014 against Supervisor Janice Rutherford? Rutherford is really popular and she endorsed him.
Dutton should stay in the race because of all the baggage Miller has.
What a joke. Miller is running a dirty campaign, trying to pretend that he’s up for “reelection.” It’s not the same district at all! If everyone adopted this attitude of “X candidate has more seniority and money….so we should back them”, there’d be even more corruption in government. Dutton should stay in, if only because of what a bad candidate Miller is.
I agree! Isn’t the main problem with politicians in DC is that they eventually get taken in by the money and the power? And because they have been up there awhile they feel entitled to reelection? It’s that reason that make them not listen to their constituents. Incumbency should not always mean reelection. Let’s look at the records of our candidates to see who would be the better fit
Why should we elect someone who is only in government for personal gain?! Gary Miller has used 1.28 million in federal money to make improvements around of tax payers money in HIS pocket! Talk about a D.C insider! Now he wants to represent the I.E to help improve/sell and do what ever else with his unpopular Carrari project. Sorry, the IE doesn’t need an OC washout!
During the Carrari ranch meeting, Miller told the crowd he wanted to make Carrari Ranch the new Beverly Hills.
So basically he wants to move in here, buy our votes, and then mold it to what he wants it to be? If the IE isn’t good enough for him as is why does he want to live here? Oh yes, to preserve his power.
Dutton most certainly should continue to run! He is trustworthy and takes great care in how he represents us, Miller however is a liar and he should not win based on his lies. Dutton needs to take a stand and fight with all that he has. Miller does not deserve power, he does not deserve esteem and he certainly does not deserve our votes.
I bet $5 that at least half of the pro-Dutton comments, all left with in an hour, are from the same person.
Truth is that Dutton finished fourth in fundraising behind someone who has never ran for office and a city council member. For a current state Senator and former minority leader, that is embarrassing.
That….or maybe the people in his district are actually appreciative of the work that he’s done. He’s very active in his district. I’m a small business owner and recently went to his ADA compliance workshop and found it to be very helpful. I think Dutton has represented me and the rest of Rancho well. What has Gary Miller done for us?
Trying to follow you “John”. So you are saying that no one is donating to Bob Dutton because they are “appreciative of the work he’s done?”
I was talking about the comments on the articles actually. I’m not always impressed by big money. Just because a bunch of DC lobbyists and PACs will donate to a candidate it does not mean they have community support. It makes me wonder who Gary Miller is controlled by. If you want proof that money can’t always buy an election, look at Meg Whitman. She far outraised Jerry Brown and still got her backside handed to her.
How interesting that “John” and “Anonymous” would both reference Whitman in the same way. Starting to think all of the Anti-Miller/Pro-Dutton comments are the same person.
A person that just happens to be going to Dutton events and Carrari Ranch meetings.
Dude, pick up a newspaper, people talk about that all the time. It’s not like I said anything groundbreaking about Whitman. Though your relentless hammering of your theory does make me wonder about *your* affiliation with the Gary Miller campaign.
I like Miller. He has my vote.
“Picking up a newspaper,” does not show why your comments, and those by “Anonymous,” are so similar.
I haven’t seen any news article that uses Whitman as an example for this race. But you and Annonymous just happened to make the same point. Interesting!
Most articles on this blog have 1 or 2 comments. But for some reason there are six comments, all made with in an hour, that are very similar to yours. Coincidence? I think not.
Believe what you want dude. I speak for myself and I don’t need to pretend to be multiple people. Regardless it doesn’t matter who says what as long as it’s truthful. It doesn’t matter if I say something, you say something, or a third party says something, truth is truth. And you’re perfectly entitled to vote for whoever you want to vote for. Meanwhile I’m going to vote for who I think will do the best job representing me, and lobbyist money doesn’t impress me. Sorry. I don’t want my representative beholden to people who don’t have our best interests in mind. But maybe I’m alone in that.
Dutton is a failure. And he endorses Democrats like James Ramos. Please!
Not only is Miller a carpetbagger, he is a Richard’s/Burum tool.
A lot of Republicans endorsed Ramos. Not surprising when you consider all the scandal that Neil Derry has been wrapped up in during his term. And let’s not also forget that Derry got to his current post by attacking a sitting Republican Supervisor. He’s not exactly a role model for the party.
PS. Dutton’s a failure? He’s the first Republican leader to hold the line on taxes in 10 years in California. Doesn’t sound like a failure to me.
WRONG! The “republicans” that endorsed Ramos was for GREED… Ramos promised to aid with their re-elections- plain and simple.
The sitting republican Derry attacked was a CROOK, and other than lining his pockets, he was also funneling our tax dollars to his then girlfriend at the Mental facility.Hansberger was not representing our interest…we are now faithful and forever loyal to Derry for aiding in getting rid of Hansberger, a true corrupt and dangerous individual.
Dutton endorsed that democrat slob Ramos? Thats it. He is done. No vote from me again!
At least Dutton understands the Inland Empire unlike that carpetbagger, Miller. I heard he is running here because he doesn’t stand a chance in his natural territory. Plus, he doesn’t even have endorsements from the local area such as Congressman Jerry Lewis or Congressman David Drier, that should say something right there.
My my, how quickly we forget: http://www.pe.com/local-news/san-bernardino-county/san-bernardino-county-headlines-index/20111213-s.b.-county-derry-vote-still-in-limbo.ece
And you think Hansberger was the crook? I’m a lifelong Republican and I’m rooting for Ramos. Derry gives Republicans a bad name.
By the way you’re throwing around a lot of accusations without evidence. Ramos was promising to line their pockets? Sounds like a Derry staffer to me. Good luck on that tough election of yours
Also I heard that Miller endorsed Derry, then when he found out about all the trouble he got into during his term he pulled his endorsement. What does that tell you about Derry? Also, what does that tell you about how little Miller knows about what’s been going on in the Inland Empire? And that’s who you want to serve you? Really?
Endorsing a dem is not nearly as bad as “buying” votes and endorsments. Gary thinks he can buy this district?! He will soon learn that the I.E. (a district he knows nothing about) isn’t full of sellouts. Go back to the O.C
It doesn’t look like my first comment posted so let me try again. Maybe this will refresh your memory of Derry’s “good work” on the Board: http://www.pe.com/local-news/san-bernardino-county/san-bernardino-county-headlines-index/20111213-s.b.-county-derry-vote-still-in-limbo.ece
And you think Hansberger was the corrupt one? Really?
I’m a life long Republican, I’ve never voted for a Democrat in my life, and I’m casting my vote for Ramos, like many other Republicans I know. Unlike Derry, he has integrity.
Dutton has held the conservative line pretty well. I know nothing of Miller, but I am torn when either side continues to seek office when they appear to have been there too long.
Gary Miller entered politics in the 80′s. Sounds like long enough to me.
Rita, you made me look it up. Miller does have local endorsements. According to his web site he has been endorsed by Sups Derry, Ovitt and Mitzelfelt. Also the Mayors of Rialto, Fontana and Upland. There are many other local officials as well.
http://www.garymillerforcongress.com/endorsements.php
Do Your Homework, how come Congressman Lewis and Congressman Drier didn’t endorse their fellow Congressman?
I don’t really care if one Congressman endorses another because they are not endorsing someone that will represent them like local officials are. It is the same reason I don’t care that Dutton has a long list of Assemblymembers and state Senators supporting him.
Besides I disagree with Dreier on immigration, so his endorsement doesn’t mean much to me. The only Congressional endorsement that Miller has that impresses me is Tom McClintock’s because he served with Miller and Dutton.
http://stagerightshow.com/2010/06/04/republican-gary-miller-earmarks-land-deals-and-fbi-investigations/
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/the_black_diaspora_news/38023
Some looks into the “ethics” of Gary Miller. More to come later.
Here’s a bit more
http://b.3cdn.net/dccc/e4e88baa0dce553a78_uum6bn0ka.pdf
Anonymous, Gary Miller never pulled his endorsement, but Dutton got into a &*%$ storm because he endorsed Ramos. Gary Miller was very pleased at the Young Republicans endorsement meeting when he was talking to Derry.
I’ve been following this blog for $its and giggles and all I can say is people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones!
My vote is for Dutton…patiently waiting for June 5th.
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/31/local/me-miller31
That article is over 5 years old. If he did something wrong they would have pressed charges by now, or at a minimum another article that they were still investigating.
Gary Miller *is* still under FBI investigation, as well as investigation by the House under the leadership of Congressman Issa (a fellow Republican I might add). That was the first article I could pull on it really quickly as I was heading out the door. If you want me to post more it’s easy enough to find. Just don’t dare me to do homework, because I will do it.
By the way, only one of my links was old. One of them in particular is a month old, and indicates a current tax evasion investigation of Gary Miller.
Uh, just because an article is from a month ago doesn’t mean it is recent information. Your 2012 article cites a April 2011 DCCC article that you also linked to. That article cites the 2007 news article and a 2009 article about the Ethics Committee. You keep saying he “IS still under investigation” by the FBI but show no proof. The newest info you show is 3 years old. It seems to me that since 2009 the only ones still pushing this story are Democrats because they are the only ones writing about it.
How interesting. I did a google search and only one Dutton supporter is out there saying Miller is being investigated by the FBI. Dutton’s dad, Ted Dutton.
http://sbsentinel.com/2012/04/suggestions-about-him-inaccurate-dutton-says/
Ted is that you?
Lol no, I’m not Ted Dutton. But thanks for the evening’s laugh.
You know I spent a bit of time re-reading all the comments on this blog tonight. We’ve really had quite a long discussion, but in the end it all boils down to who would be a better leader for the Inland Empire.
Personally when I’m selecting who I’m going to vote for, I like for two things, and that’s voting record and integrity (the obvious exception is with a first time candidate who has no voting record).
From what we’ve discussed on this blog, no one has had anything bad to say about Dutton’s integrity or his voting record. By all accounts, he seems to be a stand up guy. Besides the blog’s claim that Dutton attacked Miller (which honestly I’d like to see evidence of because I’ve never seen Dutton say anything negative about Miller and I’ve never had a phone call or a mailer tell me otherwise)no one has really been able to say anything concretely negative about him. As has been pointed out he’s “held the conservative line” as one commenter said and he’s kept his nose clean. The only criticism he’s really had was his endorsement of Ramos, and frankly to me even as a Republican I don’t see an issue with that. It’s not immoral to endorse someone of the opposite party, especially when the Republican is fighting felony charges.
Let’s contrast that to Gary Miller. In comments to this blog and news articles, both his voting record and integrity have been called into question. In his voting record it was pointed out earlier that he voted for TARP, and it was mentioned that he was unapologetic. I know other House Republicans voted for it as well and eventually went on to apologize and say it was a bad vote, but Miller is sticking by it, and I think that will be a huge issue to the Republican base.
As for his integrity, there was the FBI investigation. I’m reasonable and am willing to be held accountable, so thank you Do Your Homework. I read the DCCC article when it came out and did not realize it was referencing an investigation that started awhile ago. I’d heard it repeated by several people that he was under investigation by the FBI (I had not read the article you posted by Ted Dutton so I was unaware he was on record saying that)so it was not a far stretch for me to believe. So I’m willing to apologize for my claim that it was current since I can’t back it up with anything from 2012 stating that it’s current, and I won’t propagate it anymore when having political discussions with friends and family.
That being said, 5 years is relatively not that long ago. Something was clearly fishy, the FBI wouldn’t be investigating a sitting Congressman without good reason. FBI investigations are also highly secretive and can take long periods of time, so it’s possible it’s still going on, it’s possible that it’s closed, regardless we’ll probably never know all the details. But it’s worth noting it’s not the only time Miller’s integrity was called into question:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-06-17-campaign-funds_N.htm
USA Today points out that Gary Miller has used campaign funds that he’s raised to make payments to his own company. I don’t think that’s illegal, but it seems pretty unethical to me. That seems like a Congressman trying to use his donors to increase his personal wealth, and if you ask me, that’s unethical. Frankly if Gary Miller represented me currently (in other words if I lived in the OC instead of the IE) and I had contributed to his campaign, I’d be pretty ticked to find out he was using my donation to pay himself.
We call upon our leaders to have integrity and stay above reproach, and it does not appear that Gary Miller has done that. And I know the other side will want to come back with “that article came out 5 years ago” but again, that’s really not that long ago, and people’s histories are important, especially when looking at someone’s character. When you look at that coupled with the FBI investigation, an objective observer can see that something doesn’t smell right, and when one smells smoke, there’s usually a fire.
We can get bogged down in technicalities, but the voters should look at everything and decide for themselves. Who do you think will be a good leader? Who do you trust to represent you with integrity? Therefore for reasons of his clean voting record and clean background, I support Dutton for Congress.
WOW ! It’s a shame that many have to take the low roads on this campaign. I hate to see us fighting within our GOP family. I and my family have lived here in Rancho Cucamonga since 1979. I have seen this area develop into what it is today and know many of the folks in the Inland Empire. I am not going to bash anyone ! I feel that both Dutton & Miller are probably good guys. We ALL have our issues. Some will be thrown around before this campaign is over ! So sad ! But we need to look at who would best to represent us here in the IE. I have looked at who has been involved in issues that matter to us. I have talked to many residents in the District. It appears to me that Mr. Dutton’s name has come up the majority of the time. Then I looked at who the previous Congressman (Drier/Lewis) from this area endorse. Then I looked at who has lived here locally with us all these years. Then I considered who comes to our local events & functions. After all of this. it is obvious why Senator Dutton will be supported locally and elected to this new CD31 seat. Money does not always buy things. Most of these campaign staffers, consultants, endorsers & even bloggers do not live in the District. The residents & voters of of this District will not allow outsiders to influence our vote, regardless of how many signs, flyers, & commercials we are exposed to. We are all smarter than that !
Zeke….excellent comment.
Here’s some homework…….have you seen carpetbagger’s TV commercials yet????? I would just like to add that a person’s pattern means everything. I think Miller’s pattern is very clear and that is to enrich himself through public office. SO SAD!
Excellent comments Zeke. And no I haven’t seen the commercials. I actually don’t have cable.
Thanks for the fun debate everyone. I haven’t had a good political debate in awhile. At this point I’ve said everything I have to say and it looks like everyone is making up their minds one way or the other so I’m bowing out. The important thing of course is that everyone votes. That’s one of the core principles of being an American, right?
Have a good night and a great weekend everyone.