Katherine Smith and Quang Pham at her home, Sunday March 7. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
It’s not often that we can spend a pleasant afternoon with two candidates competing for the same Congressional seat outside a traditional political setting.
In my January interview with Katherine Smith, GOP candidate for the 47th CD, she mentioned that primary challenger Quang Pham was an inspiration to her. Katherine was impressed with his coming to America as a 10 year old Vietnam war refugee and later serving our country as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot in the Gulf War.
Based on that Juice post Quang asked if I could facilitate a meeting with her to get acquainted and to share his story.
My wife and I arrived at the same time as Quang at the Smith home in Anaheim and were greeted by Katherine at their front gate where she proceeded to escort us into their cozy ranch style home.
As her husband S. Clark Smith, M.D. joined us Quang handed Katherine a signed copy of his book entitled “A Sense of Duty” which Nelson DeMille describes as “a remarkable memoir, an epic journey spanning decades, generations, cultures, war and peace.”
Note: Having purchased a copy of the book from Quang over three years ago I found it to be very informative and easy read.
The hour plus meeting was very cordial. Clarke shared stories of his experience and his medals for his service in Vietnam as a medical doctor in the third Marine Division.
Before departing we did spend a few minutes discussing the challenge for any Republican in that the 47th CD is currently occupied by Democrat Loretta Sanchez in a District that is not a Republican stronghold. As such the GOP challengers would need to win two costly elections.
It was refreshing to share the investment every candidate for elected office must be prepared to make. Funding, name recognition, endorsements, “grass roots” and several other elements to varying degrees all play a role. Quang acknowledged that Katherine was the first challenger to file.
I recently amended my prior post about Quang dropping out of the race. He corrected me to say that he was “suspending” his campaign while he reevaluates the road ahead and the impact to his family and business. As such, he still has times to activate his campaign.
This will be a very interesting GOP primary race to watch.
Great job on the hard ball interview of Quang Pham Larry.
Lam Pho.
Sorry to disappoint you but this was not scheduled to be an interview. If and when Quang re-enters the fray I will interview him. In fact it might be just after I interview Van Tran. Would that make you happier?
I imagine Quang wanted to meet with her to try sell her a copy of the vanity press publication of his book! Books like this remind me of the “Who’s Who in America” scams where they send you a letter telling you that you are famous and then charge you to list your name in a book with million other people.
All is vanity and vexation of spirit,
If anyone is vexed it is the Trannies, who are scared to death that Tran is going to lose to Smith. If Quang supports her, Tran is toast!
Larry, yes it would make me happy if you interview Tran or Quang and ask tough questions. Not in an aggressive rude obnoxious talk radio style, but real genuine questions.
Lam. Why don’t you create a list of questions you would like me to ask and I will give it my full consideration
I wouldn’t call Random House a vanity press publication. It looks like his book is coming out in paperback next month.
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780891418764&ref=rec&name=search
Reader.
You are correct. Quang told us that his book is coming out in paperback
So he was trying to sell her a book! I’ll bet you will be able to buy it in the dollar bin before the year is out!
Another Reader,
Dollar bin? Isn’t that where Van Tran’s political career is headed?
Another reader. No, he was not selling a book. He has more class than many candidates I have met and that my friend is a lengthy list.
all vanity and another reader,
if you have led an interesting life and can write legibly, maybe a publisher will buy your book and publish it too. don’t knock somebody because they’re successful.
JT
Amen!
#11 Larry, thank you. I’d appreciate that.
Let me know when you’re ready to interview Tran or Pham and give me some time, I might come up with a question or two.
Lam.
How long does it take to come up with a question or two?
In my interview of Katherine Smith I provided 31 questions. Did I miss something important?