LOL, just got two press releases at the same exact second, with both Van and Loretta pleased as punch with their performance.  I’ll put Van Tran’s release first because it’s shorter.  But – what are you doing reading this?  You should be listening to the third candidate, Ceci Iglesias, on Radio Orange Juice from 7 to 9.  Here … click the big Orange Radio and then the green arrow.

Call-in number 877-805-4208

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Okay, Van Tran’s description of how things went down today:

SANCHEZ TRIUMPHS IN DEBATE WITH ASSEMBLYMAN VAN TRAN ON KOCE

Assemblyman Avoids Stating Position on Immigration Reform; Ducks Abysmal Record on Education, Health Care, Safeguards for Consumers

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – Championing her strong record of creating jobs and fighting for middle class families, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) decisively won a debate against California Assemblyman Van Tran on public television station KOCE earlier this evening. During the debate, Sanchez repeatedly criticized Tran for his role in the state’s $19 billion budget crisis and for consistently voting against the interests of Orange County families.

“In this election you have a clear choice,” Rep. Sanchez said. “You can either vote for a failed Sacramento politician who cannot pass a budget, supports deep cuts to school funding, and whose only idea on health care is to repeal it. Or you can vote for me, a leader who has created jobs, made sure our schools stayed open, and fought for better access to health care and cheaper prescription drugs.”

“Van Tran claims to be ‘very proud of his record,’ but the reality is he spent more time focusing on the use of teleprompters than explaining his votes against seniors, children, and middle class families in central Orange County,” said Caroline Hogan, press secretary for the Committee to Re-Elect Loretta Sanchez. “He repeatedly evaded questions on whether he supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and referred to lower prescription drug costs for seniors and quality, affordable health care as ‘socialist.’ How much more out-of-touch can Van Tran be with the people of Orange County?”

Under Tran’s tenure in the State Legislature, California experienced the longest budget impasse in state history – a 100-day long spectacle that caused national embarrassment and resulted in painful cuts for local schools, health care providers, and working families. The rest of Tran’s legislative record is even worse – he voted to slash $500 million in funding for education (cuts called “devastating” by local teachers); to privatize Social Security (a plan that would have put the retirement funds of over 400,000 Orange County seniors at risk); to deny working families a raise in the minimum wage; to cut Medi-Cal reimbursements by 10%; to weaken safeguards for California consumers; and to suspend property tax deferrals for low-income seniors in Orange County. These actions are part of Tran’s long history of voting against the interests of his constituents on a wide range of issues.

In addition to trying to duck his atrocious record, Tran refused to explain multiple votes that had direct benefits for special interest groups. In 2005, Tran voted for a bill that allowed utility companies to charge their customers a surcharge fee for credit card transactions. [1] Following the vote, from 2005 through 2008, Tran reported receiving $18,899 in campaign contributions from utility companies that had not previously contributed to him. And in 2006, Tran voted against a bill that required mobile telephone companies to provide a 21-day grace period to new customers who wished to cancel the contract. [2] From 2007 through 2008, Tran received $9,000 in campaign contributions from special interest opponents of the bill that had never contributed to Tran prior to his vote.

“My opponent’s voting record in Sacramento shows he is a politician who allows donations from special interests to guide his decisions – not the best interests of the families he represents,” Rep. Sanchez said during the debate. “I have always been an independent voice for Orange County. I wake up each and every day to fight for the people in our community.”

Unlike Van Tran, Congresswoman Sanchez’s decisions are guided by the people who live in California’s 47th Congressional District. She fought for quality, affordable health care for Californians; strengthened Social Security for our seniors; provided critical investments for local infrastructure projects, including the extension of the 91 and widening of the 22; and created dozens of new tax cuts for working families and small businesses. Her record is about creating jobs, fighting for our small businesses, educating our children, and making our community safer.

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So… from THOSE two self-interested reviews, I gather:

1. Van wouldn’t give any straight answers on immigration (which is understandable as he’s having to appeal to both Latinos and anti-immigrant rightwingers.)
2. Van thinks the healthcare reform act is “socialist” – how silly.
3. Van won’t or can’t justify any of his long record of abysmal votes in Sacramento.
4. Loretta used a teleprompter while making a statement, which Van and his people find tacky.

Sounds like – hearing from both sides – it was LORETTA who kicked ass!