Orange County Elections : Robinson ‘Ducking the Public,’ Opponent Says

Claiming that his opponent is “ducking the public,” Superior Court Judge David O. Carter, a Democratic candidate in the 38th Congressional District, on Wednesday chided Assemblyman Richard Robinson (D-Garden Grove) for refusing to appear on a KOCE-TV interview show to be taped this morning.

But Robinson, in a letter to KOCE executive producer Jim Cooper, said he had to remain in Sacramento to vote on key amendments to the state’s $52.3-billion budget that affect Orange County.

“I cannot and will not shirk my constitutional responsibility to protect and vote for the interests of Orange County citizens on the major bill of the year, the California state budget,” Robinson wrote.

Robinson’s decision means that two of the three major candidates in the 38th congressional race have decided not to go on the show. Last week, citing pressing business in the nation’s capital, incumbent Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) also said he would be unable to appear. That leaves Carter on the show with only Libertarian candidate Lee Connelly and host Cooper.

Asked if KOCE believed Dornan’s and Robinson’s excuses of too much work, producer Edward Miskevich said, “Diplomatically, I must accept that. But it doesn’t make it (the show) as exciting as it was going to be.” He said that both men had been offered the chance to appear on any date “the whole month of May” but that neither could fit the show in their schedules.

Also Wednesday, the Carter campaign sent a volunteer in a chicken suit to parade in front of Robinson’s Santa Ana campaign headquarters. According to Carter aide George Urch, the volunteer sported a sign that said, “Why is Dick Robinson chicken to debate Dave Carter? Because Dick Robinson is afraid of laying an egg.”

Although the election special is to be taped today, KOCE’s show on the 38th district is not scheduled to air until May 30 and 31.