Robinson Called ‘Best Legislative Tactician’ : Peers Praise Departing Assemblyman

He’s the kind of fighter the Republican Party needs. --Gil Ferguson

Assemblyman (R-Newport Beach)

For future consideration, you can have him.

--Willie Brown

Assembly Speaker

(D-San Francisco)

Assembly colleagues gave Richard Robinson an hourlong, emotional sendoff Tuesday, saluting the Garden Grove Democrat as “brilliant . . . sensitive . . . tenacious . . . mean . . . a bit surly at times” and “the best legislative tactician” ever to serve in Sacramento.

Robinson, 43, is vacating the Assembly seat he has held for 12 years and making an uphill bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove).

The accolades and roasting came during a ceremony that has become traditional for a departing member of the Assembly.

But the tribute for Robinson, who was teary-eyed when the speeches had ended, was extraordinary.

‘Volcanic Temper’

Close allies recalled encountering his “noted volcanic temper,” and frequent foes praised his fairness and dedication. Several speakers who said they seldom or never spoke during such tributes took time to comment on everything from his 5-foot, 9-inch stature to the major bills he has authored on budget issues and Medi-Cal reform.

“He’s certainly been up to his neck in some of the combats and conflicts we have around here,” Assemblyman Alister McAlister (D-Fremont) said.

“He’s a man you love to hate,” Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) said. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone in the Assembly who is as bright and articulate. . . . I have never met anyone I would like more to argue against when I knew what I was talking about.”

Even Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy, against whom Robinson led an unsuccessful overthrow attempt when he was Assembly Speaker in 1980, stopped by the Assembly Chamber during the ceremony to say goodby.

Valued Counselor

Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), under whom Robinson has chaired two committees and headed the Democratic Caucus, said Robinson has been valuable as “a counselor who equals or surpasses” his own knowledge of legislative rules and political tactics.”

“When I became Speaker, my first job was to make sure that Richard Robinson, in some manner or another, became an associate and supporter of mine,” Brown said.

Several colleagues, including Republicans, said they hope Robinson will consider running for the state Senate should he lose in his bid for Congress. Others, ignoring the fact that he is an underdog in his congressional race, wished him well in Washington.

“If Assemblyman Ferguson can stand up here and give the eulogy to Richard Robinson,” quipped Assemblyman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) “B-1 Bob (Dornan) had better be living in fear of Top Gun Robinson.”