Issues Take a Back Seat at Debate When Badham, Sumner End Up Trading Barbs

In the only formal debate of their campaign, issues took a back seat to personal attacks as Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach) and Democratic challenger Bruce W. Sumner went for each other’s political jugular during a taping Thursday of a television debate in Huntington Beach.

Sumner, 61, hammered away at the five-term incumbent’s absenteeism on key congressional votes, his worldwide travels and his use of campaign funds to pay for such things as a Cadillac, silverware and clothing for his wife.

By the time the debate was over, a disgusted Badham told reporters, “I’m tired of this shit, really. Either Bruce Sumner is (unknowingly) making slanderous statements or he is doing them with malice.”

Sumner Doesn’t Let Up

But Sumner, past chairman of the county Democratic Party who is considered the underdog in the race to represent coastal Orange County’s 40th Congressional District, did not let up.

“Where is he?” Sumner asked during the 30-minute taping at the studios of KOCE-TV. “We are paying him $75,000 a year. He uses his campaign funds for his personal living expenses, he admits; he isn’t there to vote and then says it doesn’t make any difference. I think it does make a difference.”

Badham, 57, bristled at the retired Superior Court judge’s charges and asked his longtime acquaintance more than once to withdraw his statements, threatening that he would sue him for libel and slander. Badham defended the Cadillac, clothes and flatware purchases, saying that they all were used for campaign and political purposes, not personal ones.

“Bruce, I want to say to you right now, you’re a judge. You are a (Gov. Edmund G.) Brown appointee to the bench. You were an attorney before that and an attorney now and,” warned Badham, “I’m sure you know about the immunity for libel and slander of a public figure. I’m sure you’re also aware that you shed that immunity if you do it with malice. So I’m telling you right now . . . if you say this again, you will seriously be in jeopardy of shedding your immunity against libel and slander of a public official.”

Living Expenses

“I certainly welcome that opportunity,” retorted Sumner, his words barely audible since Badham was still talking to him. “It’s $105,000 since 1982 of campaign contributions that have been spent on personal living expenses. It’s documented.”

Badham had tried during the early part of the debate to focus on his accomplishments in Congress and read from a letter of support from President Reagan.

“The real issue is who has the experience and seniority to put ahead the Reagan program. . . . I stand four-square with Ronald Reagan,” he said.

Countering Sumner’s aggressive tack, Badham referred to some of his opponent’s positions on curbing the defense budget as “kooky” and “left wing,” and implored Sumner to “try desperately to be a gentleman.”

Badham also mentioned more than once that Sumner was a Democrat and appointee of Brown, two politically loaded phrases in the well-heeled, heavily Republican district.

Provided Some Spice

The exchange between the two candidates added some spice to an otherwise lackluster campaign. Badham is expected to easily win a sixth term on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Working in Badham’s favor is the fact that his largely coastal district is 60% Republican and is considered perhaps the most Republican congressional district in the nation. Moreover, the former hardware wholesaler has handily beaten back recent challenges from within his party and from Democrats.

Badham garnered 64% of the vote when Democrat and peace activist Carol Anne Bradford waged a strong campaign in 1984. He again won by the same margin last June when Nathan Rosenberg, a brash and well-funded political unknown, made a surprisingly well-organized run against him in the Republican primary. Rosenberg endorsed Badham this week.

Most Recent Candidate

Sumner became the most recent candidate to take on Badham, after he was reluctantly thrust into the race earlier this year to prevent a follower of political extremist Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. from winning the Democratic nomination in the district. Sumner entered the race only after it was discovered that LaRouche follower Art Hoffmann, a computer programmer from Santa Ana, was the only Democrat to file for the Democratic primary.

To save his party from further embarrassment, Sumner, who was then county Democratic chairman, decided to take on Hoffmann himself. He won a write-in campaign and now faces an uphill race to unseat Badham.

Thursday’s taped debate also included Peace and Freedom Party candidate, Steve Sears, who had trouble getting a word in as Badham and Sumner went at each other.

Sears, 31, is an accountant and law student who lives in Irvine. He said neither candidate offered voters “much of a choice,” adding, “If you are tired of government disinformation campaigns, CIA involvement in Central America, worsening U.S. and Soviet relations and an escalating arms race, vote for me.”

The debate will air Tuesday night on KOCE-TV, Channel 50, at 7:30 p.m.