Issues Surrounding the Baker Campaign

We were silent when the news broke, after the June primary, that Dave Baker had allegedly misused funds from the Irvine Health Foundation for his congressional campaign. We remained silent when the excuses for Dave Baker’s behavior as a candidate shifted the focus of attention from personal responsibility to the “pressures” of the electoral process. We were even silent as we watched Dave Baker’s empty seat at the Irvine City Council at three successive meetings when the citizens of Irvine needed his counsel and vote. However, the creation of a trust fund for Dave Baker is just too much (July 17). Important public issues must be raised and answered. Silence is no longer a tolerable or comforting approach to this galling situation.

It is reprehensible and cynical that news of Dave Baker’s alleged financial improprieties at the foundation was made public only after he lost a very close election to Christopher Cox. Citizens voting in the primary should have been informed about these activities so that they could have rendered a complete evaluation of Baker’s fitness for this national office before casting their ballots. Had Dave Baker won the election would the public ever have been told?

We are appalled at the attempts by Dave Baker’s attorney and “friends” to excuse these actions by blaming the political system. The attempts made to portray Dave Baker as a fragile victim of the system offends our sensibilities and mocks the thousands of candidates who annually run political campaigns with dignity and honor.

The establishment of a trust fund for Dave Baker to “help cover personal and legal expenses” will no doubt be viewed by some as a compassionate act. In reality it affirms the illusion that Dave Baker is a victim, and it condones these gross violations of civic trust and responsibility. It is hard to shed a tear over Dave Baker’s financial condition. Baker is on a paid leave from a law firm that paid him in excess of $100,000 last year.

During the election Dave Baker asked the voters for their trust, admiration, and confidence. He promised a vision of American politics that was moral and purposeful. We submit that his failure of character during the campaign, compounded by his self-imposed exile in its aftermath, requires a response by Dave Baker alone. The citizens of Orange County have a right to be disappointed. They also have a right to hear Dave Baker’s responses to these issues--not someone else’s excuses.

MARK P. PETRACCA

TERRY S. PETRACCA

Irvine