New Campaign Tactic: Political Self-Abuse

Sorry, sir, we had to defame the industry to save it.

One of the more curious political mailers this season is put out by the Non-Partisan Candidate Evaluation Council, a consulting firm with offices in Marina del Rey. The name notwithstanding, the mailer endorses a straight Republican ticket and is being sent to every Republican household in the state.

The San Diego County version has some interesting stuff. Take its reasons for urging a No vote on Proposition H, the growth-control initiative sponsored by the San Diego City Council.

“Proposition H is a quick fix riddled with loopholes and exclusions for greedy developers. No surprise it was written by the politicians.”

The message is clear: A vote against H is a vote against the developers. Similar language is used to blast Proposition B, the growth initiative sponsored by the Board of Supervisors.

Loopholes and exclusions? Greedy developers?

What is this, agitprop from Citizens for Limited Growth, the citizens’ group that routinely accuses the council and supervisors of being toadies to the development industry? Not exactly.

It’s not listed on the mailer, but among the groups whose money is paying for the Non-Partisan Candidate etc. mailer is San Diegans for Regional Traffic Solutions, which is financed and run by developers. The group paid $25,000 so the mailer will espouse its views.

In their effort to defeat B & H (and the citizen-sponsored D & J), the developers are apparently willing to serve as their own bogyman and suffer some self-inflicted insults.

Councilwoman Judy McCarty finds the mailer “a bizarre attempt at political chicanery” that is trying to trick voters into thinking developers support H, when the opposite is true.

Allen Hoffenblum, who wrote the mailer, said he showed the language to a consultant for San Diegans for Regional Traffic Solutions before it was printed. Is it common for clients to pay for the privilege of being called greedy?

“In my business,” snapped Hoffenblum, “it’s results that count.”

Is Predator Man or Beast?

The talk of Rancho Santa Fe: The Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society and a private security firm want to know what (or who) killed six exotic birds owned by noted economist Arthur Laffer (inventor of Laffer’s Curve) and his wife, Traci.

The Laffers’ six rheas, large ostrich-like birds native to South America, were killed in three separate incidents at the family’s 17-acre estate last month.

Necropsies concluded that four of the rheas were fatally attacked by predators (probably coyotes) but was inconclusive in the deaths of the first two. In that post-midnight incident, the Laffers’ housekeeper reported seeing a man with a knife hacking at the birds.

“We hope it was only a random act of hostility,” Traci Laffer said.

A Foamy Lobbying Ploy

As the last item on city voters’ super-long ballot, Proposition L may reap, its sponsors fear, a whirlwind of grumpiness from voters weary of slogging through complex propositions.

Proposition L would allow a height limit exemption to permit restoration of a chimney and rooftop cupola as part of the historic renovation of the 1915 Agar/Mission Brewery building at Washington and Hancock streets in San Diego.

It’s part of developer Michael Foote’s plan for a commercial project complete with restaurant, offices, shops and a small brewery.

To drum up interest in L, Foote (a former pro-footballer) plans a public tailgate party in Section L of the San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium parking lot before Sunday’s Chargers-Raiders game. On tap will be pro-L literature and Red Mountain E.S.B. (Extra Special Bitter) and Dobler’s Fine Ale, the would-be brewery’s specialties.

The city attorney’s office says it’s fine as long as everyone understands there is no obligation to vote a certain way: no quid pro suds.