A Fight Over Forgiveness for a Dying Legislator

Forgiveness can be hard to come by in politics.

As former Orange County legislator Doris Allen lay gravely ill with cancer in Colorado, some of her former Republican colleagues in Sacramento refused last week to extend an olive branch and commend her for her 13 years of service to the state.

They were still fuming about the deal she cut with Democrats in 1995 to make her the first female speaker of the Assembly.

In a private Assembly GOP caucus meeting Thursday--with major policy issues left to resolve before the session ended the next day--members hotly contested the commendation praising Allen.

Failing to persuade their colleagues that they should, as one member put it, “do the right thing,” Democrats and other Republicans went around them.

The commendation was pushed through quickly and quietly on a voice vote on the Assembly floor, while opponents were out of the room or distracted amid the chaos of end-of-the-session bills.

The resolution commended Allen for “her dedicated and diligent service,” as a “dynamic role model” and for leaving “an indelible mark of excellence as her legacy.”

On Friday, after the resolution was published, some Republicans were upset and complained at another caucus session, party members said.

“There were very strong feelings about it, no question,” said Assemblyman Bill Campbell (R-Villa Park), a supporter of the resolution.

Assemblyman Bob Margett, an Arcadia Republican who also supported the commendation, said some legislators argued that Allen is “the reason the party is so dilapidated right now.”

Allen, formerly of Cypress, lasted barely three months as speaker before stepping down in September 1995, amid a constant barrage of criticism and name-calling. Two months later, a GOP-mounted recall effort that had the support of then-Gov. Pete Wilson won at the polls, ousting her and installing leadership-approved candidate Scott Baugh of Huntington Beach, who now is the minority leader.

The idea for the resolution came from Assemblyman Bruce Thompson (R-Fallbrook), who an aide said plans to deliver the scroll to Allen and her family this week.

Thompson could not be reached for comment, but others said he argued that forgiving Allen was the Christian thing to do.

But Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian of Encinitas, who opposed the commendation, said there is a difference between forgiving someone and bestowing an honor.

“Forgiveness does not require honor,” Kaloogian said. Other opponents were unavailable for comment.

Kaloogian said he opposed the commendation because the Assembly doesn’t usually give resolutions to people who lose elections, only to those who retire or reach their term limit.

He agreed that the bad feelings toward Allen’s alliance with Democrats contributed to the emotion of the dispute.

Allen is terminally ill with colon cancer. Last month, she moved from California to Colorado so her daughter could care for her.