Election night postscript: A little Democrat-bashing

There was plenty of Democrat-bashing at the statewide GOP's election night party Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine. One man wore boxing gloves and held a handwritten sign that read, "Fight socialism."

Rep. Ed Royce of Fullerton said, "We face a leftist agenda that ... wants to eviscerate the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people."

But no speaker went as far as Orange County GOP chairman and former assemblyman Scott Baugh. Following remarks from Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach, who blasted the Republican Party's national leadership, Baugh, the evening's master of ceremonies, called the congressman's opponent "a liberal Democrat communist lady."

The woman is Debbie Cook, the mayor of Huntington Beach, who has served on the City Council since 2000. She challenged Rohrabacher for the seat in the 46th District, which stretches from Costa Mesa to Rancho Palos Verdes. Rohrabacher won.

-- Jeff Gottlieb

Comments

[Mark]

This is why Republicans (and not Democrats) will continue to be seen as the party of extremists.

[Darryl]

So, they shouldn't be counted on to put differences aside to unify the nation, eh?

[Andy]

I hope they noted which way the tide is turning. This may have been their last chance to gloat.

[Connie]

A communist? That is just disgusting. Was Baugh drunk?

[Catholic Boy]

Scott Baugh has always been a pharacie; eager to pile extremities onto things he doesn't understand or appreciate

Moreover, comments like his demonstrate a lack of internal barometers

He also got his clock cleaned a couple years ago trying to create inane districts in HB and Mayor Cook was one of the reasons...as were grassroots and community activists a huge reason...why.

She is a keeper and Baugh knows it, as do most electeds in OC

[Catholic Boy]

Scott Baugh has always been a pharacie; eager to pile extremities onto things he doesn't understand or appreciate

Moreover, comments like his demonstrate a lack of internal barometers

He also got his clock cleaned a couple years ago trying to create inane districts in HB and Mayor Cook was one of the reasons...as were grassroots and community activists a huge reason...why.

She is a keeper and Baugh knows it, as do most electeds in OC

[Mary]

I see Joe McCarthy is alive and well, and channeling through Scott Baugh. Consider the vote count, Mr. Baugh, and think about how many people you just offended.

I am from a family of life-long Liberal Republicans (they didn't kill off all of us). Every one of us voted for Democratic candidates this year, as we have in recent years. If the Republicans are not willing to return to the root platform of fiscal responsibility and a less intrusive government that respects individual rights, then more of us will leave. If the Republicans cannot shake the judgmental social and religious agendas that have infiltrated the party (remember the separation of church and state?), then more of us will leave. And, if the Republicans cannot grasp the concept of grown up, statesmanlike communications instead of juvenile name calling, then more of us will leave. Truly, it is time for some soul-searching by the GOP. Meanwhile, the majority of the country is moving forward with a more unifying agenda.

[Flossie]

The kind of comment by Scott Baugh regarding Debbie Cook the Mayor of Huntington Beach is the very reason why the people of this great nation turned their backs on the Republican agenda. Lies, inuendos and slurs no longer work in our country. Sorry.

[Garry Brown]

I have always considered Scott Baugh as the leading contender to be the poster child for "better living through ignorance". He is definately part of the reason why the Republican party is where it is today.
Gary

[John]

Debbie Cook has brought enlightenment, integrity, tranparency and principle to the Huntington Beach council chambers for 8 years. Whenever she cast a vote I always knew it was what she believed was best for our city. Those who disparage her in this article succeed only in telling the world who they are and displaying to the world their values.

It is sad that Scott Baugh does not possess any of the grace and dignity exemplified in the post election scene that was demonstrated by Senators McCain and Obama.

[Politican Junky]

When the precincts are finally counted, It will likely show that Debbie Cook did not have great returns in Democrat leaning Costa Mesa and Santa Ana Heights. Those communities are next to John Wayne Airport, which will be expanding, and they are incredibly unhappy with El Toro Airport being killed.

Debbie Cook took a very active role in the fight against El Toro. She was not alone as 58% of the county said no to El Toro Airport. However, being anti El Toro does not play terribly well with cities located east of the Santa Ana River within the 46th congressional district. Newport Mesa and South County are engaged in an endless bitter civil war that will never be resolved.

Instead Debbie Cook should run against Jim Silva for assembly. Silva is a total defeatable. Plus the 67th district would NOT have Costa Mesa and Santa Ana Heights in the district.

All Scott Baugh does with his polarizing comments is fire up people to work harder for Debbie Cook next time. He is clearly a sore winner. I am sure Debbie gracefully condeded. I hope that at least Dana was gracious in victory as Scott Baugh sure was not.

[Margaret]

Scott Baugh was surrounded by the good old boys and played to the crowd. Scott! It's 2008! Not 1950. It's time to send the good old boys on their way! We don't want McCarthyism replaced with Baughism! In the fairyland you are living in, you are a toad and no amount of kissing will make you a Prince! You are a disgrace to yourself, your wife and family. Have you no shame?

[Stephanie]

Debbie Cook is a fiscally responsible elected official who fights corruption, supports the community, and cares about issues such as clean water and sustainable energy. That is why Scott lies about Debbie. The type of comments by Scott are why I am not a Republican anymore.