Blue Dogs at the Preakness

 
Congressman Dennis Cardoza. D-18th CA,  was able to suppress for two weeks the story of his "personal and professional reasons" for not attending Michelle Obama's commencement at UC Merced, a new campus he did a great deal to bring to his district.
 
Although covering San Joaquin Valley politics has sharpened our satiric senses, even we could not have imagined this one. Cardoza was at Pimlico for the Preakness, hosting fat cat contributors to something he calls the "Moderate Victory Fund," a Blue Dog Democrat front. The top five contributors in 2008 at this annual event were the American Bankers Association, the Blue Dog PAC, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the National Association of Realtors.
 
Cardoza and the fat cats enjoyed sipping juleps in a luxury box and watching Calvin Borel boot home another one, a front-running filly this time. In addition to claiming he didn't know how much the fund-raiser raised, Cardoza doubtless claimed not to know how much money he and the fat cats won and lost on the Preakness and the rest of the card that day.
 
But, that's our boy. He loves the fast company. Michelle Obama endured 106-degree heat to deliver an inspiring speech to the graduating class at UC Merced, mostly first-generation college students who seemed to understand and appreciate the speech, not just The Presence.
 
Pimlico is reported to be a failing racetrack that loses money regularly except on Preakness Day. Perhaps that explains the thoroughbred industry's support for the fundraiser. Or is its support related to the persistent rumor that Cardoza bets heavily and compulsively on the ponies?
 
It would seem that any local Democrat, registered to vote and able to walk and chew gum at the same time, could beat this bum simply by proclaiming his support for the president and for the 18th Congressional District of California. However, finding such a candidate
in a district stupid enough to have given Cardoza a free ride when real estate values were in a free fall might be a challenge. We aren't always so good at connecting dots because most of the time the picture made is ugly. And we are Californians, too. In our hearts, we all live in Santa Monica and each purple Jacaranda petal falls for us, too.
 
In the Fresno Bee, Jim Boren opines that the problem with the Valley is that its representatives don't have any clout in House Democratic leadership circles. It's a good thing for the nation that they don't, a fact possibly not utterly lost on Democratic Party leadership circles. Cardoza and his former dancing partner, Richard Pombo, tried to
gut the Endangered Species Act three times for the benefit of finance,insurance and real estate interests in their own adjoining districts, now suffering among the worst foreclosure rates in the nation. Cardoza assisted in the looting of the 18th CD for his own social, political and economic gain. Presumably, at least some senior members of the California congressional delegation know that and prefer not to elevate him. Costa, Cardoza's new dancing partner, has been raving on behalf of the Westlands Water District and state water contractors in the south San Joaquin Valley. For a guy who's always claimed a deep knowledge of water politics to back this dog is ludicrous. He wants to
invite the Obamas to the west side? For what, another renr-a-farmworker rally? All the Westlands' massive campaign to suspend the Endangered Species Act to allow more Delta pumping is proving is the incredible amount of wealth west side farmers have made on federally subsidized water, now purchasing the best propaganda and political clout money can buy.
 
The House Democratic leadership probably has what we now call the Costoza right where it wants it, feeding off the bottom of the pond, occasionally surfacing to disgorge a bag or two of agribusiness cash, then sinking quietly back into the slime.
 
The "Moderate Victory Fund" is nothing more than a front for the Blue Dogs, a group of deeply frightened Democrats from largely rural districts when Republicans took the House in 1995. The Blue Dogs looked into their crystal balls and saw their gravy train
sidetracked by millennial fascist hysteria and hopped into an empty boxcar on the Newt Ball Express. 
 
Cardoza's actions look even stupider than they did before we knew the "reason" he couldn't attend Mrs. Obama's speech at the UC Merced commencement. He not only insulted the president's wife. He did it to raise money for a bloc of knuckleheads like himself, stuffed very deeply in the pockets of special interests that don't give a damn about this district or any other in the nation that they have looted to the point the peasants have no more to give the lords.  And this bloc will vote against the president whenever it figures it can get away with stabbing him in the back. Although all these numbnuts know of politics on their best days is when to sell what to which fat cat, they call their
reasoning process "balance," "moderation," "leadership," and "realism."
 
This pleasant myth is as comforting to Blue Dogs as a blanket is to a baby or a stick to a boy.
 
 
We are indebted to McClatchy Washington reporter Mike Doyle for the story. The aroma surrounding it is from one of two things: the scent of burning access bridges; or the odor of suppression through a news cycle. But, now that the story is finally out, it raises speculation into the reasons behind Mrs. Obama's acceptance of the invitation to the UC Merced commencement. It is reasonable to assume that Obama's team was aware of the Blue Dog fundraiser. It has been held at the Preakness for several years. It's no secret. Another factor was the incredible amount of flak preceding the event -- endless stories, mostly from UC, claiming that Mrs. Obama responded purely to the students' persistent invitations, personal letters from family members, and a slew of misspelled valentines. That was a sure sign of a coverup. We refrain from speculation about the first lady's motives, but note that from the political perspective of the White House it was a perfect way to set a Blue Dog's tail on fire.
 
In this congressional district, that's a good political day.
 
Cardoza did all he could to sell his district to finance, insurance and real estate for his own selfish gain. For his grand finale amid the ruins of the speculative housing bubble, he took his family away to a home in Annapolis MD, babbling over his shoulder that the Valley was desperately short of physicians and needed a medical school at UC
Merced. However, his wife, a physician, was provided a position with the University of Maryland medical system and a "voluntary" faculty appointment at the UM medical school. What was the quid pro quo to House Majority Leader and old Cardoza mentor, Steny Hoyer, D-MD, behind that?
 
The president's wife decides to visit the campus Cardoza did as much as any politician but Gary Condit to bring to Merced as the anchor tenant for urban growth. big farm-land prices, and a super developer/ realtor/banker/mortgage lender feeding frenzy.  The Preakness and the fat cats call. What is he to do? It's a matter of values, maybe even of ethics. It could be about nothing more than good manners, excluding political protocol. For Cardoza it was simple: values are pecuniary, there ain't no such thing as ethics, the bum doesn't have the manners of an unemployed farmworker, Hoyer told him to be at the Preakness, and besides, at the track you can bet legally instead of through a bookie with all those complexities, especially for a congressman that may not always be able to cover his bets.
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6-2-09
 
Fresno Bee
 
Maybe it's time for voters to 'scratch' Rep. Cardoza...Bill McEwen

http://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/mcewen/v-print/story/1437766.html
If I lived in the 18th District, I'd be looking to replace my congressman, Dennis "Horse Track" Cardoza, in 2010.
I can think of only two reasons he has the job. First, his predecessor and former ally, Gary Condit, couldn't keep his pants zipped. And Cardoza didn't mind stabbing Condit in the back after Chandra Levy disappeared.
Now we know why Cardoza skipped commencement at UC Merced earlier this month. And we know that he'd rather hold a fundraiser for his political buddies than show a little respect for the school's first full graduating class.
Two weeks ago, when first lady Michelle Obama brought worldwide attention to Cardoza's district by giving the university's commencement address, Cardoza was schmoozing with fat-cat donors at the Preakness Stakes horse race in Baltimore.
Cardoza, in fact, was among five San Joaquin Valley congressmen who snubbed the first lady. But Cardoza's absence was the most glaring. One, he helped create UC Merced. Two, he belongs to the same political party as President Barack Obama. Three, when asked by The Bee's John Ellis why Cardoza wasn't attending the graduation ceremony, an aide to the congressman said that it was for "personal and professional reasons" and refused to reveal what Cardoza would be doing.
Believe me, there is nothing more personal and professional than a full day of racing with lobbyists, farmers, bankers and others who want you carrying their water.
In light of the Valley's economic meltdown and President Obama's deaf ear to our region's troubles, all of our congressional representatives should have used the commencement address to cultivate a relationship with the president through his wife.
But, given the realities of partisan politics, I'm not surprised that Republican Reps. George Radanovich, Devin Nunes and Kevin McCarthy didn't show up.
At least Nunes had the gumption to say he was steamed at the president and didn't want "to go there and make nice" with Michelle Obama. Others, including Democrat Jim Costa, offered weak excuses.
Cardoza refused to say what he was doing or where he was going instead.
When cornered by The Bee's Michael Doyle with the truth, Cardoza played the deflection game, pointing out that Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer were no-shows, too.
In other words, he came off like a fifth-grader whose excuse for playing hookey is that "Dianne and Babs didn't go to school, either."
Cardoza's leadership political action committee, the Moderate Victory Fund, charged $5,000 a head to hang out with the congressman and root on the filly Rachel Alexandra in the second leg of racing's Triple Crown.
Proceeds will be spread like manure in the campaign chests of friendly politicians. The idea is that by helping his buddies, Cardoza amasses power. But despite handing out $104,500 in 2008 through the fund and being a member of Washington's ruling party, Cardoza has little clout.
It wasn't happenstance that Cardoza picked the Pimlico Race Course for his party.
Throughout his political career he made a habit of hanging around horse tracks and other gambling joints. For example: while in the state Assembly, Cardoza spent $10,800 in campaign funds on trips to the Kentucky Derby, the Del Mar race track, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas in 2000.
That same year, while sitting on state committees with oversight of gambling and horse racing, he took more than than $30,000 in contributions and gifts from casinos and horse tracks.
Cardoza obviously loves horse racing.
Next year, 18th District voters can reward his passion by putting him to pasture.

 
5-30-09
Merced Sun-Star
Cardoza was at fundraiser when he skipped UC Merced commencement...MICHAEL DOYLE, Sun-
Star Washington Bureau
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/872985.html
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, missed UC Merced's momentous 2009 graduation
two weeks ago in part because he was busy raising money.
While an estimated 12,000 students, parents and area residents were welcoming first lady Michelle Obama's historic graduation address on May 16, Cardoza cited "personal and professional" reasons at the time for remaining on the East Coast.
On Friday, responding to a reporter's questions, Cardoza acknowledged that he had been at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland hosting a previously scheduled $5,000-a-head fundraiser.
The money raised during the famed Preakness Stakes event went toward Cardoza's Moderate Victory Fund, a political action committee that aids other candidates.
"That event had been scheduled for several months," Cardoza said Friday. "It was a long-standing event, which raised money for moderate Democrats."
The UC Merced graduation was the first for students who attended the new university for all four years. The May 16 graduation date was set at the start of the school year late last summer, university spokeswoman Patti Waid Istas said, although Michelle Obama's
participation was only confirmed in late March.
Often billed as the first new research university of the 21st century, UC Merced is located within Cardoza's congressional district.
He and other lawmakers have made a point in the past of seeking state and federal support, including earmarked funding, as have other lawmakers, and the House passed earlier this year a symbolic resolution praising the university.
Nonetheless, the only House member to attend the May 16 graduation was Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, whose congressional district dips into San Joaquin County.
Neither of California's two senators attended, although the state's lieutenant governor, attorney general and Assembly speaker did.
"Barbara Boxer was not there," Cardoza said. "Dianne Feinstein was not there."
Cardoza noted that he helped host a celebratory dinner to honor the UC Merced seniors a week before the formal graduation, adding that "it was unfortunate" that the timing did not work out for him to attend the graduation.
"I have hundreds of requests in a year," Cardoza said, noting that he must also make time for his family. "I like to go to graduations, but I don't make every one."
Cardoza ran unopposed for re-election last year, and through March he reported having about $264,000 in surplus campaign cash. The money raised at Pimlico, though, will go into a separate fund.
The Moderate Victory Fund is a leadership political action committee, which enables Cardoza to raise money separately from his own campaign account and then distribute it to other like-minded candidates. Traditionally, politicians use leadership PACs to build
alliances and gain influence.
Cardoza said he didn't know how much money his Pimlico event raised.
Last year, the Moderate Victory Fund raised about $102,000 from entities such as Wal-Mart, Comcast and the National Association of Realtors.
In turn, the PAC contributes money to Cardoza's Capitol Hill allies as well as some challengers who align themselves with generally centrist views.
"I try to get moderate Democrats elected to office," Cardoza said, "and this is one of the ways to do that."

5-31-09
Modesto Bee
Local reps need more D.C. clout...Jim Boren
http://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/jim-boren/v-print/story/1436663.html
You'd think that Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, would be pleased that his party controls theWhite House, giving him better access to the executive branch than he had when George W.Bush was president. But Costa seems frustrated that he can't get the ear of the president
at a time when his congressional district is suffering as much as any region in thecountry.
It's an odd dynamic considering that most members of Congress are cheerleaders for apresident of their own party. But the usually cool Costa has been simmering lately.
Costa didn't attend first lady Michelle Obama's commencement speech at the University ofCalifornia at Merced two weeks ago, although he says he didn't snub her. He hadcommitments in his district, he said. Besides, he invited her to meet with his constituents when she was in Merced, and that meeting didn't materialize.
Costa and four other Valley congressmen were criticized for not attending the firstlady's commencement speech to the pioneer graduating class at UC Merced on May 16. Thatcriticism angers Costa, who says the president and first lady have been invited to the
20th Congressional District several times.
Costa, at least, had a better excuse for skipping the first lady's speech than politicalpal Dennis Cardoza, the Merced Democratic congressman. Cardoza was hosting a fundraiserat the Preakness horse race in Baltimore on the day the first lady was in his hometown.
Talk about putting personal politics ahead of your district.
But Costa approached it another way. He says he has sought out opportunities to lobbyPresident Obama to come to the San Joaquin Valley to see the devastating impacts that theeconomy and the lack of water for agriculture have had on communities in his district. He
said he invited Obama after the State of the Union speech and at a meeting in February ofthe Blue Dog Democrats.
Costa said that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has assured him the presidentwill make a trip to the Valley at some point to see the problems in his district, as wellas the issues facing Cardoza's district.
The region is having a tough time because of the drought, a meltdown in the dairyindustry, home foreclosures being among the highest in the nation. Farmworkers are infood lines and family farms are going out of business. Federal help is badly needed, and that's why it's important for Obama to be here.
The president has made several trips to California, and could have easily diverted to theValley if it had been a priority. You can get angry over that or keep lobbying for aValley trip.
That's why some thought it was a tactical error for Costa and Cardoza not to attend thefirst lady's speech. It would have given the Valley Democrats another chance to make their points about the region's troubles.
Costa said he attended a White House reception prior to the first lady's Merced speech and had a quick conversation with her about the problems in his district.
"I said we need you and the president to come to the Valley and see what's going on," Costa said. "We would love for you to take some extra time when you go to Merced to see
what is happening."
He said she was interested, but it never got to the point of working something out because it was only a quick chat.
One of the big problems for this region is the current congressional delegation has little clout, especially when compared to other parts of California. A story in The Bee earlier this month pointed out that the region gets fewer federal funds than other areas of the state.
That leaves Costa and his colleagues with some choices. They can either whine about their plight, or get into leadership positions so they can get something done for their districts.
Some may like playing the victim card, but that doesn't help solve the Valley's problems.
Oh, sure, congressional leaders may throw you a bone every once in awhile. But I'd prefer being represented by members of Congress who are handing out the bones.
 
News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Announcement from Congressman Dennis Cardoza and Dr. Kathleen McLoughlin 
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/move_announce.html   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2008  CONTACT:  Jamie McInerney
(202) 225-6131
 
 WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza and his wife, Dr. Kathleen McLoughlin, issued the following statements:
 
“Today, Kathie is announcing that she will be accepting a position as a family physician with University Care which is affiliated with The University of Maryland School of Medicine. She will be working in their clinic,” said Congressman Cardoza.
 
Dr. McLoughlin will also be accepting a voluntary faculty position at the university. Her last day of practice in Merced will be May 31st 2008.
 
“I have valued and appreciated the relationships I have built with my patients the last 19 years and will miss the daily contact with the many friends Dennis and I have made in Merced. This was not an easy decision, but many members of Congress with young families
move them to Washington. With Joey and Brittany entering high school in the fall, we believe this is the right time to have the family join Dennis in the Washington area. Even though he travels home each weekend, we miss him during the week and look forward to being together more,” said Dr. McLoughlin.
 
The Congressman has purchased a home in the Washington area, but will maintain his family residence in Atwater, California.