Political Pulse: 08.13.06
August 13, 2006
Seaman: Garcia not fighter pilot
During an interview about the race for District 32 State Representative, Republican incumbent Gene Seaman tried to shoot down Democratic opponent Juan Garcia's Naval flight record.
"He's not a fighter pilot," Seaman asserted. "He never flew jets, he flew P-3s. He is not a fighter pilot even though he takes his picture behind a jet."
Garcia did not fly jets, his campaign staff agreed. But he did fly 30 armed missions in the Persian Gulf and served as a top aide to the deputy Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. He also served in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and on the aircraft carrier USS Constellation in support of the enforcement of the no-fly zone in Iraq.
Seaman contributor is a harbinger, Garcia says
Garcia's political camp is saying that one of Seaman's campaign contributions is a harbinger of a nasty time to come.
Seaman's latest campaign finance reports list a $10,000 donation from Houston homebuilder, the ultra-conservative Bob Perry, who is known lately for financing a variety of conservative causes including pro-tort reform measures and an anti-gay marriage initiative.
"Juan Garcia is saying the pilots are backing him," Seaman said in response to questions about the contribution from Perry. "If the pilots want to back him fine. Why should you pick on me for getting donations from a fellow homebuilder?"
Perry also was responsible for financing the 2004 "Swift Boat" ads that played a part in torpedoing Democrat John Kerry's shot at the White House.
Garcia chuckled, "We will not be swift-boated."
Garcia: 'Sharks, chaos' good training for politics
Garcia said he took a few days off the campaign trail a couple of weeks ago to go to southern California. Garcia was at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to complete the Water Survival Refresher training required of all naval aviators every four years. Training includes sessions in a hypoxia chamber, underwater egress from a ditched aircraft, and parachute extraction.
Said Garcia, "Sharks, panic, chaos . . . it's good preparation for politics."
Does disaster follow Benson or vice versa?
When Dr. Lanie Benson, new director of the public health preparedness program at the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District, introduced himself to county commissioners Thursday, he recounted his public health experience in three other Texas cities, all of which were struck by disasters after he moved there. Wichita Falls had severe tornadoes, Victoria flooded and Jasper was hit by Hurricane Rita.
"He starts after hurricane season," Commissioner Chuck Cazalas said. Other commissioners and County Judge Terry Shamsie shared slightly nervous laughs.
"I hope it's some kind of statistical quirk," Benson said.
Port: Smith is always welcome after his praise
Corpus Christi's new Police Chief Bryan Smith stopped by to introduce himself at this week's Port of Corpus Christi commissioners meeting. At the meeting, Smith shared some of his goals in conjunction with working with the port. At the end of his speech, Port chairman Ruben Bonilla thanked him and invited him to attend every monthly meeting.
"It's not every day that a guest refers to us as honored and distinguished," Bonilla said.
Shamsie's wife is a fan of Smith's good looks
Smith also received a compliment when he introduced himself during a Nueces County Commissioners Court meeting this week. County Judge Terry Shamsie told Smith that when his wife saw a man, presumably Smith, on television, she remarked how handsome he was.
"I want a copy of that footage," Smith retorted.
Shamsie kept going. "I was taken aback because I wanted to know who she was watching. I said, 'Oh, you saw the chief of police.' 'No, I saw Oscar Ortiz.' "
Little is modest over minor-league pitch
Commissioner Betty Jean Longoria told the court Shamsie's assistant, Tyner Little, had thrown out the first pitch at the Coastal Bend Aviators game Wednesday during county employee night at the ballpark. Little was bashful about his minor-league appearance.
"Thank you, commissioner," he said. "I almost reached the catcher."
Israeli Consul: U.S. has friendly neighbors
Discussing the crisis in the Middle East on Friday, Asher Yarden, an Israeli Consul General pointed out how lucky the United States is to have friendly neighbors like Mexico and Canada.
"We live in a tough neighborhood," he said matter-of-factly. "Our neighbors include Iran, Iraq and Syria. Fortunately, we don't have a border with Iran because Iran has not hidden its intent to wipe Israel off the map of the Middle East."
Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell, Denise Malan and Fanny Chirinos. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com
