Bloomfield and Waxman Race Is Heating Up CA-33 District
By Barry Donegan | 10/16/2012 | California, Congressional, Headline, Open Primaries | 13 Comments
Photo: Bill Bloomfield at the Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach with Jim Hallett and Manhattan Beach Police Chief Eve Irvine
Heading into November, the CA-33 congressional race between independent candidate Bill Bloomfield and Congressman Henry Waxman is intensifying. Bloomfield’s ability to self-finance his campaign has forced the incumbent Waxman to compete to retain his seat despite having served in the US House of Representatives since 1975. With under a month left before the November 6th general election, the Bloomfield and Waxman race is heating up, and both campaigns are touting new endorsements, making efforts to get out the vote, and trading barbs.
Congressman Waxman’s campaign is reaching out to voters by highlighting his record as a bona fide Democrat. ”The first piece of what we’re doing is letting voters know about the Congressman’s strong record as a proud Democrat, who does have a clear record of working across the aisle to get things done,” said Waxman campaign manager Lindsay Bubar. ”We also feel it’s important to inform voters that while our opponent Bill Bloomfield claims he’s no longer Republican, he has been funding the Republican Party for the last 20 years, even after he re-registered as independent.”
Bill Bloomfield’s campaign has been targeting Democratic, Republican, and independent voters who are frustrated with the climate of partisanship in Washington DC. Responding to accusations that the independent congressional hopeful is a closet Republican, Bloomfield’s communications director Sabrina Wazzan stated, ”Bill is an independent, and he has given to both Democrats and Republicans.” Going further, Wazzan offered Bloomfield’s position on abortion to demonstrate his independent perspective on the issues, “He’s pro choice; he’s not a Republican.” Bloomfield’s team also pointed out, “Bill has not taken any PAC money, and he refuses to take money from special interests.”
Both camps have recently announced new endorsements. ”Just yesterday, the Daily Breeze and the Daily News came out in support of the Congressman,” said Bubar. On Bloomfield’s new endorsements, communications director Wazzan offered, “We do have a lot of endorsements from independents. One is from No Labels, and then we just got endorsed by the Independent Voice.” Additionally, the Bloomfield campaign released a new TV ad called “Critical,” featuring words of support from James Woolsey, Director of the CIA under Bill Clinton.
Waxman’s campaign is focusing on getting his Democratic supporters out to vote, relying on phone banks and in-person campaign appearances at senior centers and meet and greets throughout the South Bay area. The Bloomfield team is using social media to spread his independent, anti-partisan message, urging supporters on Twitter and Facebook to share the campaign’s new television commercials.
With Waxman intensifying his attacks on Bloomfield for donating to Republicans in the past, the Democratic congressman is appealing to party faithfuls in an effort to encourage a greater turnout among his base of support. Bloomfield’s recent messaging is aimed at voters across the political spectrum, promoting his history of donating to candidates from both parties and endorsements from Democratic and independent sources.





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13 Comments
Jane Susskind
10.16.2012
@jsusskind
Maybe highlighting his record as a bona fide Democrat isn’t the best strategy in a political environment where more and more people are identifying as independents. I know California is a democratic state, but I think voters are becoming more independent-minded.
Chad Peace
10.16.2012
@Chad_Peace
It’s a matter of persuasion v. turnout. Bloomfield camp is convincing voters. Waxman camp just trying to get the base to the polls. Almost all campaigns are turnout campaigns nowadays; a battle of who can get more people to the polls…that’s why we get so much negative ads. Not because it makes voters want to vote for the guy who pays for them, but it makes it harder for the other guy/gal to turn out their “base”.
Shawn M. Griffiths
10.16.2012
@shawntx
It’s a smart campaign strategy Bloomfield. Waxman is put in a position where he has to defend his record, which could turn away traditional Democrats. He is not guaranteed re-election as he was in past elections.
Terri Harel
10.16.2012
@tlharel
This is exciting, I can’t believe this Waxman has held his seat since 1975…
Alex Gauthier
10.16.2012
@alexg
his longevity in office really helps explain his tactics. the D by his name has helped him for this long. why would he change strategies now?
W. E. Messamore
10.17.2012
@W__E__Messamore
Think about that. This guy was campaigning for his first successful US congressional election while Richard Nixon was president and going through Watergate. And he’s still in office. And it’s almost 2013.
Lucas Eaves
10.16.2012
@lucaseaves
One race that would have been one of the least interesting in the previous system become the center of attention in California. This is great example in favor of the open primary.
Michael Higham
10.16.2012
@michaelhigham
Bloomfield is campaigning with the times, social media and an anti-partisan message. The fact that Bloomfield doesn’t have to rely on PAC money is big deal for those worried about special interest influence. Waxman said that he can “reach across the aisle” but in what ways?
Blaz Gutierrez
10.16.2012
@blazgutierrez
Having to defend yourself as being or not being an R or a D is silly. Reminds me of the 2008 presidential race when one of the big issues was whether or not Obama was Muslim. The only good answer I heard was from Colin Powell. When asked about the accusations, his response: “So what?”
Michael Dishmon
10.17.2012
@bizurk
Apparently you have to be Christian to run for office. Doesn’t make any sense in a country where church is suppose to be separated. But oh well…
J.C. Adamson
10.16.2012
@themuser
Good survey of the race. Are you seeing any polling on it?
Arthur Christopher Schaper
10.16.2012
Visit “Waxman Watch”
waxmanwatch.blogspot.com
The more people I tell about Bloomfield, the more people support him.
End the reign of Waxman the Taxman!
John Aaorn
10.17.2012
I went to both Waxman/Bloomfield debates in Palos Verdes. Waxman’s position seems to be (1) with my tenure in Congress, I’m “too big to fail” (2) I provided leadership on veterans issues (3) I am not hyper-partisan.
The sad fact is that the West Los Angeles VA has not added one new bed to permanently house disabled veterans during Waxman’s entire 38 year tenure in Congress.
During Waxman’s debate with challenger Bill Bloomfield on October 10, Waxman defended his inaction regarding homeless veterans by repeating the mantra: “Eric Cantor and the Republicans want to sell the land.” However, Waxman was quoted as saying at a town hall meeting here in LA this March that “During the Super Committee negotiations last year, Republicans proposed, and the White House endorsed” the sale of the West LA land. That endorsement was evident when Obama signed The Honoring Americas Veterans and Camp LeJuene Families Relief Act on Aug 6th (which Waxman voted for). It partially repealed the 2008 law Waxman sponsored to protect the land from commercialization. Waxman has been mute on the partial repeal of his signature legislation on a $5 billion asset in the heart of his district – and refuses to acknowledge the Democrats’ complicity. If he’s so powerful, how could that happen? And please explain to me why this is not a hyper-partisan response.