SACRAMENTO — The most puzzling piece of the Chuck Quackenbush scandal--Quackquake--is simply this: What was the insurance commissioner thinking when he blew off his natural political base in the earthquake-devastated L.A. suburbs?
The San Fernando and Simi valleys. Canyon Country . . . Republican country. And toward downtown, huge pockets of swing voters.
Much of this region voted overwhelmingly for Republican Quackenbush's reelection two years ago. So why was his deputy handing out quake spoils to Sacramento and Oakland minority groups like some Chicago Democratic ward heeler paying walkin' around money?
Actually, that analogy is an insult to ward heelers. They at least dole out favors to loyal supporters. Quackenbush would have as much chance carrying the cities of Sacramento and Oakland in a statewide election as San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown would cozying up to Chatsworth.
Not that elected officials are supposed to play favorites, but for the sake of discussion, let's assume politicians will be political.
"One of the first rules of politics is to always secure your base before you reach out," notes a veteran Republican consultant, who like most GOP operatives doesn't want his name anywhere near this subject. "Quackenbush's real base was the earthquake victims--in Southern California, where all the votes are. He could have been a hero.
"The most successful politicians are the ones who understand why they're there and who put them there. He just blew an opportunity to not only help the people he was supposed to be helping, but to help himself. It's not only malfeasance but stupid politics. I don't get it."
*
To put this in perspective, Quackenbush won reelection over a weak Democratic opponent--Assemblywoman Diane Martinez of Monterey Park--by only six points: 49.9% to 43.8%. It was a Democratic blowout year.
The vote by Assembly district tells the story. In the Sacramento city district, Quackenbush got just 39% of the vote. In Oakland, he received a mere 21% in one district; 15% in another.
But jump down to Northridge, epicenter of the 1994 quake. In that district, Quackenbush was a landslide victor with 60%. In the adjoining Santa Clarita district, he got 65%. Toward downtown, he lost in districts covering Pacoima (35%); also, Van Nuys (42%). But he was a winner in Burbank-Glendale (52%).
