Political Landscape: A liberal walked into a conservative’s bar ...
Dan Chmielewski sat alone, glass of red wine in hand, around 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Skosh Monahan’s, awaiting the other invited guests. The Irvine resident, public relations man and self-identified liberal was, by his own estimation, in “enemy territory.”
Skosh Monahan’s, he said, is the “belly of the beast,” a restaurant and bar owned and operated by Republican Costa Mesa Councilman Gary Monahan.
Chmielewski is editor of TheLiberalOC, a blog whose mission, as stated, is to challenge “Orange County’s right-wing noise machine.”
The fact that Chmielewski helped co-plan the event with Monahan — his ideological opposite — was no small matter.
With past differences aside, hard feelings weren’t apparent Thursday. Attendees said they wanted to find commonalities over drinks.
The event was a reboot of sorts for Drinking Liberally, an informal social club that has been “kind of rudderless,” Chmielewski said, since losing its Santa Ana meeting spot. The group is now on the hunt for another regular watering hole.
Skosh’s dubbed the event “Drinking Liberally or Conservatively.” More than 600 people, of all political persuasions and alliances, received online invites. Seven showed up.
Chmielewski admitted that he didn’t expect to change Monahan’s mind about anything, but he was excited about the prospect of the longtime conservative councilman serving him a drink — as long as he didn’t “put his thumb” in it, Chmielewski joked.
Monahan said the event was a good chance to find out that people with different opinions are “real people,” not just online commenters.
Participants included Anita Narayana, a 73rd Assembly District member of the Orange County Democratic Party’s Central Committee. Sitting across from her was Thomas Anthony Gordon, of the OCGOP’s 69th Assembly District’s Central Committee.
A plate of barely touched Irish nachos got cold between them as the two talked about racial identities, diversity and other matters. For Gordon, the discussions are always fun and civil.
“It’s good discourse, really,” he said.
Chmielewski pointed out the rarity taking place next to him: two committee members of dueling parties sitting across from each other.
“When has that happened in this county for the last 10 years?” he asked.
Having the event at Monahan’s bar, Chmielewski added, did alienate some people — namely union members who don’t appreciate Monahan’s stance on labor and others “who don’t want to spend a dime” in his establishment.
Chmielewski spent money for sure, on himself and others. His tab, including tip, came to $76.
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37th Senate race endorsements
Two candidates for the state Senate’s 37th District race have announced endorsements.
Assemblyman Don Wagner (R-Irvine) was endorsed by Newport Beach council members Duffy Duffield, Kevin Muldoon and Diane Dixon. He has also been endorsed by Bob McCaffrey of Residents for Reform.
In an email, McCaffrey called Wagner the “best choice to represent our interests” and praised “his commitment to small government.”
Former Supervisor John Moorlach of Costa Mesa said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait and Supervisor Shawn Nelson have endorsed him.
“Nobody has stronger credentials at restoring fiscally healthy sound government than John Moorlach,” Tait said in a prepared statement. “John Moorlach will fight to eliminate Sacramento’s wall of debt and address the growing unfunded liabilities. For our state to truly find a path to sustained prosperity, we need more people like John Moorlach fighting for taxpayers and small-business owners at the state level.”
Laguna Niguel resident Naz Namazi, a congressional aide, is the third candidate in the race but has not announced any endorsements.
The special election is scheduled for March 17.
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City seeks public input
Costa Mesa’s Community Development Division is seeking feedback from residents on its Consolidated Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at the senior center, 695 W. 19th St.
“The Consolidated Plan identifies needs and priorities related to housing, community service, public facilities/infrastructure and economic opportunities that are funded with federal monies,” according to a news release. “Federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships grant funds are utilized over a five-year period to address the needs outlined in the Consolidated Plan.”
Interested parties can submit a survey on the city’s website as well.
For more information, contact Mike Linares at (714) 754-5678 or mike.linares@costamesaca.gov.
