Why I am electable
What in the world makes me, Walter Moore, think I can win the so-called "non-partisan primary election" for mayor on March 8 -- especially since the five "big money" candidates have now raised over $5 million? Glad you asked!
Unlike an ordinary election, it does not take a majority of the votes to "win" one of L.A.'s so-called "non-partisan primary" mayoral elections. You don't need 50% to win; you just need to finish in the top two. Those two candidates then proceed to a run-off election.
In 2001, the top two candidates received just 152,031 votes and 125, 139 votes -- which works out to 30.43%, and 25.05% -- and faced each other in a run-off election. Repeat: all it took to get into the run-off was 125,139 votes, or 25%.
Can I manage to scare up around 125,000 votes? Can I get 25%? Yes, provided you spread the word. Here's why, my friends:
1. There are 302,510 registered Republicans in L.A.
If we get the word out to them, they'll support me because I'm the only Republican running for mayor. Now, if you're a Democrat, don't freak out at the "R-word:" I am a liberal Republican, which means I'm among the 27% of the party that is pro-choice and has no problems with gay people. If Rudy Giuliani, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Richard Riordan don't scare you, neither will I. Anyway, by virtue of my status as a Republican, I could easily muster the requisite 25% as long as the Republicans show up and vote. Indeed, if all 300,000+ of my fellow Republicans show up, I could surpass 50% in the primary and become mayor without a run-off!
2. People Who Want Animals Treated Humanely
Citizens for a Humane Los Angeles, after hearing speeches from four "big money" candidates and me, voted to endorse me. An article on the endorsement in the L.A. Times reported that "Michael Bell, a voice artist for the television show "Rugrats," said the group is in touch with about 30,000 ardent animal activists . . . " And before you pooh-pooh animal lovers' vote, consider this: the difference between the second- and third-place candidates in the 2001 election was 18,950. This election will put us animal lovers "on the map," politically speaking.
3. People Fed Up With Illegal Immigration
I am the only candidate who has vowed to do everything possible to fight illegal immigration. This issue cuts across party lines. A Gallup poll conducted on January 3-5, 2005, indicates that 52% of Americans want all immigration, not just illegal immigration, reduced. A Gallup poll conducted in January 2004 found that 74% of Americans oppose making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens. The percentage of voters who oppose illegal immigration, especially here in Los Angeles -- the "ground zero" of illegal immigration -- is thus presumably quite high. If you have any doubts, listen to local talk radio shows for an hour.
4. People Who Want To Prevent L.A. From Becoming Tokyo Or New York City
The size of this group is hard to quantify, but it's worth noting that I'm the only candidate who opposes cramming more and more people into our city. Rather than changing zoning to allow taller and denser housing, my philosophy is: "If you don't build it, they won't come." I believe people in all parties agree with me on this one. I also favor using eminent domain to preserve land for the public (e.g., Ballona West Bluffs, Toes Beach) while fairly compensating land owners.
5.Libertarians
Libertarians, though not numerous, count. There are 7854 registered Libertarians in L.A., and they support my free-market solutions to problems -- problems created or exacerbated by excessive governmental programs (e.g., giving millions of dollars in "welfare for the rich" to developers to "remedy" the "housing shortage" caused by rent control). Libertarians understand that the five "big money" candidates would continue to expand city government, not reign it in.
6. Howard Jarvis Supporters And Business Owners
I am the only candidate who vows, "no new taxes, no new bonds, no exceptions." People in all parties realize we're taxed too much as it is, and that the City's budget contains millions of dollars of waste -- money that Moore will put to proper use (e.g., hiring enough police). I am also the only candidate who urges immediate repeal of the business tax altogether.
As you can see from the foregoing, I can easily "win" the primary if you spread the word.
Cordially,
Walter Moore
