Jerry Roberts
By Jerry Roberts of Newsmakers
In recent weeks, Rep. Salud Carbajal embarked upon a “Central Coast Community Project Victory Tour,” trumpeting his support and sponsorship of newly-passed federal legislation that yields large sums of cash, grants and pork for his 24th Congressional District.
Campaigning for a fourth term against token Republican opposition, the Democratic congressman positions himself as a transactional, pragmatic problem solver more interested in delivering for constituents ($75 million for the 101, $3.7 million for SBA, $3 million for the Goleta Valley Community Center, $1.3 million for the Veterans Memorial Building, $1 million for Santa Maria’s Airport, half-a-million for Carp shoreline “resilience work” — the list goes on…) than in the extremist politics now tearing the nation apart.
However, at a time when 7 of 10 GOP voters do not regard Joe Biden’s presidency as legitimate, nearly 70 percent of the party’s House members voted not to certify the 2020 election, and November’s mid-terms may well hand control of Congress to GOP majorities even more deeply committed to Donald Trump’s fake narrative of a stolen election, Salud’s senescent bromides about “collaboration,” “bipartisanship” and “working together to solve problems” can register as dewy-eyed echoes of a long gone era.
In a far-ranging Newsmakers interview this week, the Democratic congressman discussed in depth and detail how he tries to square that political circle in Washington — a case study of striving to employ venerable legislative tools like persuasion, compromise and good faith negotiation, in an era of toxic, zero sum power struggles shaped by grievance, menace and rumblings of civil war.
Although Carbajal portrays today’s GOP as a far-right, anti-democracy party, he nonetheless boasts of success in partnering with Republican colleagues on an issue-by-issue basis.
“Certainly there are many Republicans that have fascist tendencies that we are seeing more and more of in Congress,” he told Newsmakers.
“A good part of the Republican Party is focused on the ‘Big Lie’ (that the election was stolen), and is following the cult of a man named Trump, versus an ideology or a conservative platform,” he said. “So from that standpoint, it is a new party, overwhelmingly a new party.”
“I try to (call that out) as often as possible, but in addition to doing that, I also believe in collaborating and creating a collaborative environment, where we can get things done,” he added. “Look, the people in the Central Coast, my constituents, want me to govern. They don’t want me there focusing overwhelmingly on ideology…And I try to reach that balance because I want to be effective for my district.”
State of play.
In the Nov. 8 election, Carbajal ‘s opponent is Dr. Brad Allen, the sacrificial Republican (Dems start with a 46-to-26 percent district registration advantage) who finished second to him in the June primary. A pediatric surgeon who says he is running as a “common sense” alternative to “career politicians,” Allen reported $2,500 cash on hand in his latest campaign filing to the Federal Election Commission; ,Carbajal reported $2.4 million.
“I never underestimate any campaign, any race,” Salud told us, “and I am spending substantial resources this race as well, because I don’t take anyone for granted.”
In our interview, Salud answered questions (and parried spasmodic snark) on a host of other consequential issues, including the controversial refit of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in his district – and what it means for the future of a major wind energy venture planned nearby, a project he surely views as the stuff of political legacy .
He also discussed the econoy, inflation and the local impact of a series of huge pieces of legislation passed by Congress and signed by Biden, including the $1 trillion, bipartisan infrastructure bill; the massive and sprawling, so-called “Inflation Reduction Act”; and the $280 billion Chips and Science Act to boost the semiconductor industry and establish reliable manufacturing supply chains (“jobs, jobs, jobs,” he repeated three times).
In response to other questions, Carbajal insisted the new $700 million federal gun safety law, providing state grants for “red flag” law policies, was more than a token measure; discussed the war in Ukraine and how the U.S. should respond if Putin follows through on threats of using nuclear weapons; and speculated that the Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade, could be determinative in Democrats surprisingly holding the House;.
Majority or minority?
Contrary to the view held by many political professionals, Carbajal stated that he is “not absolutely sure that (Democrats) are going to lose the House” to Republicans in the fall.
The GOP needs to net only five seats to take over — think Speaker Kevin McCarthy — and if they do, Salud said, he’ll hunker down to “negotiate with a Republican-led House to try to find common ground on continuing to move legislation forward, when we can find agreement.”
Carbajal pointed to his membership and good working relations in the bipartisan “Problem Solvers Caucus” (of 19 Republican members, just five Trump loyalists refused to certify the election) and the “For Country Caucus,” composed of ex-military members (where 5 of 14 GOP members stood behind the rigged election canard) as proof of viability for his across-the-aisle style and brand.
(Data point: Don’t look now, but among Republican election upholders, at least 5 of those 19 GOP “Problem Solvers,” and 3 of the 9 “For Country ” Republicans who voted for reality won’t be returning in January, either retired or beaten in primaries by MAGA Trumpers. But we digress).
“Most of the people that are on the other side, that are part of the bipartisan caucuses that I’m part of, overwhelmingly…those individuals have not been the ones promoting the Big Lie, have not been the extreme individuals,” Salud said.
“But I will tell you, I stand up for my district, I stand up for my ideals, day in and day out,” he added. “I don’t hesitate to call out the Republicans on extremism, and things that they do that are not in keeping with…American values of being inclusive — making sure everybody has opportunity, making sure we are doing everything possible to improve the lot of Americans…and giving people hope and opportunity to live the American dream.
You can watch Newsmakers’ interview with Rep. Salud Carbajal in part or in full via YouTube below or by clicking through this link. The podcast version is here. Check TVSB and KCSB-FM for their air times of our program.
Amusing : for 6 years now HRC has repeated many times (as recently as just a couple months ago) that DJT was NOT a “legitimate” president.
Amusing how nobody has any recollection of that ! Does that make her a “fascist tendency” ?
Ancient history, HRC still living in your head rent free. She lost, get over it.
Alex : She lost and she keeps lying ! He latest LIE is just 2 months old !
And all the Jan 6 story is almost 2 years out so : LET GO YOU TOO !
Hillary’s white pantsuit is embedded in your skull lol
Fondo, it’s okay when they do it. Your forgetting the double standard.
Fond, WTF are you talking about, I haven’t said anything about January 6th. Stop obsessing.
Cry, VOR
Oh yeah, that was terrible when Hillary started an insurrection that took the Capitol. Or when she called the Secretary of State in a swing state to straightup ask for votes. Or when she refused to concede and kept riling up militias and ultra-left elements to fight for her. Lol it’s remarkable how such a bland and unlikeable person can live in cons’ heads for so long.
Sounds like the cons have embraced hallucinogens.
Alex – You choose not to see the point made by FONDOFSB. What (is) the difference between what Trump is saying and what Clinton has said? If one can be considered a facist for their comment why not the other? Yes, despite over one billion dollars available for her campaign, Clinton lost. Clinton lost “bigly,” one could say.
Alex – Do you deny there is sufficient evidence seen relative to legal issues recently that indicate there is a “double standard” or two-tiered justice system that favors democrats?
Where do you even see or hear Hillary?
Doulie, try again, but this time in English.
Thank you for pointing out the fascists in the Republican party. Root out the evil.
Funny how many in the GOP still cling to the myth of a stolen election, the myth of no insurrection, the myth of being for voting rights, the myth of not being fascist, the myth of being for law and order while ignoring glaring crimes against the country… (too many other examples of cognitive dissonance to mention). It just goes on and on.
Not funny. Scary. The prevalence of ignorance is disheartening.
4126 : Ask a psy what “projection” is all about !
Congressman Carbajal is, first and foremost, a man of integrity. That’s not something one can say with any sense of conviction about most of those opposed to him.
“Carbajal portrays today’s GOP as a far-right, anti-democracy party”.
The entirely Steele dossier put together by the DNC and HRC, the lies to the Fisa court, the cover-up of the Hunter Laptop : that’s all “democracy” , right ?
No, that’s just fantasy and believing the lies of right-wing social media. No basis in fact.
In traditional journalism, claims are investigated. If they are found to be false, they are dismissed, and not harped upon. Not so with con social media – proven false claims get hyped as evidence of some sort of conspiracy, no matter how far removed from reality.
Every single thing you’ve said on this page is a lie.
FOND – Carbajal feeds people what they want to hear. Due to lack of media reporting on the issues you describe many people don’t have a clue they occurred.
If they rooted out out the evil in the Democratic Party, it would be the same way like it is right now they have no party
It’s great to watch the MAGAt Repuglican dementia continue.
Did you say Biden? Oh no you said dementia. What’s the difference? It’s the spelling.
You were a Dennis Hastert follower weren’t you. Still think he’s innocent?
Right wingers are incapable of being clever. Nor are they can they be honest, intelligent, or informed.
WTF. More Salud patting himself on the back. This should be an OP-ed, not a news story. It reads just like 80% of current news sources! I can’t stand politicians!
Carbajal said he’d represent everyone is his district, except now name calling of conservatives? Learning the talking points from Pelosi I see. A party hack instead of a Representative.
Congressman Carbajal does what is best for his constituents. He doesn’t care about crowd size and likes on social media, and aggrandizing himself like some narcissist we know.
About 70% of the “conservatives” are cult members who think Biden’s victory didn’t happen. Even though ex-potus lost over 50 lawsuits challenging the results, many in front of judges he appointed. Even though no credible evidence was offered in said cases, or found by law enforcement, of election fraud. Even though their congressional leaders either see the election as valid. Even though by taking office themselves after the same elections, they are acknowledging the election as valid. If the GOP loses to an old geezer like Biden, maybe everyone else isn’t the problem, maybe it’s their candidate…
You’re blatantly lying about what he said, but that’s what right wingers do.
“Certainly there are many Republicans that have fascist tendencies that we are seeing more and more of in Congress”
Not lying, just resent someone who broadly casts disparaging comments, while acknowledging there might be some “good” Republicans around if you look hard enough, or they care so much about the corrupt state they’ll align with Democrats to uphold the current state. Screw the voice of the people.
To paraphrase the Dear Leader, they’re insurrectionists, extremists and bigots. Some of them, I assume, are good people lol
If they didn’t have double standards, they wouldn’t have any standard at all.
Exactly. That’s the GOP to a tee. They don’t even bother with a platform any more.
Similarly, Gizmo1 said “If they rooted out out the evil in the Democratic Party, it would be the same way like it is right now they have no party”
These are poor attempts by right wingers to be clever, but it just reveals their dishonesty and stupidity.
Democrats: We should live and let live
Republicans: We should attack the government when the election doesn’t go our way, we should attack women, support NAZI organizations such as the proud boys and oath keepers, we should troll librarians, defund libraries, burn books like “Captain Underpants” because it turns our kids gay, follow the cult Q and our leaders are Trump, Boebert, Greene, Matt Gaetz because Hillary’s emails and Hunter’s laptop.
If Fascism Ever Comes to America, It Will Come in the Name of Liberalism
Nice try at warping history, but the actual quote from Sinclair Lewis is: “When fascism come to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”
I think Salud needs to choose his words more carefully because so many people listen to him quite closely. Make no mistake, words matter. I believe that ALL of us – the left, the right, the middle – can agree on at least one thing that was summed up yesterday by President Biden yesterday at an event at the Volvo Group Powertrain facility in Hagerstown, MD:
“Let me start off with two words: made in America.”
Let’s get it together people as we will all go down on the same ship if we do not. We all know what is coming in November, so brace yourselves y’all.
The Whole Democratic Party is underwater with no chance of oxygen how can you possibly be for a party that’s ruined everything that America stands for? Brainwashed into believing everything is alright. The Republican party has its career politicians that shouldn’t be there as well, but in no way compares to the Democratic crew
Lol how have the Dems ruined “everything America stands for?” Just another meaningless hyperbolic Dump rally phrase. They hate America! They want to take your guns and make everyone gay! Lmao, crock of nonsense as usual. No policies just BS slogans. That’s why I left the GOP, they stopped paying attention to reality.
Newsmaker “Journalist,” Liar-in-Chief,” Jerry Robert’s at it again, spreading his liberal garbage. Trying to put lipstick on this Democratic pig. Carbajal is a lap dog for Pelosi who is going down!
Red Tsunami is coming and let the investigations commence! Yep, Hunter going down and one thing about junkies, they always flip.
Delusional ranting seems to be what passes for the new GOP mission statement.
Coast, what are you upset about? Why do you feel “hated”. This is an anonymous message board. No one knows you, how can they hate you?
Lmao Tejano is always there for a good laugh, hUnTeRs LaPtOp
BENGHAZI!
Maybe they can investigate Benghazi for the 25th time and see if they can find Hillary’s Hotmail password.
So much hate from the triggered Trumpies. Sigh.
@ ALEXBLUE…. You and GeneralTree should get together and discuss how to keep “hate” out of these conversations….
Just take a look at how the Texas School Board picks their textbooks, and you’ll get a good idea of why nonsense and ignorance are rife.
I think Salud is a good politician. But both parties are so extreme these days. Way out there from what the middle class actual wants- a government that just handles the regular business to keep society running. He has the fascist comment wrong. Fascism is actually to the left of the Democratic party. IE- larger government, more rules and strong control over the people. The current democratic party, especially in CA wants to tell the people what to do all the time, with way too many rules on the people, to the point of suffocation. The conservatives in general want less government and less rules which is not fascism. To the right of conservatism is anarchy, not fascism. I think most people want something in the middle, for the middle class.
Thank you for reminding us of the mostly forgotten origin of fascism and it’s essential characteristics. So many today don’t understand that both fascism and German National socialism both have their roots set deeply in communism and tended to use its methods and share its goals with the exception of a unified world government.
Wow. Really delusional stuff totally at odds with the real origins of fascism. Somebody’s been into the hallucinogens again.
Instead of a retort with facts to educate and have a dialogue, you just lob a juvenile insult- nice.
Welcome to EdHat Liberty….
None of the cons here are interested in discussion. They’re just spewing nonsense repeatedly.
See Liberty, being unable to respond with facts are even a coherent counter point they devolve to this “None of the cons here are interested in discussion. They’re just spewing nonsense repeatedly.” I’ve been saying for years the DNC is much better described by the actual definition of fascism. Looking up the definition of “liberal” it certainly doesn’t fit todays DNC.
Yet here you are adding nothing of value to the conversation. Just disparaging “liberals” and casting a large brush over all of us just because of a few commenters’ less than helpful comments. You cry and moan DAILY about the very thing you yourself do on a DAILY basis. It’s tiresome, VOICE.
Calling Republicans you disagree with “fascists” is as bipartisan as calling Democrats you disagree with “communists”
Only if you don’t know what those words mean, which is pretty likely.
100%, so lose the name calling bs and let’s either debate issues or don’t even post.
Well..
You guys are aware that your entire system of government was derived from the doctrines from the Nations
of the Iroquois?..
Ben Franklin presented them to his table of peers, & was re-written by them..
Should have left it as it was given.
I disagree that the “[our] entire system of government was derived from the doctrines from the Nations of the Iroquois” but that is a small quibble about the word “entire”. Clearly the founders greatly admired the doctrines and did some early colonialist cultural appropriations from the Nations, but the legal side of our system leaned heavily on British Common Law
Definition of fascism
1often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control
early instances of army fascism and brutality
OK, there’s the definition. Now, which side of the aisle would you call nationalistic (you know, flag waving, violently defensive of the national anthem, etc) and obsessed with halting the discussion of racism in schools and how it contributed to the building of our nation? Which side makes excuses for and even defends the domestic terrorists that violently attempted to overthrow (suppress) the opposition on Jan 6?
There’s really only one answer.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not all that motivated to get “bi-partisan” with a partisan who calls me a fascist
Yeah, me neither. Go time travel back to the Fatherland, bud.