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CONNIVING GATTO SHOULD BE PUNISHED; RELIABLE RAMANI SHOULD BE SUPPORTED
Appo Jabarian
CA 43rd Assembly
District Primary Election:
USA Armenian Life Magazine
Issue #1209 May 28, 2010
On May 25, in answer to a question regarding his position on Armenian
demands for justice and the Armenian Genocide, and ending the
occupation of Western Armenia and Cilicia by Turkey, Sunder Ramani,
Republican candidate for CA 43rd Assembly District declared to USA
Armenian Life Magazine: "Justice and consequences for wrongs that
have been committed, I am principally in support of. I wholeheartedly
support all efforts to ensure the rightful return to the Republic
of Armenia all lost or illegally acquired property. This includes,
but is not limited to, the return of all illegally seized property by
Turkish Government in Western Armenia and the ending of its illegal
blockade; and occupation of Western Armenia and Cilicia."
Given the fact that Mr. Ramani has developed and maintained
close co-operation with the local Armenian-American community,
the upcoming June 8 CA 43rd Assembly District Primary Election can
become a ground-breaking political event both for the district and
for Armenian-Americans in general.
The election, pitting Republican Ramani against Democrat Mike Gatto,
may prove to be politically very costly for local un-Democratic
leaders. Why? Gatto and his group not only have awakened a sleeping
political voting block -- the 43rd district's Armenian-American
community, but also antagonized it.
Back in April, during the Special Primary Election, Gatto and his
allies used underhanded tactics against his main Armenian-American
opponent, fellow Democrat Nayiri Nahabedian. They used a second
Democrat Armenian-American, Chahe Keuroghelian as a spoiler who
took away crucial votes from Nahabedian. The result: A tainted Gatto
victory against Nahabedian by little over 3,000 votes.
In that Democratic special primary, Gatto received 11,954 votes or
31.96%; Nahabedian received 8,358 votes or 22.34% and Keuroghelian
merely received 14.60% or 5,462 votes.
Gatto became the beneficiary of Keuroghelian's back-stabbing of his
own community. Gatto also received pre-election help from Keuroghelian
who forced Nahabedian to lead multi-front battle which caused her to
waste her valuable time, energy, and financial resources.
After the election, while Gatto's "Trojan Horse" Keuroghelian was
basking under the sun of a Gatto victory, his fellow Armenian Americans
were left bleeding with an unjust defeat.
It's important to note that in that same special primary, the lone
Republican Ramani received 11,634 votes or 31.10 % positioning himself
well-within a striking distance from victory over Gatto.
On April 18, in a post-election article, I had written: "Armenian
Americans now should look carefully at the candidacy of Mr. Ramani
and compare his platform to Mr. Gatto's. Based on 1) The merit
of the candidates; 2) On their own disappointment with the local
Democratic party machine's conniving tactic to "divide and conquer"
against their community; 3) On their deep disappointment and even
anger at the Obama administration for reneging on Pres. Obama's and
his Secretary of State "Oil Lady" Hilary Clinton's campaign promises
to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, should consider casting
their votes in favor of the republican Ramani. ... The numbers clearly
show that Nahabedian's support base holds the political wild card
and can be used to punish Gatto's self-serving Democratic allies'
dirty politics, by swinging their vote in favor of the Republican
candidate Ramani; and by continuing the same practice in every local
and regional election until these dark forces give up on their heinous
acts of dividing others in order to 'conquer' them. ... Let the local
and state Democratic leaders wake up and reconsider their antagonistic
policy against their fellow Democrats of Armenian American ancestry."
Mr. Ramani's campaign platform and his character make him a good
representative for all constituents - Republicans, Democrats and
independents, of the 43rd district.
Last week the 35th Governor of California, George Deukmejian, endorsed
Ramani's candidacy. Deukmejian served as the first Armenian American
Governor and understands that Ramani would best represent and work
with the constituents of this district. "Sunder Ramani is an American
success story. He is a job creator and problem solver. Sunder's
business experience and his common sense approach will help fix the
mess in Sacramento. He is simply the best candidate to represent this
district. We need more citizens like Sunder in public office today,"
declared Governor Deukmejian.
In accepting the Governor's support, Mr. Ramani said, "To have the
support and endorsement of former Governor George Deukmejian means a
tremendous amount to me and my campaign to become the next Assembly
Member of the 43rd District. Deukmejian's leadership and dedication
to California is admirable. I am honored to have earned his support."
If elected, he would be the first Indian-American to serve in the
California State Legislature, much like his predecessor Paul Krekorian
who is now the first Armenian-American to serve on the LA City Council.
Over the course of his 25 + years of service throughout the 43rd AD,
Mr. Ramani has contributed significantly to the advancement of the
community. His traditional values, views and positions on various
issues are more aligned with those of the Armenian-American community.
His business sense and community activism make him the most appealing
and most identifiable candidate.
That's the primary reason why Ramani's endorsement list of other
prominent Armenian American leaders includes: Glendale Mayor Ara
Najarian, former Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian, former Glendale Mayor
Bob Yousefian, Presidential advisor Ken Khachigian, Glendale School
Board President Greg Krikorian, former LA County DA Robert Philibosian,
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian.
Mr. Ramani is also officially endorsed by the English-language USA
Armenian Life Magazine and the Armenian-language Hye Kiank Armenian
Weekly.
Yes, local Armenian-Americans are deeply hurt by Gatto. But more
importantly, they are entitled to have political aspirations just
like their fellow Americans. They are also entitled to practice the
high ideal once expressed by Gov. Deukmejian, "Don't get mad, don't
get even, just get ahead!"
By contributing to a Sunder victory, the Armenian-American community
will send a clear message to "The Powers that be" or Party Leadership
on both side of the isle that: - The divide-and-conquer strategy will
not be a tactically viable mechanism for them to use against the
Armenian-American community, ramming their self-interests through,
underlined a local activist. No dirty tricks should be employed for
any purpose let alone the mean-spirited one -- "The end justifies
the means;" - Armenian-American voters, who have traditionally
voted as and for Democrats, throw out that party because they now
realize that it manipulates, exploits and takes them for granted; -
They are mobilized enough, as a viable voting block, to do a complete
about face and elect a candidate -- in this case, a Republican, like
Sunder Ramani -- from the opposing party to ensure that its needs and
objectives are indeed met and that the aforementioned transgressions
do not become institutionalized and that those relationships are based
on mutual respect for one another and an expectation of reasonable,
reciprocity-based relationship, between the Armenian-American community
and the Leadership of both Parties within the Legislature.
The Armenian-American vote will be pivotal on June 8th. Since the
April election, a very aggressive Armenian Voter outreach Program
has been carried out by the community itself.
Another local activist stated that the 43rd district's
Armenian-Americans are not in the least bit pleased with the fact that,
they as a people, lost a seat, which based on population projections
rightfully belongs to them.
So the opportunity to consolidate the local Armenian-American voting
block is right around the corner. And in order to achieve that
objective, no resources should be spared.
Equally important is the political objective of punishing Gatto
for his poor campaign tactics while remunerating Ramani for his
constructive campaign platform and for his clear position on issues
that are important for the community.
From: A. Papazian
Appo Jabarian
CA 43rd Assembly
District Primary Election:
USA Armenian Life Magazine
Issue #1209 May 28, 2010
On May 25, in answer to a question regarding his position on Armenian
demands for justice and the Armenian Genocide, and ending the
occupation of Western Armenia and Cilicia by Turkey, Sunder Ramani,
Republican candidate for CA 43rd Assembly District declared to USA
Armenian Life Magazine: "Justice and consequences for wrongs that
have been committed, I am principally in support of. I wholeheartedly
support all efforts to ensure the rightful return to the Republic
of Armenia all lost or illegally acquired property. This includes,
but is not limited to, the return of all illegally seized property by
Turkish Government in Western Armenia and the ending of its illegal
blockade; and occupation of Western Armenia and Cilicia."
Given the fact that Mr. Ramani has developed and maintained
close co-operation with the local Armenian-American community,
the upcoming June 8 CA 43rd Assembly District Primary Election can
become a ground-breaking political event both for the district and
for Armenian-Americans in general.
The election, pitting Republican Ramani against Democrat Mike Gatto,
may prove to be politically very costly for local un-Democratic
leaders. Why? Gatto and his group not only have awakened a sleeping
political voting block -- the 43rd district's Armenian-American
community, but also antagonized it.
Back in April, during the Special Primary Election, Gatto and his
allies used underhanded tactics against his main Armenian-American
opponent, fellow Democrat Nayiri Nahabedian. They used a second
Democrat Armenian-American, Chahe Keuroghelian as a spoiler who
took away crucial votes from Nahabedian. The result: A tainted Gatto
victory against Nahabedian by little over 3,000 votes.
In that Democratic special primary, Gatto received 11,954 votes or
31.96%; Nahabedian received 8,358 votes or 22.34% and Keuroghelian
merely received 14.60% or 5,462 votes.
Gatto became the beneficiary of Keuroghelian's back-stabbing of his
own community. Gatto also received pre-election help from Keuroghelian
who forced Nahabedian to lead multi-front battle which caused her to
waste her valuable time, energy, and financial resources.
After the election, while Gatto's "Trojan Horse" Keuroghelian was
basking under the sun of a Gatto victory, his fellow Armenian Americans
were left bleeding with an unjust defeat.
It's important to note that in that same special primary, the lone
Republican Ramani received 11,634 votes or 31.10 % positioning himself
well-within a striking distance from victory over Gatto.
On April 18, in a post-election article, I had written: "Armenian
Americans now should look carefully at the candidacy of Mr. Ramani
and compare his platform to Mr. Gatto's. Based on 1) The merit
of the candidates; 2) On their own disappointment with the local
Democratic party machine's conniving tactic to "divide and conquer"
against their community; 3) On their deep disappointment and even
anger at the Obama administration for reneging on Pres. Obama's and
his Secretary of State "Oil Lady" Hilary Clinton's campaign promises
to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, should consider casting
their votes in favor of the republican Ramani. ... The numbers clearly
show that Nahabedian's support base holds the political wild card
and can be used to punish Gatto's self-serving Democratic allies'
dirty politics, by swinging their vote in favor of the Republican
candidate Ramani; and by continuing the same practice in every local
and regional election until these dark forces give up on their heinous
acts of dividing others in order to 'conquer' them. ... Let the local
and state Democratic leaders wake up and reconsider their antagonistic
policy against their fellow Democrats of Armenian American ancestry."
Mr. Ramani's campaign platform and his character make him a good
representative for all constituents - Republicans, Democrats and
independents, of the 43rd district.
Last week the 35th Governor of California, George Deukmejian, endorsed
Ramani's candidacy. Deukmejian served as the first Armenian American
Governor and understands that Ramani would best represent and work
with the constituents of this district. "Sunder Ramani is an American
success story. He is a job creator and problem solver. Sunder's
business experience and his common sense approach will help fix the
mess in Sacramento. He is simply the best candidate to represent this
district. We need more citizens like Sunder in public office today,"
declared Governor Deukmejian.
In accepting the Governor's support, Mr. Ramani said, "To have the
support and endorsement of former Governor George Deukmejian means a
tremendous amount to me and my campaign to become the next Assembly
Member of the 43rd District. Deukmejian's leadership and dedication
to California is admirable. I am honored to have earned his support."
If elected, he would be the first Indian-American to serve in the
California State Legislature, much like his predecessor Paul Krekorian
who is now the first Armenian-American to serve on the LA City Council.
Over the course of his 25 + years of service throughout the 43rd AD,
Mr. Ramani has contributed significantly to the advancement of the
community. His traditional values, views and positions on various
issues are more aligned with those of the Armenian-American community.
His business sense and community activism make him the most appealing
and most identifiable candidate.
That's the primary reason why Ramani's endorsement list of other
prominent Armenian American leaders includes: Glendale Mayor Ara
Najarian, former Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian, former Glendale Mayor
Bob Yousefian, Presidential advisor Ken Khachigian, Glendale School
Board President Greg Krikorian, former LA County DA Robert Philibosian,
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian.
Mr. Ramani is also officially endorsed by the English-language USA
Armenian Life Magazine and the Armenian-language Hye Kiank Armenian
Weekly.
Yes, local Armenian-Americans are deeply hurt by Gatto. But more
importantly, they are entitled to have political aspirations just
like their fellow Americans. They are also entitled to practice the
high ideal once expressed by Gov. Deukmejian, "Don't get mad, don't
get even, just get ahead!"
By contributing to a Sunder victory, the Armenian-American community
will send a clear message to "The Powers that be" or Party Leadership
on both side of the isle that: - The divide-and-conquer strategy will
not be a tactically viable mechanism for them to use against the
Armenian-American community, ramming their self-interests through,
underlined a local activist. No dirty tricks should be employed for
any purpose let alone the mean-spirited one -- "The end justifies
the means;" - Armenian-American voters, who have traditionally
voted as and for Democrats, throw out that party because they now
realize that it manipulates, exploits and takes them for granted; -
They are mobilized enough, as a viable voting block, to do a complete
about face and elect a candidate -- in this case, a Republican, like
Sunder Ramani -- from the opposing party to ensure that its needs and
objectives are indeed met and that the aforementioned transgressions
do not become institutionalized and that those relationships are based
on mutual respect for one another and an expectation of reasonable,
reciprocity-based relationship, between the Armenian-American community
and the Leadership of both Parties within the Legislature.
The Armenian-American vote will be pivotal on June 8th. Since the
April election, a very aggressive Armenian Voter outreach Program
has been carried out by the community itself.
Another local activist stated that the 43rd district's
Armenian-Americans are not in the least bit pleased with the fact that,
they as a people, lost a seat, which based on population projections
rightfully belongs to them.
So the opportunity to consolidate the local Armenian-American voting
block is right around the corner. And in order to achieve that
objective, no resources should be spared.
Equally important is the political objective of punishing Gatto
for his poor campaign tactics while remunerating Ramani for his
constructive campaign platform and for his clear position on issues
that are important for the community.
From: A. Papazian