THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:Pleased, but looking for more

U.S. senators and representatives are playing a “game of chicken” over several border security bills to see who’s willing to give a little to get their bill to the president’s desk, Newport Beach Rep. John Campbell said Wednesday.

Campbell, a major proponent of border security-only bills, said he’s pleased with what the House has accomplished so far, though it’s not all that he hoped for.

The House last week moved immigration reform forward, passing three pieces of border security legislation that are now awaiting Senate approval. Representatives on Thursday approved bills that would criminalize the building of tunnels under the border, speed up procedures to deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, and reaffirm the ability of local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws.

The goal of the latter bill, Campbell said, is to plug any perceived holes in 1996 legislation that first gave state and local agencies immigration authority.

“There are people who believe that the 1996 law, which gave them that authority, could be challenged,” he said. “This removes any ambiguities.”

The House bills passed last week have joined a border fence bill and a homeland security spending bill waiting for Senate approval. Campbell said senators and representatives are jockeying to see who will support bills from the other side to help get their own passed.

LAWYER ALLEGING CONFLICT BELONGS TO GOP GROUP

As a postscript to the story in Wednesday’s paper about Tustin attorney Mark Bucher’s allegation that a conflict of interest might prevent Venezia from holding a council seat in Newport, it’s worth mentioning that Bucher is a member of the Orange County GOP central committee, which has endorsed Venezia’s opponent, Leslie Daigle.

Bucher has said he raised questions about Venezia on behalf of a client whose name he would not disclose. Venezia said in July that as a longtime Republican she was disappointed not to get the GOP endorsement.

ENDORSEMENT SEASON

City council candidate endorsements continue to roll in. Among the latest, the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday announced support for: Michael Henn, one of four candidates in District 1; Mayor Don Webb, the sole candidate in District 3; appointed Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, who faces Barbara Venezia in District 4; appointed Councilman Ed Selich, running against Robert Schoonmaker in District 5; Nancy Gardner, who is challenging District 6 Councilman Dick Nichols; and appointed Councilman Keith Curry, who is vying with Dolores Otting for the District 7 seat.

Also recently, the Orange County Lincoln Club endorsed Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor and running mate Wendy Leece; and incumbents Selich, Daigle, Curry and Webb in Newport council races.

Three local chapters of the California Republican Assembly — Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Corona del Mar — gave their support as follows: in Costa Mesa, Mansoor and Leece were endorsed; for Newport-Mesa Unified School District board, Kimberly Clark, Karen Yelsey and Loretta Zimmerman were backed; and in Newport Beach, Daigle and Nichols received endorsements.

HIRING OF DISABLED VETERANS ENCOURAGED

Huntington Beach Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, whose district includes Costa Mesa, announced this week the House passed his resolution to encourage congressional offices to hire disabled veterans. Rohrabacher said in a statement that the measure, which passed Tuesday, would help ensure “that returning veterans are treated with the dignity and honor they have earned and deserve.”

According to Rohrabacher’s office, more than 21,000 Americans have been wounded during military service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He urged colleagues to hire disabled veterans by the end of next year. Rohrabacher’s district office already employs one disabled veteran, spokeswoman Tara Setmayer said.

COSTA MESA CANDIDATES FORUM

The Costa Mesa Senior Center will hold a City Council candidates forum at 12:45 p.m. Friday at 695 W. 19th St.

SCREENING OF ‘LOOSE CHANGE’

On Saturday, the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa will screen the controversial Sept. 11 documentary “Loose Change.” The free event will be held at 1259 Victoria St.

For information, call (949) 548-8772 or visit endcorporaterule.org.