In response to Mr. Alan Corlin’s letter to the editor last Friday (“Corlin, a Parks Backer, Says His Candidate Is Doing the Honorable Thing”), I wish to make two points:
(1) Mr. Corlin makes reference to Independent Expenditure committees and “receiving candidates.” He specifically says, "Now to be fair about it, the law does specify that the group giving the money can have no “coordination” with the candidate it gives to. This gives the receiving candidate a sort of Get Out of Jail Free card. Legally, the candidate has no obligation to any of us regarding the acceptance of the cash."
Mr. Corlin is incorrect in his description of this political relationship. The fact is there can be no connection between an Independent Expenditure (I.E.) committee and a candidate running for office. To have or maintain a connection would be against the law.
Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City) is not a “receiving candidate” of any funds raised by an I.E. committee, and he will not be a “receiving candidate” of any I.E. committee funds raised during this election. Sen. Ridley-Thomas’ opponent, Bernard C. Parks, is bound by the same campaign finance laws, rules and regulations with respect to the I.E. committees that have been established to benefit his candidacy.
With respect to the Los Angeles Times’ story last Thursday, Oct. 9, that Mr. Corlin references in his letter, I submit the following from the editors of the L.A. Times and printed in today's edition (For the Record, A-Section, Page A-2):
Readers' Representative
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Oct. 13, 2008
Mark Ridley-Thomas: The headline on a briefing item in Thursday’s California section said “Ridley-Thomas gets cash infusion.” The money, raised by an independent union committee, did not go to the state senator’s campaign for the L.A. County Board of Supervisors; as the brief said, the committee is using it to help him win.
If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Jamie Gold, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.rep@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at
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(2) Mr. Corlin raised questions about Independent Expenditure committees supporting Sen. Ridley-Thomas’ candidacy for Supervisor. He specifically says, “The receiving candidate is under no legal obligation to tell anyone what they want or even who they are. If one considers an obligation as a ‘weight of commitment,’ then I submit $12.8 million is a crushing burden. Who are these groups? Whom do they represent? What do they want in return for their “uncoordinated” donation?”
In response, let me reiterate, Sen. Ridley-Thomas is NOT a “receiving candidate” of any funds raised by an I.E. committee. Sen. Ridley-Thomas is prohibited from receiving any funds from an I.E. committee. Likewise, Mr. Parks is prohibited from being a “receiving candidate” of any funds from an IE committee.
Mr. Corlin asks, “Who are these groups?” In Sen. Ridley-Thomas’ case, the answer is simple and compelling. They are the working people we all depend upon everyday to protect our lives or save our lives when the worst happens. They are police officers and Sheriff’s deputies. They are nurses and doctors. They are firefighters and lifeguards. They are probation officers. They are our first responders and critical care professionals.
They support Sen. Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor of the 2nd District in the Nov. 4 general election because they believe he will work for change on the Board of Supervisors and deliver results for the people of the 2nd District. “What do they want?…” Mr. Corlin asks.
I suggest that Mr. Corlin ask them. They will tell Mr. Corlin, in clear and certain terms, why they believe this is one of the most important local elections for them and their families. They are standing behind Sen. Ridley-Thomas, and they are urging voters to elect him on Nov. 4. They have very good reasons for both positions.
But in his letter, Mr. Corlin conveniently neglects to ask the same questions about I.E.committees backing Mr. Parks that he's raising about I.E. committees supporting Sen. Ridley-Thomas. What does Mr. Corlin know about those groups and what they want? If Mr. Corlin finds out some answers as to who they are and what they want, he should share what he learns with all of us.
All the public knows at the moment is that I.E. committees formed to support Mr. Parks are raising and spending funds on illegal TV attack advertisements that contain NO legally-required disclaimers identifying the sources of money paying for the ads. Mr. Corlin fails to ask why these groups feel they have to hide from sight of the voters, as they spend tens of thousands of dollars to attack Sen. Ridley-Thomas.
Mr. Corlin contends Mr. Parks is a “straight-talking, down-to-earth politician.” If that’s truly the case, Mr. Parks should have in a little “straight talk” with the IE committee working on his behalf. As a former chief of LAPD, Mr. Parks' message should be short-and-sweet: obey the law!
Mr. MacFarlane is a senior deputy to Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas, and he may be contacted at fredmacfarlane@mac.com
