Seven months into his first try at political office, Jeffers M. Dodge, that rare Westsider known as a Republican, says he still is more comfortable backstage than out front. Up to here, the sizable, suave, smart 51-year-old show business veteran has largely stayed out of sight in his professional career, discovering and promoting entertainers. He comes from a family background where the attainment of prominence is presumed. At least until this season, he has not gone into any professional contest believing he would not prevail. He still blinks when the heat of the public spotlight sprays on him. “I am asking to be the lead singer for the first time,” Mr. Dodge said, “and let me tell you. This is a learning experience. I am learning a lot about myself. This campaign is putting me through emotional ups and downs. It is a test for seeing how I respond to criticism or to people who don’t like me. People even have told me they hate me. On the other hand, there is a lot of gratitude. I have a very large fan base. The fans are my volunteers. They all respect and admire me, and they understand I have the talent and the requirements to do a good job in Sacramento.”
D-d-d-d-d-don’t B-b-b-b-e Nervous
You knew Mr. Dodge was a rookie candidate when he admitted, “I have a couple weaknesses. I have a weakness that every performer has — stepping up on stage, public speaking. I have not done much.” He laughs. “No, I am not comfortable — yet.” He chuckles again. “And I am not going to get comfortable in this cycle.” He was hoping to shed his speaking jitters last spring in the Republican primary. He laid out a scenario where he delivered a triumphant speech following a concession by his first-ever political opponent. But no GOP rival ever materialized. “Some people did call to suggest they were going to run,” Mr. Dodge said. “I told them I would love the competition. But, I said I must warn you to do your research first before you spend any money to try and defeat me.” If he has so much confidence to bank, why can’t he use that bullet-proof approach against his Democratic opponent on Nov. 7, the very popular Assemblyperson Karen Bass (D-Culver City)? “Because 80 percent of the registered voters in this district are Democratic,” he fires back. In that event, why even run? “Because there needs to be an opposing voice to Karen Bass. The Republicans need to know the Republican Party cares enough to put in someone who is serious and who represents their voice. That’s me.”
The Value of Campaign No. 1
Mr. Dodge rejects suggestions that he is merely a trial horse or a straw man. “I feel like a Marine,” he snaps back. ”I am the advance man. I am most likely the one who is going to fall. But I am fighting the good cause.” Has the Jeffers Dodge campaign been worthwhile? “For whom?” he asks. “If I decide to run again, yes, this experience is worthwhile. If I give it a try (again), I know exactly what to do to win. I thought this time there were some things I could do to win.” Designing his embryonic campaign in the long-ago, and perhaps more innocent, days of last spring, Mr. Dodge drank from the cup of self-confidence. “I thought I knew what to do this time to win,” he said before the jolting awakening slammed into him. “I did what every good politician does — I had to raise money. I never had to do that. I never have been a politician. Ideally, I would say I needed $400,000 to run and win. But that $400,000 requires a two-years effort I found out. This is not a March-to-November effort.” Trying hard not to show the envy that a distant second-placer feels for the race leader, Mr. Dodge notes, succinctly, “Karen Bass is not even running a campaign. She doesn’t even bother.” When you are perspiring and your opponent is standing stockstill, a feeling of annoyance could develop. “She doesn’t even acknowledge me,” Mr. Dodge said. “There is no reason to.”
Self-Esteem Undented
The Republican candidate says his supreme self-esteem remains in excellent condition. “I am confident in who I am,” Mr. Dodge says. “I am confident in my talent. It’s the ability to acquire the resources to win, the ability to understand what it takes to acquire the resources.” In response to a question, Mr. Dodge said Ms. Bass should stand warned for the next election, two years from next month. “This experience has definitely been worthwhile. All of my wins and losses these months have been nuggets of information.” Finally, what is Mr. Dodge’s platform? “My message is I am a fiscal conservative,” he says. “Using these principles, I can eliminate most, if not all, social problems, such as gangs, poverty, crime. And the social issues that cannot be addressed by these principles are not, therefore, in the providence of government. They are the providence of the people. Put them on the ballot. Let the people vote. Let the majority of people in California determine their own destiny about gay marriage or illegal immigration.” Mr. Dodge was asked to cite his main differences with the incumbent. ”I love my country,” he said. “I believe in a strong military. I believe we are fighting evil in the world in the war on terrorism. I am a free-market capitalist. I believe in democracy. All of these, she does not believe in. I believe in God and church. These things are in contrast to Karen Bass, in my evaluation.”
