FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

By Bob Walsh

Some very bright fellow, I think it might have been President Hayes, once remarked that he did not worry about his enemies, he could deal with them. It was his friends that kept him awake at night.

Ami Bera is a Democrat congressman from the Elk Grove, CA area. He comes from a wealthy family. His dad wanted to help him out for his last two congressional campaigns so he gave his friends and acquaintances a bunch of money to pass on to his son as campaign contributions once he had maxed out legally. That is, of course, illegal.

Daddy Bera copped a plea a couple of days ago to a couple of felonies. The 83-year old senior Bera could possibly get 10 years, though the prosecution is only asking for 30 months. The younger Bera denies any knowledge of his father’s nastiness. Most of his colleagues are buying
it, or at least pretending to do so. He won his seat last time by less than 1% in a very evenly split district.

This situation could make a difference as Bera faces Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones in the June 7 election.