President Bill Clinton in the O.C. — Stumps for Loretta Sanchez, Blames George W. Bush for Economic Crisis

LAT has the story: "Clinton Stumps for Sanchez in Tight Congressional Race." But I'll tell you, Clinton's speech was a yawner, mostly blaming George W. Bush for the Obama Depression, and whining about how people needed to get the "facts" so that the campaign wouldn't be fought on "voter anger" but on "ideas." Pathetic. Like a rock groupie, Loretta Sanchez just stood at Clinton's side, fawning and gigling at the "hilarious" repartee. Clinton helped Sanchez over the top in her first run for Congress in 1996 (defeating "B2" Bob Dornan). And she needs a hefty boost now. She's polling virtually dead even with GOP Assemblyman Van Tran, so no doubt she had to call up the big party guns to salvage her congressional career.

Security was tight and the crowd was crushed up closely to the front security perimeter. I'm holding off on a new camera, so it's grainy as she goes from this distance. It was interesting to see Clinton in person once again, despite having lost respect for him after the Lewinsky scandal. (I saw him campaign in Santa Barbara in 1996.) His mannerisms are certainly unique, and unchanged, especially the finger wagging:

A small contingent of Van Tran supporters were on hand to welcome the 42nd president, including Monica Lewinsky herself:

The crowd was a least 1000 people. But the drab absence of patriotic signage and political paraphernalia was a huge contrast to the tea parties. What signs one did see were Loretta Sanchez placards and some AFSCME astroturf trash.

This is about the most personalized sign found among the Democrats, which is to say not at all (notice the "California Labor" signature at the bottom of the working families sign):

The fellow on the left wears an AFSCME polo shirt. He looked up just as I was taking a photo. His buddy at right was heckling the Van Tran supporters, who were mostly women. I hung around a bit just in case these thugs got even more out of line. Freakin' goons:

Below is Tim Daniel, a.k.a. Left Coast Rebel. He's got a post up, with much nicer (sharper) photographs, "Bill Clinton Stumps for Loretta Sanchez in Santa Ana, California."

Clinton is always animated, and this time was no different:

In any case, there's a blog post at the O.C. Weekly, "Bill Clinton: OC Needs Loretta Sanchez in Congress."

It goes without saying, but the media presence was massive. I'll check around for more information and update.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin's in the 'hood as well tomorrow, and if I'm lucky I'll get some good pics from that event.