Recently, I exposed a local California incumbent, Democrat State Assemblyman Mike Gatto, trying to pass himself off as a Republican. Turns out he’s not the only one.
U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, (D-Van Nuys) is running against Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) to represent California’s newly configured 30th District. Both men are Democrats.
To beat both Reed and his fellow Democrat Sherman, Berman seems to be advertising himself as a Republican, listing his name right below Mitt Romney’s and Paul Ryan’s on a “Republican Voter Guide” urging recipients to “Vote Republican.”
The mailer is addressed to “Republicans,” extolls Mitt Romney’s plans to reduce taxes and return power to the states, and claims Republicans “are uniting in support” of Berman, even citing an alleged endorsement by Republican Senator John McCain.
Nowhere does Berman disclose that he is a lifelong registered Democrat elected to Congress in 1982, and is in fact the most senior Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
And just like the Gatto flyer, Berman’s “Republican” voting guide advocates the Democrat positions on the various state propositions without ever mentioning the Democratic Party.
Looks like Democrats in California have a slick campaign strategy: fool Republican voters.
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