Rep. Dana Rohrabacher’s former campaign director, who is now challenging his re-election as a candidate for Congress, said Friday it “seemed hypocritical” of the incumbent to call him an opponent of President Donald Trump when Rohrabacher called the president a “nasty SOB” at a fundraiser in March of 2016.
“It seems rather hypocritical that he falsely accuses me of being a `Never Trumper’ when in private he castigates the president and says he could never vote for him,” candidate Scott Baugh said.
In an audio recording obtained by City News Service, Rohrabacher is heard telling someone in a conversation March 28, 2016, at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Newport Beach, that he could never support Trump.
When asked to weigh in on the presidential race, Rohrabacher said, “I would say this. I thought I was going to support Donald Trump, but I can’t support a man who is a mean, nasty SOB. I think Americans, we deserve to treat each other civilly, and I have always been courteous to the people who disagree with me.”
Rohrabacher then pointed to reports of violent conflicts at Trump rallies to further his point.
“I think the fact there’s some violence popping up now, and, yeah, you need to blame the people who are doing the violence, but you have to say that Donald Trump creates this atmosphere of meanness,” Rohrabacher said.
Rohrabacher said the party needed someone more like President Ronald Reagan, who, he said, “was a gentleman, a nice, kind man… We need a person who is strong and kind.”
When asked which candidate might fit that mold, Rohrabacher pointed to Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
The tension between Rohrabacher and Baugh, who were once friends and colleagues, has heightened as Rohrabacher sent mailers to voters that are critical of Baugh, claiming Baugh was a “Never Trumper” and that he supported amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Baugh denies both claims, saying he has raised money for Trump and believes the border with Mexico must be secured before any immigration reforms are implemented.
Baugh responded to Rohrabacher’s criticism with TV ads saying Rohrabacher has made 172 foreign trips during his three decades in Congress. Baugh said the congressman has only gotten three bills signed into law and makes frequent foreign trips to promote the legalization of marijuana and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rohrabacher spokesman Ken Grubbs said the congressman was about to catch a flight, but would try to respond soon.