Michelle Malkin » Open borders + campaign finance hypocrisy + eco-radicalism = McCain’s billionaire national finance co-chair Jerry Perenchio

Open borders + campaign finance hypocrisy + eco-radicalism = McCain’s billionaire national finance co-chair Jerry Perenchio

By Michelle Malkin • January 28, 2008 09:50 AM

Scroll down for updates…meanwhile: “Romney, McCain call each other ‘liberal’…

Meet Jerry Perenchio. He’s a National Finance Co-Chair of the McCain 2008 campaign and the billionaire founder of Spanish-language media conglomerate, Univision. He also heads up a charitable foundation that has showered gobs of money on extremist green lobbying groups. Take open-borders zeal, add campaign finance hypocrisy, mix with eco-radicalism, and presto:

The perfect, multiculti-profiteering McCain money buddy.

Here’s his official bio on the McCain website:

Since 1992, A. Jerrold Perenchio has been the chairman and chief executive officer and controlling shareholder of Univision Communications Inc., the largest Spanish-language communications company in the United States. From 1973 until the partners sold the company to Coca-Cola in 1985, Mr. Perenchio was a partner and chief executive officer of Tandem Productions and T.A.T. Communications and a partner of Norman Lear and Alan D. Yorkin. Following his graduation from UCLA, Mr. Perenchio served three years in the United States Air Force as an officer and pilot. After his Air Force service, Mr. Perenchio started his business career as a talent agent, first with Music Corporation of America then formed his own company, Chartwell Artists, which was the fifth largest talent agency in the world representing such stars as Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Andy Williams, Elton John, Johnny Mathis, as well as many others. Mr. Perenchio is currently a trustee of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and chaired the $200 million fundraising effort for the new Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in west Los Angeles. Mr. Perenchio has been a lifelong Republican and was a major contributor and fundraiser for George W. Bush, as well as other candidates of the Republican Party.

Now, let’s review what the McCain campaign bio didn’t mention.

Jerry Perenchio is the man who poured millions of dollars into fighting the California movement to teach schoolchildren English. Does John McCain share Perenchio’s zealous opposition to pro-English immersion initiatives? If he doesn’t, why does he have the nation’s leading opponent of pro-English immersion initiatives serving in the prestigious position of national campaign finance co-chair?

Perenchio aggressively bankrolled opposition to Prop. 227, which dismantled “bilingual education”–the oxymoronic program that holds foreign-language-speaking students hostage and forces them to maintain their native tongues instead of transitioning to English as quickly as possible–in 1998. He donated millions directly to the opponents and also donated millions of dollars in anti-227 “public service announcements” on Univision railing that “The dreams of millions of Hispanic families are being destroyed.” Despite Perenchio’s massive campaign to prop up language segregationism, the pro-English Prop. 227 won in a landslide:

Overcoming huge opposition, Proposition 227, the “English for the Children” initiative, won a landslide 61% victory at the polls. The measure dismantling California’s 30-year-old system of bilingual education for limited English children had consistently demonstrated widespread public appeal during its yearlong campaign, and was able to sustain that support against powerful political opposition by election day..

“We overcame enormous odds to win this victory,” declared Ron Unz, the Silicon Valley entrepreneur who chaired the 227 campaign. “Our initiative was opposed by the President of the United States. It was opposed by the Chairman of the state Republican Party and the Chairman of the state Democratic Party. It was opposed by all four candidates for Governor, Democrat and Republican alike. It was opposed by nearly all the state’s major newspapers and virtually every educational organization, large union, and establishment group. Our only strong support came from the people of California, but that was enough for victory.”

In the final weeks of the campaign, Republican billionaire A. Jerrold Perenchio, owner of the Univision Spanish-language television network, provided millions of dollars in cash and free air-time to the No on 227 campaign, which overall outspent the Yes campaign by a ratio of 20 to 1 in advertising. Despite this financial mismatch Proposition 227 passed by one of the widest margins in recent history, winning a larger percentage of the vote than any contested initiative since Proposition 13 in 1978.

Election results show that the measure carried 56 of California’s 58 counties. Campaign finance reports indicate that the Yes campaign spent about $550,000 (excluding signature-gathering costs), of which some $200,000 was spent on advertising, while the No campaign raised and spent $4.5 million, including nearly $4 million on advertising and voter contact. In addition, Mr. Perenchio’s television network provided an estimated $1 to 2 million in free air time for anti-227 editorials.

Perenchio also donated to opponents of Prop. 187, the California measure banning social services to illegal aliens. And he has given money to many soft-on-illegal immigration Democrats. In fact, before jumping ship to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s gubernatorial campaign, he was the largest individual campaign donor to Gray Davis–contributing at least $500,000 to the liberal Democrat. When voters demanded Davis’s recall after he pushed driver’s licenses for illegal aliens (among other failed policies), Perenchio chipped in another $50,000 to help Davis supporters fend off the measure. He also gave generously to Bill Richardson’s campaigns–$100,000 from him another $50,000 from his wife for the New Mexico Democrat governor’s failed presidential bid last year, plus about $167,000 from Perenchio and one of his companies to Richardson’s 2002 campaign.

Perenchio plays both sides.

And so does McCain. As the Washington Post reported last February, Perenchio is one of the elite donors McCain signed up to his presidential campaign finance committee–after crusading against Perenchio’s soft-money contributions:

Just about a year and a half ago, Sen. John McCain went to court to try to curtail the influence of a group to which A. Jerrold Perenchio gave $9 million, saying it was trying to “evade and violate” new campaign laws with voter ads ahead of the midterm elections.

As McCain launches his own presidential campaign, however, he is counting on Perenchio, the founder of the Univision Spanish-language media empire, to raise millions of dollars as co-chairman of the Arizona Republican’s national finance committee.

…Many of the top fundraisers that have signed up for John McCain’s presidential campaign have deep ties to the “soft-money” donations to political parties and 527 nonprofit political groups that McCain has fought to end.

SOFT-MONEY DONATIONS SINCE THE 1998 ELECTION
A. Jerrold Perenchio, chairman of the Spanish-language media giant Univision and a McCain national finance co-chairman: $11.3 million

Perenchio is also the president of the Chartwell Foundation. The Chartwell Foundation gave $100,000 to the McCain-founded Reform Institute (where McCain’s open borders Hispanic outreach director Juan Hernandez happens to serve as a Senior Fellow) under shady circumstances. As the WaPo noted, McCain co-chaired the Reform Institute in his drive to end big-money donations–while at the same time chairing the Senate Commerce Committee, which regulates broadcasters including Perenchio’s Univision, which had many issues pending before the government. Many other donors to the Reform Institute similarly sought legislative favors from McCain.

Yep. I spy with my little eye something that rhymes with schmypocrite.

With a green tint, to boot.

The Chartwell Foundation, turns out, is a major funder of fear-mongering environmental groups:

Funding To Activist Groups Total Donated Time Frame
Natural Resources Defense Council $90,000.00 1995 – 1999
Environmental Media Association $30,000.00 1997 – 2000
American Oceans Campaign $25,000.00 1996 – 1996

Not to mention a generous donor to Planned Parenthood and open-borders L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Remind me again which party’s presidential nomination John McCain is running for?

***

Update: Karl at Protein Wisdom compiles a long list of Jerry Perenchio’s Democrat beneficiaries.

Update: The New York Times roots for McCain and his “moderate” views on immigration. Three GOP polls in Florida show it too close to call in Florida. John Fund spotlights McCain’s criticism of Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito for wearing his conservatism on his sleeve. John McCain, on the other hand, prefers to wear his conservatism where the sun don’t shine. Juan Hernandez and Jerry Perenchio? Si! Sam Alito? No!

Update: Mark Krikorian puts heat on Juan Hernandez.

Posted in: John McCain, Open Borders Lobby

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#228852

On January 28th, 2008 at 2:37 pm, md1964 said:

At this point…if anyone doesn’t know yet that McCain is Running for President of Amero-Mexico…they probably shouldn’t vote, because they are too politically blind, deaf and dumb.
#228859

On January 28th, 2008 at 2:50 pm, ScottyDog said:

tgusa
The Radio spillover is so bad that I have to listen to Laura on the Internet.

After the Sun goes down, I cannot even hear the 50,000 watt John and Ken show anymore without La Bamba drowning them out from south of the border.

I blaim John McCain for allowing Univision and the others to get FCC licenses with his influence on the Senate Telecommunications Committee.
#228860

On January 28th, 2008 at 2:52 pm, tgusa said:

If I have said it once I have said it a thousand times this election is about the 60’s vs the 21st century just listen, Kennedy! King! Equality! Emote! Hmmm is this a do over I feel as if I have been here before? Not exactly, curiously they have changed the message of the 60’s, tune in turn on drop out (acid trip) and the accompanying, we need to get free of the man to we need to get free of the man by having the man give us more stuff, they call it… change (spare change perhaps?). I wish they would stick to their original message and tune in turn on and drop out. And never forget, Chuck Manson and his family were a product of that era as well. Yes they are counting on stuck on stupid, lets show em we’re no dummies. The emergence of various radical groups looking to tear America apart is the only thing that now and then have in common.
#228865

On January 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm, tgusa said:

Wow ScottyDog, I didn’t know it was that bad, circle the wagons before it is too late.
#228871

On January 28th, 2008 at 3:06 pm, blacktygrrrr said:

Ok, I get it…the brickbats are out for McCain. Being against McCain is not enough. People have to be for someone.

So I am going to plead with the entire Western World that is eligible to vote to support Rudy Giuliani.

I offered a full throttled endorsement of him today, and I am going to dial the phones tonight until my voice is hoarse.

Respectfully,

eric aka http://www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com
#228903

On January 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm, roadrage said:

I think we’ve already lost. Romney and Giuliani are not battling McCain – they’re actually battling the media, who have already pretty much declared McCain as the Republican nominee, even before the convention. While I respect and honor his military service, I think he’s completely unfit to be president. It doesn’t matter who wins the general election – the next president of the US will be the one to surrender us to the North American Union.
#228913

On January 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm, mngirl said:

On January 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm, MNUSMCDavid said:
MNgirl
Just great! Edwards is coming here to MN too…. aren’t we the lucky ones?

MNUSMCDAVID; have you signed up at mittromney.com? (they are way more reasonable than the Fred team was about not inundating you with email) A pretty cool request just came through from Team Mitt, on a video they are making to air in Minnesota. They need “supporter” participation.
#228914

On January 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm, fred5676 said:

On January 28th, 2008 at 11:22 am, Mr_Conservative_Cat said:
…
Ronald Reagan raised taxes in California as Governor, …

Half of the story is the same as a lie.
Reagan’s predecessor, Pat Brown, had the benefit of a slick accounting trick. In Brown’s last year, Calif. went from a cash basis to an accrual basis, thus Brown had 15 months income to balance his last 12 months of spending, just to balance the budget.

Reagan’s first year he was forced to raise taxes after Brown’s slick move. But 2 or 3 years later, Reagan RETURNED the surplus to the taxpayers instead of spending it. I know. I was there, and I got a refund check.

I got to vote for Reagan 4 times – twice as governor, and twice for president. Glad I did.
#228915

On January 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm, purplepeep said:

ThackerAgency said:
you don’t blame Romney for hiring illegals to work on his yard

There’s a big difference between not knowing a gardener is an illegal and McCain’s relentless drive (Americans stopped him last year, remember?) to eliminate America’s borders and hand the country the country over to illegals .
#228927

On January 28th, 2008 at 4:35 pm, fred5676 said:

Shamnesty ‘09 will be signed by Hillary, Obama, Edwards, McCain, Rudy, or Huck. Every one of them sympathizes with illegal aliens – and are poised to grant them ‘amnesty’ and a pathway to citizenship. They do NOT believe in law enforcement and attrition – a policy favored by both Rep. and Dem. electorate, and which is already working.

Just listen to their statements on in-state tuition, “we can’t penalize the children’, sanctuary cities and states, etc. Romney is the only hope (not a guarantee, but Tancredo believes him) to veto the bill.

If a Dem. is president, it will be easier to defeat it in Congress compared to McCain, Rudy, or Huck.

McCain, et al, are STEALING MY VOTE when the want to dilute it with the votes of 12 to 30 million law breakers.

I take offense at that. BIG offense.

McCain – get your hands off our ballot box!
#228953

On January 28th, 2008 at 5:34 pm, tgusa said:

If Romney grabs the mantle of anti illegal invader licenses/open borders in Ca he wins the state in a landslide. The Ca. republican assembly endorses Mitt and the statewide presidential endorsing convention agrees.
#228975

On January 28th, 2008 at 6:08 pm, Floyd R. Turbo said:

tgusa, I agree, and as fred5676 said above, Tancredo believes Mitt on immigration issues (Tancredo is a fellow Coloradan). I do also, and I’ve been leaning towards Mitt for some time now especially for his fiscal acuity and fiscal track record. Hopefully, he has the testicles to back it up before a normally beligerent Congress “when” he’s elected, beating the pants off of Barry. As I said back on my #89 post, the electorate needs to THINK, and RESEARCH, not react and think with emotions. Ignorance in these times can be fatal. That kind of ignorance gave us Billy Jeff. Twice. Barf.
#229003

On January 28th, 2008 at 6:48 pm, tgusa said:

Floyd,
Yes Tancredo is popular here too he is just an honest and decent guy anyone can tell that by listening to him speak. In my opinion the media have outfoxed themselves. They kept pushing Iraq as the humongous issue of the day. Iraq is an issue to be sure but to me, and I have seen a few wars Iraq is winding down we might as well throw a rock in to osama’s cave telling him to find another place (probably Africa) and try again if you dare. Well the big issue is immigration it was big the last time they tried to outfox us, more people not less people are aware of the issue because of that. I don’t know where the media is getting their analysis but it is screwy that’s for sure. The illegal issue is a loser with all of the dem sub groups even latinos themselves. They are putting the pedal to the metal the enemies of America that lurk in the shadows. So in spite of what agor sez, keep your lights on and don’t panic and we will win out in the end.
#229016

On January 28th, 2008 at 7:05 pm, Charles B. Simpson said:

Are the Republicans in Florida retarded? Why in God’s name are any of you conservative voters even thinking about McCain? If you vote McCain over the top in Florida on Tuesday know this; you all have went against El-Rushbo, Michelle, Reagan, and America.
#229045

On January 28th, 2008 at 8:03 pm, lonewolf said:

I don’t think I can take ten more months of politics. I wish I could go someplace without TV, radio or print media until November.

Since that is impractical, is there any way to get Fred Thompson back into this fracas?
#229048

On January 28th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

McCain calls Mitt liberal? ROFL – I just wet myself. Of course, McCain knows liberal. He sees it in the mirror every morning.
#229070

On January 28th, 2008 at 8:31 pm, Azygos said:

Mrs. Malkin,

I hope this is not outside your terms of use. I found this excellent blog with lots of information about the fight against illegal immigration in Arizona.

Arizona Resistance
#229288

On January 28th, 2008 at 11:26 pm, Random-American said:

And not one word by the mainstream media about the open-borders folks in McCain’s camp. I’m just shocked…shocked, I tell ya.