According to Rob Norton, Forbes magazine economics editor, “The law of unintended consequences, often cited but rarely defined, is that actions of people—and especially of government—always have effects that are unanticipated or unintended. Economists and other social scientists have heeded its power for centuries; for just as long, politicians and popular opinion have largely ignored it.”
One of those people could be Burbank Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Adam Schiff.
In his quest to become California’s next U.S. Senator, Schiff has spent a mint to promote the candidacy of Republican former Major League Baseball player Steve Garvey, under the assumption that Garvey would be easy to defeat in November.
Data from Ad Impact shows that 60 percent of Schiff’s recent broadcast airings have mentioned Garvey, as Schiff and his allies have spent more than $11 million on the airwaves elevating Garvey’s profile.
And, it worked. As of this writing, the two candidates are running neck and pencil-neck in Tuesday’s results, with Schiff at 33.2 percent of the vote and Garvey at 32.4 percent.
I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. Steve Garvey made the All Star team 10 times during his 19-year baseball career. The guy knows how to round-up votes.
Given the fact that California is a deeply blue state and hasn’t elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since the 1980s, Schiff’s calculation is probably right; and he will likely be the Golden State’s next U.S. Senator.
But, maybe not.
During a discussion on Fox 11’s ‘The Issue Is,’ host Elex Michaelson and Puck News’ Peter Hamby surmised that, “Garvey’s lack of taking positions in the primary may turn out to help him in a potential one-on-one with Schiff. He hasn’t boxed himself in on a conservative agenda that doesn’t sell well with the broader electorate.”
They’re right. Let’s face it, the most controversial position Steve Garvey ever took was first base for the Padres.
They also warned not to “underestimate Garvey’s baseball connection with the oldest generation…the one that votes in the highest numbers. He’s not a random Sacramento Assemblyman. Before he talked politics, Garvey was a hero who won the World Series. He reminds certain people of a simpler time.”
Also true. Steve Garvey retired from baseball with a lifetime batting average of .294, 2,599 hits, and 1,309 RBI’s. Adam Schiff retired from the Remove Trump from Office business with a lifetime record of 0-2.
And the two noted that despite Schiff’s massive advantage, “in politics…like in baseball…sometimes surprises happen! The team with the most money and the biggest stars don’t always win. That’s why they play the game…”
I would also add that come November, the state of California could very well be operating in some state of chaos, thanks to the failed leadership of our Democratic super majorities.
For starters, we are broke. As of today, the state has a projected $73 billion budget deficit, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office.
The southern border is a wide-open mess at the same time that state lawmakers are dangling free health care to people in the country illegally.
And if the fighting in Gaza doesn’t end, pro-ceasefire Democrats, who, in the primary were largely courted by Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee, may not turn out for Adam Schiff, who is widely-regarded as being staunchly pro-Israel.
They already crashed his election night party and disrupted his victory speech.
While it’s true that Steve Garvey is no policy wonk, if the condition of the state becomes bad enough, looking earnestly into the camera and telling voters, ‘I didn’t do this to you’ might be compelling enough of an argument for some people.
I know it is for me.
Adam Schiff got the November opponent he wanted. Now we will find out if he should be careful what he wished for.
John Phillips can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on “The John Phillips Show” on KABC/AM 790.