Stumping for Ferguson, North Calls for ‘Tidal Wave’ of Voters

NEWPORT BEACH —  Oliver L. North, the former National Security Council presidential aide during the Iran-Contra scandal, Saturday night called for conservatives to get out the vote in November.

“All over the world, even in Nicaragua, over 80% of the people that are able to cast a ballot do so,” the retired Marine lieutenant colonel told 250 supporters of Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach). “Here in America, less than half of those capable of voting did so in the 1988 election. . . . For our children’s sake, that must change.”

In his brief speech at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club, North said California can be a trend-setter for the nation on key political issues, such as limits on government spending.

“We have to start a tidal wave here in California that sweeps across this nation,” he said. “We all know we don’t need more government, we simply need better government. We don’t need higher taxes, we simply need more people with good jobs that are taxpayers.”

Warmly received by the crowd, North mentioned that Ferguson and his wife, Anita, had been instrumental in organizing fund-raisers for him when he faced mounting legal costs.

Ferguson, who in June beat challenger Phyllis Badham for the Republican nomination to the 70th District, is running against former county Democratic Party chairman Howard Adler in November. Adler has said he will not mount an expensive campaign and is not expected to pose much threat to the three-term incumbent.

This year alone, Ferguson has spent more than $130,000 for two races--his unsuccessful bid for the 31st District state Senate seat and the primary race against Badham. The assemblyman said he hopes the $250-a-ticket North event will raise more than $70,000 for his campaign.

The Assemblyman’s Ball, an annual affair, drew legislators from the Orange County Republican caucus. Among those attending the black-tie gala were Assemblymen Curt Pringle of Garden Grove, Robert C. Frazee of Carlsbad and Paul A. Woodruff of Yucaipa, state Sen. Don Rogers of Riverside and Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez.

North testified before Congress on allegations that the Ronald Reagan Administration illegally diverted public money to pay for military supplies for the Contra guerrillas fighting to overthrow the government of Nicaragua, and that arms were offered to Iran in exchange for U.S. hostages.

North was found guilty in May, 1989, of aiding and abetting the obstruction of Congress, destroying official documents and accepting an illegal gratuity.