Most of us recognize a media hit piece when we read it.

     

Such was the case this weekend, when Mercury News columnist Scott Herhold portrayed Santa Clara Councilman and Assembly Candidate Dominic Caserta as an out of control spender of public funds.

     

Like most columns designed to influence public thinking, this one had to dig pretty deep to ferret out even the most miniscule mistakes and place them in headline form.

     

Excess cell phone usage?

     

Excess auto mileage charges?

     

Campaign funds being used at a charity auction?

     

When Caserta took office as a City Councilman in Santa Clara he was one of the youngest public officials in Santa Clara records.

     

Did he make some mistakes?

     

Certainly!

     

Did he correct them when they were pointed out by City Staff?

     

Yes!

     

Was Caserta a bit young and naive?

     

Absolutely!

     

Has he continued to make the same ones again?

     

Not from what we have seen.

     

Caserta is a quick study and intensive learner. He has gained a lot of maturity in his six years on Santa Clara City Council.

     

Learning the ropes politically is one thing he has become skilled at.

     

Making mistakes is the legacy of a person who gets things done. The person who doesn’t make mistakes usually isn’t doing anything.

     

Has any mistake Caserta made professionally deserve a condemning sentence to the pit of politically casualties?

     

Absolutely not!

     

Consider for a moment the mistakes made by some of our long time high profile members of Congress. For these pillars of justice, truth and equality there is no excuse. They had been around for decades, knew the law and thought they were above it.

     

Attacking a low profile, hard working freshman candidate like Caserta can only be an attempt at discrediting his intentions and integrity.

     

Caserta’s mistakes were minuscule not major. Early on his exuberance and youth was a contributor to those mistakes.

     

With some seasoning from the school of hard rocks and political attacks, he has learned quickly to seek advice, council and direction from political allies.

     

The concept of writing a hit piece on a politician is not a new idea. The idea of scrounging for old news on a youthful political freshman is.

     

Caserta has demonstrated a desire to operate with a great deal of care mixed with his vigor as he forges forward in capturing the campaign for Assembly.

     

His energy and passion on issues for our community is a benefit to Santa Clara citizens and he will continue that drive for us in Sacramento.