Exclusive Interview with PurePolitics.com

September 8, 2003

Today, PurePolitics.com requested an email interview from Jason Gastrich.  It will be posted on their site and provided to media outlets.  Here is the transcript.

Q: You're among the younger gubernatorial candidates running. What are you doing differently to get noticed by voters of all ages?

A: I've been highlighted by "Party Y" and will be participating in their hosted debates. These debates will be at UC Berkeley on September 15 and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on September 16.

These debates will highlight the candidates that are under 30 years old. They should be quite exciting, so I encourage you to come and hear them. Plus, I also encourage the media to come and cover them.

Q: One of the things you've done differently on your website that none of the others have is include a song about the recall. How did you come up with the idea?

A: I'm a Christian, worship leader, song writer, and singer. I've been playing the guitar for 9 years and I'm also a guitar instructor. About a month ago, I was convicted to hone these talents and get more serious about playing, learning new songs, and recording them. I decided to take 50 days and play, sing, and record 50 songs that glorified God. These can be found at http://jcsm.net/50PC/50Songs.htm.

As I was recording my daily song, I realized that I should use my God-given talents to write a fun song about the recall. Consequently, "The Recall Song" was born! Like most of my original songs, it came very quickly - the music and the lyrics. It was even recorded on one of the first tries.

I remember calling my wife in the room to let her hear the song. She figured it was my daily, praise song! Boy was she surprised. We both had a good laugh, though.

I gave a press release that night (Friday) and FOX news called me on Saturday to set up an interview and have me play the song in their studio. On Sunday, I visited their studio and they recorded me playing the song. They got some of my biographical details wrong and didn't do a very good job reporting it, but I was thankful that it got played on TV. I learned something important from that experience: talk to the producer and get something in writing!

Q: What issue are you most passionate about? What other issues do you think are important?

A: I'm passionate about many things. First, I'm a firm believer that Californians need to be lawful citizens that respect one another and God. Lawlessness is the #1 problem in the state and if the majority of citizens would obey the law, we wouldn't be in a budget crisis.

Illegal aliens are a huge problem. Note the word "illegal." When we stop spending billions on illegals and secure our borders from illegal intruders, this will put a big dent in the budget problem. Plus, we need to penalize those people that are employing illegals. In short, we need more lawfulness in order to succeed; and this is a simple, biblical principle, but it has been ignored and trampled.

The books need to be audited. I've been contacted by organizations that want me to sue Gray Davis. I will investigate that books and determine whether or not that action is necessary. If there hasn't been illegal spending, there surely has been foolish spending.

Q: What is your goal if elected governor?

My goal is to restore the state and help it prosper, again. I'll repeal the car tax. I will balance the budget and I'll do this without raising taxes. I've signed "The No New Taxes Pledge" and you can see it here: http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/nonewtaxes/govcandidates.htm.

I will bring a strong sense of morality and integrity to Sacramento. I'm a Christian minister and a public servant. I've listened to others and served them for many years. I'm in touch with the people and their basic needs. I'm hoping and praying that God will have me serve the state as Governor because I am determined to do everyone a lot of good and surround myself with only the best, wisest, godliest advisors.

Q: What is the reaction you have usually heard from people about your campaign?

A: I've heard it all. Some people are very happy that I'm running. They wish me well and tell me that I have their vote. Others, unfortunately, have decided to check their brains at the door, embrace the "two party system" and vote for the person that believes in half of the things they believe in.

I used to be guilty of this same thing, so I have a lot of patience for those that follow this paradigm. However, for this special election, I'm hoping that the voters take the time to investigate the serious candidates and avoid voting for the front-runners simply because they might have a better chance of winning. That's not making good on your vote. That's compromising your integrity.

Q: What do you believe will be the most difficult challenge in running during what is really the last month before the election?

A: The most difficult challenge may be simply campaigning all over the state. I'm traveling all over California to speak, debate, and campaign. This is the time when I need to finish strong, work extra hours, and do my very best.

The press has been extremely disappointing. For the most part, they hone in on two or three candidates and ignore the rest. This is terrible reporting. It is painfully obvious that the ones with the most money are getting noticed the most. I've met some awesome people that are running for Governor. If the media hasn't, then it is their fault and it is to their detriment.

I recorded a TV ad that is getting aired on public access in Los Angeles on Saturday mornings. Arnold recorded several TV ads that get aired on prime time and on major stations.

I recorded a radio ad that is getting aired in the inland valley to under a million people. McClintock recorded a radio ad that is getting aired to millions of people on major, radio stations.

Incidentally, you can see and hear those ads on my web site - http://jasongastrich.com. Unfortunately, this race is about money; not just the budget crisis, but the ones with the money are getting heard the most. This doesn't seem very fair, so I hope the system and the media improve and focus on the people with the best ideas and the best, foundational beliefs and not simply the ones with the most money.

Lastly, I do want to give God all of the credit. I'm a firm believer in Jesus Christ and He is my Lord and Savior. Once the citizens in this state and the state government return to sound, biblical values (e.g. lawfulness, morality, integrity, etc.), it will thrive, again.

If it's God's will that I become the next Governor, then I'll gladly accept the challenge and give everything I have. No matter what, I pray the best for the people of the great state of California and I'll always be a public servant that is fully dedicated to them.

Sincerely,
Jason Gastrich
3219 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #212
Pasadena, CA
1-877-732-5360