THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:

Composer and pianist Vern Nelson does not have a crush on Democratic congressional candidate Debbie Cook, despite what his recent musical composition would have you believe.

Nelson, 48, played the piano and sang his multilingual political ballad “I’ve Got a Crush on Debbie Cook,” at a campaign event Saturday. The song is modeled after the popular YouTube video “I’ve Got a Crush on Obama,” but Nelson says that his song has more substance.

“Her song just talks about her sexual fantasies about Obama. [Mine] deals with issues,” Nelson said.

Nelson gradually got to know Cook through speaking at Huntington Beach City Council meetings, and has known her for about two years.

He thinks she has a serious chance to win the congressional seat held by Dana Rohrabacher for more than a decade.

“I had to explain to her husband that I don’t really have a crush on his wife,” Nelson said.

Cook’s communication director, Joe Shaw, says the tongue-in-cheek song talks about things going on in the 46th congressional district, in which Cook hopes to win the Democratic nomination in the June 3 primary. The song spans multiple genres including reggae, heavy metal and jazz and features sections in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

MOORLACH DEFENDS COUNTY MOVE TO DEFER BUILDING FEES

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach on Wednesday defended a move to give real estate developers in the county a one-year break from fees for developing housing construction.

The board voted unanimously Tuesday at Moorlach’s urging to give real estate developers in the county a one-year deferral from fees on housing construction. Critics say county officials did not study or talk about what economic effect the plan would have before the vote. Moorlach claims the plan will help stimulate the economy and have only a small effect on county revenue.

Building industry groups are pushing similar plans in cities and counties across the state in response to a troubled housing industry.

“We’re earning less than 3% interest on the building fees...why would you need to do a study?” Moorlach said. “...Is this going to change the world? Probably not. Hopefully it reflects a healthy partnership with developers.”

Moorlach said he hoped the deferment would boost county construction jobs and development plans.

PROFESSOR TO SPEAK ON IMMIGRATION REFORM

Louis DeSipio, a UCI political science professor and the Latino studies department chair, will speak today about America’s challenge in reforming our immigration policy.

The lecture is the last of the 2007-08 Dinner Club lecture series. He plans to focus on the stumbling blocks that have prevented Congress from dealing with the problem, and look forward to possible solutions for 2009 or 2010.

“I’m going to be asking why, with all the attention focused on immigration — the Minute Men, the legislature — we can’t find a solution,” DeSipio said.

It will take place in the University Club Library, which is listed as building 801 on the campus map at www.uci.edu/campusmap.

Dinner costs $40, and advanced reservations are required. For more info or to make a reservation, call Kathleen McDonald at 949-824-1659.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected]. BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].