THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:

When a group of Iranian Americans met with Barack Obama this week at the Balboa Bay Club, Melahat Rafiei, the executive director of the Orange County Democrats, took a particular interest in the conversation.

Rafiei, who was born in Iran and moved to California when she was 5, thinks it’s time for Iranian Americans to assert themselves politically.

“This community has been taken for granted,” she said. “And they’re partly to blame. They haven’t stepped up and voted.”

That’s changing, especially when you consider some of those who met with Obama paid $28,500, a contribution to the Democratic National Committee, to meet the Democratic presidential contender. Some of the group gave Obama $2,300, the maximum individual contribution you can give a presidential candidate in the general election. In all, they raised $250,000 for Obama.

“I felt like this community was not being represented. That’s why I got into politics,” Rafiei said. “There’s a lot of wealthy, highly educated people in the community, so they need to get involved.”

Rafiei recalled her parents weren’t happy about her decision to get into politics. That wasn’t an uncommon sentiment for Iranians.

“They don’t trust the government. It’s just not something you do,” she said.

That’s not surprising, given the politics they escaped when they came to the U.S. But though they mostly supported Hillary Clinton’s run for the White House, they’re warming up to Obama.

“He understands the importance of this community, and he’s not going to take them for granted,” she said.

So what did he tell his new supporters?

“He said we need to address rogue nations like Iran. Nobody is saying they should get leniency, but the concern is the rush to war.”

Obama stressed the importance of diplomacy and the avoidance of saber-rattling.

Apparently, they liked what he said. Obama made a point of shaking everyone’s hand and, according to Rafiei, “He gave everyone the Persian kiss on both cheeks.”

COOK’S FUNDS ‘A PLUS’

Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook has raised more money than Rep. Dana Rohrabacher for the second straight quarter, according to the Federal Election Commission, but the Rohrabacher campaign is not worried.

Since May 14 Cook has raised $93,000, about 18% more than Rohrabacher who raised $79,000 in the same period.

Cook’s campaign calls the funding push evidence of strong grassroots support and believes it signals a turn in the tides of the 46th district, which covers Costa Mesa and has elected Republican incumbent Rohrabacher for the past two decades.

“I don’t think that anyone anywhere in the country would expect a challenger to out-raise a 10-term incumbent congressman. That’s a plus, no matter how you look at it,” said Cook campaign spokesman Joe Shaw.

Despite Cook out-fundraising Rohrabacher in recent months, Rohrabacher has close to four times as much total cash on hand. His campaign says his views on taxes and immigration are more aligned with the residents of the cities in his district and that funding has not been as important in past races.

“History in this district has shown that money spent, let alone money raised, does not determine the outcome of these races,” said Rohrabacher campaign spokeswoman Phaedra Dugan.

Rohrabacher has been outspent by Democratic challengers before and he emerged victorious, Dugan said.

MYSTERY CANDIDATE

While much is known about four of the five people who have made their intentions known to run for Newport Beach City Council, one potential candidate is unheard of — even as a voter.

Ivan Moad, who picked up papers to run for City Council this week, could not be found in the voter registration system for Orange County. There was a voter registration listing, however, for an Ivan Moad in San Diego County. An Internet search reveals an Ivan Moad on Facebook; he’s listed in the “Orange County” and “San Diego Alum ’05” networks.

Mr. Moad, if you are reading this, go ahead and give the Daily Pilot a call — we would love to talk with you.