"When I got there, I committed to them that I wasn't going to give up" on the agents' cause, he said. "I also pledged that I wasn't going to back any candidate for president that wasn't going to commit to pardoning Ramos and Compean."
Since Rohrabacher also wants to support someone with a reasonable chance of winning, he might have a tough time finding a candidate. Mitt Romney is taking a stand on immigration now, but he may have waited too long to have any credibility.
"The one who I think has the most chance of becoming a legitimate leader on the issue of illegal immigration who also has a very reasonable chance of becoming president would be Fred Thompson," Rohrabacher said. Thompson has yet to formally announce his candidacy.
After the rally, Rohrabacher capped his day with his annual birthday party and fundraiser, this year at a Newport Beach home. A surf band, Skunk Baxter from the Doobie Brothers and venison chili were among the highlights.
Democrats' job opening
Republicans bill Orange County as "America's most Republican county," but that may not be what hampers local Democrats' search for a new executive director. O.C. Democratic Party Chairman Frank Barbaro said this week he's looking for a list of qualifications not many people can boast — knowing how to run an organization, handle fundraising and help building up party membership.
The last executive director, Mike Levin, won high praise from Barbaro in his eight months on the job, but he left in May to join a firm that makes renewable-energy products.
"It is a very demanding job that requires a lot of knowledge," Barbaro said. "It requires someone that can think very rapidly on their feet."
