Condi bows out (again)
The contributors to the FlashReport can breath a sigh of relief. As you know, our primary focus on 
this sight is California politics. Well, a Californian running for President would pretty much make us a national website! That said, the only Californian who has seriously been discussed as a candidate for the Presidency is Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice. (As a matter of fact, Dick Morris has written an entire book on her candidacy – oops.) Dr. Rice, in a speech yesterday, made it very clear that she does NOT want to seek the Presidency, or Vice Presidency for that matter. Rice was on the faculty and in the administration at Stanford University for years before being tapped first as W’s National Security Advisor, and then as SoS.
BIG BOND Cattle Call
As we mentioned in yesterday’s commentary, the Governor’s massive spending proposal has started a massive feeding-frenzy among Democrats in the state legislature. There is so much borrowing going on that now those interests that are not ‘traditional infrastructure’ are screaming for their share of the booty. The whole thing would be funny if it weren’t so sad. The reality is that these massive bonds should be DOA with two unified Republican caucuses committed to preventing the necessary two-thirds votes. But, our favorite axiom comes into play: No one has the ability to grow government more than a Republican Chief Executive. Sigh.
**Miss the commentaries from the weekend? Click here**
Leadership Race in Congress
The FR continues to keep some attention paid on this race, which we acknowledge is a stretch in terms of California politics. But the race is important because who replaces Tom DeLay will make a big difference. There has been a failure by the Republican leadership in Congress to meet what should be its primary objective – reducing the size and scope of the federal government. But worse than that is that there appears to be a failure to even try. Due to back-room wheeling and dealing, the all-important up or down votes on needed spending cuts never come to the floor. A gift from Tom DeLay is what I think is the DUMBEST tactic of ALL TIME — called the "Rule of 218" which simply says that leadership will not vote on a bill until they have 218 GOP votes to put up to pass it. 
Never mind the conservative Democrats, a number of who will be on board for cuts. This "Rule of 218" may as well be the liberal-Republican empowerment act. There are three candidates running for leader (don’t miss Steve Moore’s outstanding write-up on the main page), but the FlashReport has endorsed the candidacy of John Shadegg of Arizona. As a long-time member of the Republican Study Committee, the conservative group within the GOP caucus, his election would indicate a shift away from the status quo. We desperately need more aggressive leadership in the House — leadership that is willing to stand up for core GOP principles. I will close by sharing something that is indicative of the depth of the problem — when the news first broke about Tom DeLay’s indictment, I received dozens of e-mails from grassroots donors and activists who were excited that DeLay’s departure might mean the election of a conservative to that post. DeLay, of course, talks like a conservative. But….actions speak louder than words. No one doubts DeLay’s conservative ideology – but leadership means making a difference. And reducing the size and scope of the government is 95% of the grade. The Speaker and his team, including DeLay, have presided over GROWTH not reduction in the size of the federal government. And if they are fighting the good fight, well, they are doing it in some back room, away from the public eye, hamstringing themselves with lame rules. Enough on this for today.
Ralph Reed
I added a column from one of the DC papers today on how the Jack Abramoff Scandal is bruising up former Christian Coalition Executive Director and senior W backer Ralph Reed. He is running for Lt. Governor of Georgia, and now has a real problem on his hands. I brought in this article because of Dan Schnur’s post on this subject. The scandal of Jack Abramoff is only going to grow – this guy was ‘imbedded’ with conservatives for decades, none of them knowing that his moral compass was completely messed up!
Have a great Monday!
Jon
