I have had it confirmed from reliable sources that Michael Kamburowski, who was retained just months ago as the new COO of the California Republican Party has resigned. From what I hear, Kamburowski tendered his resignation after the San Francisco Chronicle broke the news this morning that he had been having "issues"regarding his immigration status, is party in a lawsuit against the government, that he briefly was a guest at a New York prison, etc.

Apparently Kamburowski never told his new employers about any of this.

I guess this leaves two questions to be answered:who will replace Kamburowski, and how much willthishurt newCRP Chairman/world travelerRon Nehring. Kamburowksi was a total outsider, never having worked in California, but had Nehring vouching for him to assauge concerns.… Read More

Let me make sure I have it straight. After I posted the other day on the CRP’s hiring of Chris Matthews as reported in the SF Chron, I get a PEED OFF phone call from a high-up in the State GOP (one that does not write for the FR), essentially ticked that I would repeat anything in that paper, and asking why I would purposely extend a prior week’s story into a second week.

My answer: Many were talking about it, but few were writing about it. It deserved to be vetted and debated. And, I believed I had provided both sides … and would let the commenters drive the debate. They did.

As well, I indicated to the caller that I would try to verify the story with them in the future.

Then, I get attacked on other blogs for a perceived defense of the CRP, when in actuality many wouldn’t have even known of the hirings without my FR posts.

Then, I put myself out there more by suggesting Ron Nehring wouldn’t hire anyone unqualified — citizen or not — and saying it looked like the CRP had followed the rules — like it or not about the non-citizens (which is also a legitimate debate).

Of course,… Read More

There is a major story in the San Francisco Chronicle that alleges that Michael Kamburowksi, the Chief Operating Officer of the California Republican Party, has had a storied history with his immigration status (he is an Austrailian citizen here in the U.S. with his green card), it seemed like I should at least comment on this briefly. Especially since it is being alleged that he was at one point imprisoned, and is currently litigating against our own federal government.

As an elected officer of the State GOP (Vice Chairman, South), there are personnel issues that may be involved and so I will keep my comments brief this morning.

Reading the Chronicle website at 7am this morning was the very first time that I had heard about any of these allegations. I have not yet been able to determine whether any or all of the allegations made in the story are true. I can assure all FR readers that Mr. Kamburowski did not disclose anything to the Board of Directors that even hinted at any of this stuff prior to our voting to retain his services.

I have reached out to CRP Chairman Ron Nehring to ascertain what he knew about any of this.… Read More

There is a major story in the San Francisco Chronicle that alleges that Michael Kamburowksi, the Chief Operating Officer of the California Republican Party, has had a storied history with his immigration status (he is an Austrailian citizen here in the U.S. with his green card), it seemed like I should at least comment on this briefly. Especially since it is being alleged that he was at one point imprisoned, and is currently litigating against our own federal government. As an elected officer of the State GOP (Vice Chairman, South), there are personnel issues that may be involved and so I will keep my comments brief this morning.

Reading the Chronicle website at 7am this morning was the very first time that I had heard about any of these allegations. I have not yet been able to determine whether any or all of the allegations made in the story are true. I can assure all FR readers that Mr. Kamburowski did not disclose anything to the Board of Directors that even hinted at any of this stuff prior to our voting to retain his services.

I have reached out to CRP Chairman Ron Nehring to ascertain what he knew about any of… Read More

Hope Springs Eternal?… Just when you thought the Bush Administration had completely annihilated any chance of Republicans winning the White House in 2008, and Ralph Nader lifts his siphon hose again.

Well, at least some folks are saying that. But, let’s not forget that after largely being considered the Gore spoiler in 2000, last go-round Democrats and Greens rejected him in spades and Nader garnered only one-third of one percent of the vote. That downward trajectory may continue to progress for the progressive.

We can laugh about Michael Bloomberg "leaving" the GOP all we want, but his potential clout would be superior to Nader’s in any vote siphoning scenario.

No, Nader or not, Republicans are going to have to win it on their own. That starts with the current Administration. And, that’s what I fear the most.

Sunroad San Diego… Scott Lewis in Voice of San Diego asked the essential question on Friday:

Now that everyone admits the city wrongfully approved the Sunroad… Read More

Last Halloween 20 to 30 Black youthattacked 3 whiteyoung women at a Halloween Party. 9 of ten eventually charged were found guilty. It was ruled a hate crime. The attack was vicious. Brain injuries, broken bones, not pretty. Many surgeries are to come for the victims. The Judge Gibson Lee then sentenced four of the convicted felons to Go Home on House arrest for 60 days, probation, community service and “tolerance" programs. And those were the tough sentences. If only Paris Hilton had been involved.

The family of the victims along with some activists from the area has launched a recall.

It will take more than getting signatures in that area to qualify. BTW Gibson Lee is a registered Republican. If you likeyou can download a petition here… Read More

It’s interesting how the Governor tends to make a bunch of his appointments at ‘closing time’ on Fridays. Why is that?

Well, yesterday was no exception. At the end of the day, Arnold announced the appointment of 26 new Superior Court Judges… So as an excercize in editing, here is a brief summary of them, broken down by county and political party of the appointee. Before I go on, let me drop the good news and the bad news on you. Nearly 2/3 of the new judges are Republicans, which is a significantly higher GOP percentage for the Governor than we have (unfortunately) gotten used to. But, many of these appointments are to smaller (and definately more Republican) Counties. We’ll keep an eye out on how his appointments in the big counties look in the near future… The bad news? Well, if you are from San Joaquin County, both of the new judges are from the party of Hillary Clinton. And if you are from the Republican County of San Bernardino… Somehow with six new judges appointed there, only two of them are Republicans… … Read More

It’s interesting how the Governor tends to make a bunch of his appointments at ‘closing time’ on Fridays. Why is that?

Well, yesterday was no exception. At the end of the day, Arnold announced the appointment of 26 new Superior Court Judges… So as an excercize in editing, here is a brief summary of them, broken down by county and political party of the appointee. Before I go on, let me drop the good news and the bad news on you. Nearly 2/3 of the new judges are Republicans, which is a significantly higher GOP percentage for the Governor than we have (unfortunately) gotten used to. But, many of these appointments are to smaller (and definately more Republican) Counties. We’ll keep an eye out on how his appointments in the big counties look in the near future… The bad news? Well, if you are from San Joaquin County, both of the new judges are from the party of Hillary Clinton. And if you are from the Republican County of San Bernardino… Somehow with six new judges appointed there, only two of them are Republicans… … Read More