John Peschong is a Senior Advisor to the McCain for President Campaign here in California… As I watched last night’s presidential debate at the Reagan Library, it became crystal clear to me that among the ten Republicans on stage, there was only one with both the experience and the energy needed in our next commander-in-chief: Senator John McCain.

John McCain’s record in public service is well-known by now: with 22 years in the Navy and 20 years in the Senate, he is clearly the candidate best prepared to serve as President. And with newly released polling data showing him leading in the pivotal early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, Senator McCain entered the night strongly positioned to win the Republican nomination.

And yet, I didn’t see Senator McCain rest on his laurels for one second. In fact, he distinguished himself from the rest of the field by passionately addressing head on the most pressing issues our country faces. In doing so, he sounded Reaganesque and looked presidential.

When… Read More

Roy Tyler is the Communications Director for the Duncan Hunter for President campaign… On MSNBC last night, California Rep. Duncan Hunter was center stage with nine other candidates for a debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Hunter illustrated tonight that he indeed has inherited the mantle of Ronald Reagan. Moderator Chris Matthews said everybody knew where Ronald Reagan stood. Everybody knew where Hunter stood tonight. He was the paradigm of assertiveness. While McCain and Giuliani equivocated on the issue of abortion, Hunter was firm about pro-life beliefs. While Romney was uncertain how to respond to the question of Iran Hunter was certain about what to do. Romney wavered about federal funding for stem cell research Hunter was absolute. Unlike McCain, Hunter does not pander about his faith and try to walk a fine line. He was definitive about his… Read More

Tony Strickland is Co-Chairman of the Romney for President Campaign in California… Tonight at the Reagan Library, Governor Romney clearly showed why he has earned my backing in his bid to become the next President. No other candidate has the outside perspective we need to restore conservative principles to Washington. He successfully introduced himself to voters who may not already know him as the only candidate who can bring real change to government.

Voters learned tonight that with Governor Romney’s strong leadership, there is no problem America cannot solve. He has a clear record of real experience turning around troubled companies and organizations, and he will bring that same proven leadership to our nation’s capitol.

Here are some of the ways Governor Romney set himself apart from the other candidates at the Reagan Library:

He clearly discussed … Read More

California Congessman David Dreier is a supporter of Rudy Giuliani.. Rudy Giuliani kicked off last night’s debate with an emphasis on optimism. It was an entirely appropriate emphasis given the setting of the Reagan Library. As Rudy said, President Reagan led with optimism and on the strengths of this great country. Over the course of the debate, Rudy demonstrated he is the candidate that can lead as Reagan did, with optimism and strength.

I believe Rudy can win California and the election in 2008. The polls look the way they do for a reason. Rudy’s lead is real and last night we saw why. He was thoughtful. He was authentic. And he made clear that he plans to take the Reagan conservative principles he used to tackle crime, cut taxes and provide forward looking leadership to the White House.

Legitimately putting California in play for our Republican nominee will be… Read More

Today we feature a good amount of coverage on last night’s GOP Presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. We have post debate ‘spin’ from representatives of the three ‘front-runner’ candidates — Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney — as well as a note from Duncan Hunter’s campaign. As of my writing this, a couple of members of our FR team have penned their observations over on the blog page, and we, of course, feature on the main page an extensive listing of articles from around California (and a few nationally) about the debate. I will make a few general observations about the debate.

With the field of candidates so wide (ten), there was not enough time in an hour-long debate for any one candidate to really take command and leave this debate in a substantially better position than before. I was really impressed with Sam Brownback’s performance. That was the most notable surprise to me. I think … Read More

Today we feature a good amount of coverage on last night’s GOP Presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. We have post debate ‘spin’ from representatives of the three ‘front-runner’ candidates — Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney — as well as a note from Duncan Hunter’s campaign. As of my writing this, a couple of members of our FR team have penned their observations over on the blog page, and we, of course, feature on the main page an extensive listing of articles from around California (and a few nationally) about the debate. I will make a few general observations about the debate.

With the field of candidates so wide (ten), there was not enough time in an hour-long debate for any one candidate to really take command and leave this debate in a substantially better position than before. I was really impressed with Sam Brownback’s performance. That was the most notable surprise to me. I think … Read More

By the magic of TIVO, I joined the debate fun a few hours after all the hoopla had already beenwrapped up. For while in the world of us politicos Thursday was a big day – akin maybe to the dual characteristics of sloppiness and potential that define NFL Training Camp or Baseball Spring Training – it also marked the 56th Annual National Day of Prayer, something that for me put all the political stuff in its rightful context.

Up in my neck of the woods, a great event marking the occasion was organized by two local conservative leaders, Dan Kirby and Peter Amundson – Councilmembers of Monrovia and Arcadia respectively. The guest speaker was my friend Captain Tim Escobar, fresh back from flying attack helicopters and training Iraqi forces. I had forgotten what a commanding speaker Tim was, and found myself pleasantly captivated by his weaving of history, storytelling, and offering a compelling message, all seamlessly.

Tim offeredhis takeof why we’re there, why we can’t leave until the job is done, and how America is changing perceptions of the West and of Christian nations by giving the Iraqis something they’ve never had: hope.

Coming home… Read More

Tonight’s debate was like watching an NFL training camp in it’s early weeks of the summer. Some of the players obviously had the tools to survive the first rounds of cuts in the money primary and early primaries and caucuses while others had trouble showing the crowd they belong at this level of the game. Here is how I saw the players and their performances as if they were fighting to win the job of Republican Quarterback.

Ron Paul: Obvously the first cut. The libertarian stuff can be cute sometimes but his archaic foreign policy views and no national following of consequence mean it’s time to run for re-election to the House. Looked a little too much like Ross Perot for my comfort.

Tommy Thompson: There was a time when Tommy had tools and would have been intriguing as a candidate coming to camp. Unfortunately for him, it’s been a long time since he’s played at the level that would make you think hard about keeping him on the squad. Boring. He’ll be lucky to make it to the first states.

Fred Thompson: Currently absent from camp and has been placed on the "Did Not Report" List. Hard to win… Read More