We talk about how 2010 is going to be the "It Year" for politics — and it’s already started. Between the policy changes facing Sacramento including a projected $20 billion shortfall (and those predictions always seem to be low), and what will be a staggering year for politics – what, with Gubernatorial, U.S. Senate and down ticket races, and an expectation of a few thousand ballot measures qualifying for November, there will be no shortage of material to write about here on FR.
But not to be missed as a critical happening in 2010 will be the outcome of legislative elections up and down California. Right now Democrats enjoy a 25-15 majority in the Senate, just two shy of the 2/3 vote necessary to pass taxes increases, and in the Assembly Democrats sit at 51 seats, just three shy of the 2/3 mark.
There is no doubt that Senate President Darrell Steinberg, and Assembly Speakers Bass and Perez, along with their public employee union allies will be working overtime to try and pick up those five critical seats.
There are a several factors that stand in their way, not the least of which is that 2010 is shaping up to be a good Republican year. But the other big factor has been the political effectiveness of the team of Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth and Assembly Republican Leader Sam Blakeslee.
Despite both having ascended to the leadership posts in awkward situations, with their predecessors having had to shuffle out of leadership after negotiating a budget deal that contained the largest tax increase in the history of any state, both have stepped up big-time.
But each of their sudden entry into leadership has not stopped their ability to be effective. In fact, in the off year, I’m told they raised $5.1 million — which would be a record amount for Republican leadership at this stage of the election cycle. As we all know, early money is important both for raising more money (success begets success) — but early dollars are also important for all of the other significant activities that need to take place from the outset (voter registration, candidate recruitment and vetting, opposition research, and campaign staffing).
The point of participating in elections, of course, is to win them. And while sound policy and solid candidates are essential — you cannot take candidates across the finish line without money. It is money that, as former House Speaker Jesse Unruh said, is the "mother’s milk" of politics. By raising a record amount of money, Dennis Hollingsworth and Sam Blakeslee have demonstrated a commitment to winning. 
What could be more exciting than 2010 when Democrats will have the massive spending orgy of Congress and this President wrapped around their necks like an anchor weighing them down, and Sacramento Democrats in tone-deaf style calling for tax increases — and Republicans going into a fall campaign with a well funded Republican Party?
Yes, hold onto your seats because 2010 is going to be the year when everyone goes "all in" and the stakes are high. If Democrats are victorious, then look for an assault on our freedom and liberty like you’ve never seen before. If Republicans win, however, look for some protectors in Sacramento, who understand the proper, limited role for government at every level.